Between the Devil
Between the Devil | ||
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Book Howard Dietz | | |
Productions | 1937 Broadway |
Between the Devil is a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Howard Dietz and music by Arthur Schwartz.
Production and background
The musical opened in pre-Broadway tryouts in
The show was only a moderate success but introduced the songs "By Myself" and "Triplets", both of which were used 16 years later in the 1953 film, The Band Wagon, which also starred Buchanan. The song "By Myself" was also covered by Leonard Nimoy 14 years after the movie (and included on his second album Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy) in 1968. It was also recorded by Polly Bergen in 1958.
Songs
Act I
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Act II
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Critical response
In The New York Times, reviewer Brooks Atkinson praised the performers, with Buchanan distinguishing himself in the solo 'By Myself', Miss Laye "still retains her ranking as a blonde goddess", and Miss Dixon "stimulating in a more earthly style of conquest". He wrote of the musical: "If it were not for the book, 'Beyond the Devil' would probably look and sound as frisky as it pretends to be. But, oh these bigamists! Oh, these wicked Parisian chanteuses! Oh, these improper situations! Oh!"[2]
References
- ^ "Theatre: New Musicals in Manhattan: Jan. 3, 1938". Time, January 3, 1938.
- ^ Atkinson, Brooks. "The Play", The New York Times, December 23, 1937, p. 24