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How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
Marty and Cindy review one of the 60’s best screen musicals about the farce of corporate advancement.
FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD
The Broadway production opened October 14, 1961, ran 1,417 performances, and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor for Robert Morse. It also won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize in Drama—only the fourth musical to receive that honor.
Robert Morse, Rudy Vallee, Ruth Kobart, Sammy Smith, and Michele Lee all recreated their Broadway roles for the film. It was Michele Lee's feature film debut.
The Mirisch Company paid $1,000,000 for the film rights in 1964; total production costs reached approximately $2.5 million.
THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL
Shepherd Mead's satirical self-help book was published by Simon and Schuster in 1952—a genuine career-advice parody that mocked the genre while participating in it. The jokeworks because the advice isn't entirely unlike what real business books of the era offered.
CASTING AND CHARACTERS
Tony Curtis expressed interest in playing Finch in 1964, though he was nearly 40. Dick Van Dyke was briefly considered but dismissed the idea himself. Tony Randall was considered for the book's narrator voice; the role went to Carl Princi.
Finch states he is 27 in the film. Robert Morse was 36 during production.
The character's name, J. Pierrepont Finch, nods to J. Pierpont Morgan. The VP of Advertising's name, Benjamin Burton Daniel Ovington, spells BBDO—a real advertising agencygiant. Biggley's desk is shaped like a question mark.
THE SONGS
All of Rosemary's solo songs were cut. To compensate, Michele Lee was given a full version of "I Believe in You" earlier in the film, making Finch's washroom performance the reprise.
"Coffee Break" was filmed but cut due to Radio City Music Hall's strict two-hour limit. The footage was subsequently lost—the song survives only on the soundtrack album.
"I Believe in You" was the score's only genuine hit, recorded by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Bobby Darin, and Dionne Warwick. It appeared on the AFI's 2004 nominees for Greatest Songs in American Film History.
BOB FOSSE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Bob Fosse's Broadway choreography was retained rather than replaced—unusual for Hollywood adaptations. His style is visible throughout: turned-in knees, corporate precision, human bodies conforming to institutional geometry.
The "Brotherhood of Man" finale—a gospel revival erupting immediately after the board votes to destroy Finch—is the film's choreographic centerpiece.
Fosse's film directing debut came later with Sweet Charity (1969); by 1973 he won the Oscar, Tony, and Emmy in the same year—the only person ever to do so.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
The World Wide Wicket exterior was the Union Carbide Building at 270 Park Avenue, demolished in 2021.
The film was shot in widescreen (2.35:1) by cinematographer Burnett Guffey, with visual gags contributed by cartoonist Virgil Partch. The score was conducted by Nelson Riddle.
CULTURAL REFERENCES
The original book was serialized in Playboy—hence Gatch's line "I really have to stop reading Playboy."
Ponty's reference to "unrigged" game shows nods to the 1957–58 game show scandal.
George Fenneman, the TV host in the film, was the real-life announcer onGroucho Marx's You Bet Your Life.
In the stage tradition, Twimble and Wally Womper are played by the same actor. Sammy Smith, who originated both roles on Broadway, does so here as well.
LEGACY
The film failed to recoup its investment despite critical praise and holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Broadway revivals starred Matthew Broderick (1995) and Daniel Radcliffe (2011). The 1987 film The Secret of My Success and the 1988 Working Girl both revisit similar themes.
Tucker Smith (Ice in West Side Story) and Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies each appear in uncredited roles.
Email: [email protected]
Website: ThePodTalk.Net
YouTube: YouTube.com/@FadeToChat
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By Marty JenciusMarty and Cindy review one of the 60’s best screen musicals about the farce of corporate advancement.
FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD
The Broadway production opened October 14, 1961, ran 1,417 performances, and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actor for Robert Morse. It also won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize in Drama—only the fourth musical to receive that honor.
Robert Morse, Rudy Vallee, Ruth Kobart, Sammy Smith, and Michele Lee all recreated their Broadway roles for the film. It was Michele Lee's feature film debut.
The Mirisch Company paid $1,000,000 for the film rights in 1964; total production costs reached approximately $2.5 million.
THE BOOK THAT STARTED IT ALL
Shepherd Mead's satirical self-help book was published by Simon and Schuster in 1952—a genuine career-advice parody that mocked the genre while participating in it. The jokeworks because the advice isn't entirely unlike what real business books of the era offered.
CASTING AND CHARACTERS
Tony Curtis expressed interest in playing Finch in 1964, though he was nearly 40. Dick Van Dyke was briefly considered but dismissed the idea himself. Tony Randall was considered for the book's narrator voice; the role went to Carl Princi.
Finch states he is 27 in the film. Robert Morse was 36 during production.
The character's name, J. Pierrepont Finch, nods to J. Pierpont Morgan. The VP of Advertising's name, Benjamin Burton Daniel Ovington, spells BBDO—a real advertising agencygiant. Biggley's desk is shaped like a question mark.
THE SONGS
All of Rosemary's solo songs were cut. To compensate, Michele Lee was given a full version of "I Believe in You" earlier in the film, making Finch's washroom performance the reprise.
"Coffee Break" was filmed but cut due to Radio City Music Hall's strict two-hour limit. The footage was subsequently lost—the song survives only on the soundtrack album.
"I Believe in You" was the score's only genuine hit, recorded by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Bobby Darin, and Dionne Warwick. It appeared on the AFI's 2004 nominees for Greatest Songs in American Film History.
BOB FOSSE AND CHOREOGRAPHY
Bob Fosse's Broadway choreography was retained rather than replaced—unusual for Hollywood adaptations. His style is visible throughout: turned-in knees, corporate precision, human bodies conforming to institutional geometry.
The "Brotherhood of Man" finale—a gospel revival erupting immediately after the board votes to destroy Finch—is the film's choreographic centerpiece.
Fosse's film directing debut came later with Sweet Charity (1969); by 1973 he won the Oscar, Tony, and Emmy in the same year—the only person ever to do so.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
The World Wide Wicket exterior was the Union Carbide Building at 270 Park Avenue, demolished in 2021.
The film was shot in widescreen (2.35:1) by cinematographer Burnett Guffey, with visual gags contributed by cartoonist Virgil Partch. The score was conducted by Nelson Riddle.
CULTURAL REFERENCES
The original book was serialized in Playboy—hence Gatch's line "I really have to stop reading Playboy."
Ponty's reference to "unrigged" game shows nods to the 1957–58 game show scandal.
George Fenneman, the TV host in the film, was the real-life announcer onGroucho Marx's You Bet Your Life.
In the stage tradition, Twimble and Wally Womper are played by the same actor. Sammy Smith, who originated both roles on Broadway, does so here as well.
LEGACY
The film failed to recoup its investment despite critical praise and holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Broadway revivals starred Matthew Broderick (1995) and Daniel Radcliffe (2011). The 1987 film The Secret of My Success and the 1988 Working Girl both revisit similar themes.
Tucker Smith (Ice in West Side Story) and Robert Osborne of Turner Classic Movies each appear in uncredited roles.
Email: [email protected]
Website: ThePodTalk.Net
YouTube: YouTube.com/@FadeToChat