From Broadway To 52nd Street
On October 19, 1938 the musical Knickerbocker Holiday opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre starring Walter Huston, Ray Middleton, Richard Kollmer and Jeanne Madden. The play ran for 168 performances with music composed by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson. From the musical came the jazz standard September Song.
The Story: As he is writing the history of New York, Washington Irving seems to wander back to the 17th century just as New Amsterdam is awaiting the arrival of Peter Stuyvesant. The town council seeks to divert the new governor from its corruption and ineptitude by staging a hanging of a rebellious young man named Brom.
Brom has brashly asked for the hand in marriage of Tina, one of the councilor’s daughters. Stuyvesant pardons Brom but refuses him marriage to Tina. Stuyvesant decides to marry Tina, prompting Brom to rouse the citizens against the governor. Sensing the way the political winds are blowing, the governor backs down, his decision aided by Irving’s warning for him to consider his place in history.
Broadway History: While Broadway is experiencing both success and failure, Hitler takes control of the army and marches into Austria; Joe Louis takes the heavyweight championship title from Nathan Mann followed by a first round KO of Max Schmeling; the first play is telecast with the original cast of Susan and God; the Yankee Clipper completes its first cross Atlantic flight; Howard Hughes flies around the world in 91 hours; and instant coffee is invented.
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