What do McCarthyism, Charlie Chaplin, I Love Lucy, Catfish, Sister Act, Andrew Cunanan, John & Yoko, and the Caroline, or Change extended universe have to do with Bells Are Ringing, The Most Happy Fella, and Li’l Abner? That’s for us to know and you to find out.

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Works referenced/cited:

Bloom, Ken, and Frank Vlastnik. Broadway Musicals: the 101 Greatest Shows of All Time. Black Dog & Leventhal Pubs., 2010.

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Loesser, Susan. A Most Remarkable Fella: Frank Loesser and the Guys and Dolls in His Life: a Portrait by His Daughter. Hal Leonard, 2000.

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Propst, Andy. They Made Us Happy: Betty Comden and Adolph Greens Musicals & Movies. Oxford University Press, 2019.

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Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: 'Bells Are Ringing' for Judy Holliday; Overcomes Antiquated Plot at Shubert Actress Flies High in New Musical Show.” The New York Times, 30 Nov. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: Loesser's Fine Music Drama; 'The Most Happy Fella' Opens at Imperial.” The New York Times, 4 May 1956.

Schumach, Murray. “MOLDING 4 MUSICAL; Discussing the Birth Of 'The Most Happy Fella' HOW 'THE MOST HAPPY FELLA' WAS REARED Search Ended Orchestra.” The New York Times, 29 Apr. 1956.

Millstein, Gilbert. “The Greater Loesser; The Composer-Lyricist-Author of 'Most Happy Fella' Gives Musical Comedy the Once-over-Seriously.” The New York Times, 20 May 1956.

Jr., Fred H. Diekmann. “DRAMA MAILBAG; Some Pro and Con Views on 'The Most Happy Fella' and 'Waiting for Godot'.” The New York Times, 13 May 1956.

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Green, Jesse. “Theater Review: The Happy Return of The Most Happy Fella.” Vulture, 3 Apr. 2014.

Brantley, Ben. “Uncorking a Napa Vintage for a Toast to Adult Romance.” The New York Times, 3 Apr. 2014.

Gussow, Mel. “Stage: The Most Happy Fella'.” The New York Times, 12 Oct. 1979.

Rich, Frank. “Review/Theater: The Most Happy Fella; Basic Feelings, Soaring Songs.” The New York Times, 14 Feb. 1992.

Tommasini, Anthony. “Frank Loesser's 'Most Happy Fella,' at Dicapo Opera.” The New York Times, 9 Mar. 2012.

Rich, Frank. “Review/Theater; Rethought, Refined and Revived: Goodspeed's 'Most Happy Fella'.” The New York Times, 30 May 1991.

Richards, David. “SUNDAY VIEW; A 'Happy Fella' With Less Offers More.” The New York Times, 2 June 1991.

Foran, Chris. “'Li'l Abner,' Al Capp Were Bigger than Life — until They Weren't.” Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel , 21 Apr. 2016.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: 'Li'l Abner'.” The New York Times, 16 Nov. 1956.

Atkinson, Brooks. “Theatre: Roz Russell.” The New York Times, 1 Nov. 1956.

Benjamin, Lois. “QUICK-CHANGE ARTIST.” The New York Times, 5 May 1957.

Atkinson , Brooks. “Theatre: 'Shangri-La'; Musical Based on Book by Hilton Opens.” The New York Times, 14 June 1956.

“LI'L ABNER SENDS A LETTER HOME; A Lovin' Son Tells His Mammy an' Pappy Of Philly-Delfya 'Mess' LI'L ABNER WRITES TO HIS MAMMY AN' PAPPY.” The New York Times, 11 Nov. 1956.

Schwabacher, Thomas K. “The Harvard Crimson.” Shangri-La The Harvard Crimson, 9 May 1956.