Theatrical Songs of the 1920s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wild Rose

Inspired by the earlier play "Sally in Our Alley", the musical "Sally" featured music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Clifford Grey, Buddy De Sylva, Anne Caldwell, and P. G. Wodehouse . The show ran for 570 performances on Broadway. The plot line is one of mistaken identity where a dishwasher poses as a foreign ballerina.

The song "Wild Rose" is sung by the titular Sally and a group of diplomats.

Answer: I'm Just Wild About Harry

"Shuffle Along" was one of the first US musicals to feature a predominantly African-American cast. The music was composed by Eubie Blake, and the lyrics were written by Noble Sissle. "Shuffle Along" ran for 503 performances. The story line focused on two business partners who run against each other in the mayoral election for Jimtown.

The musical featured the song "I'm Just Wild About Harry", as sung by the characters Jessie Williams and Jimtown Sunflowers. The song was originally written as a waltz but rewritten before the show's opening as a foxtrot.

Answer: You Remind Me of My Mother

The music and lyrics (and book) for "Little Nellie Kelly" were written by George M. Cohan. The story of the show features two men who are both interested in the titular Nellie Kelly. One of the characters, Jerry Conroy, sings the song "You Remind Me of My Mother". With 276 performances, "Little Nellie Kelly" was the longest running of George M. Cohan's musicals.

Many critics considered the musical somewhat old-fashioned even when it premiered in 1922.

Answer: Bambalina

"Wildflower" ran for 477 performances on Broadway. The musical featured music composed by Herbert Stothart and Vincent Youmans, and lyrics written by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein. The musical focuses on the story of a sunny Italian farm girl named Nina.

The song "Bambalina" is sung by Lucrezia who attempts to make Nina lose her temper and her inheritance. "Wildflower" was the first successful musical with which Oscar Hammerstein played a significant role.

Answer: Fascinating Rhythm

"Lady, Be Good!" featured music composed by George Gershwin and lyrics written by his brother, Ira Gershwin. The story line focuses on a impoverished brother and sister who each try to sacrifice for the other. The siblings were played by real life siblings, Fred and Adele Astaire.

The musical ran for 330 performances on Broadway. In the show, the song "Fascinating Rhythm" was performed by Susie and Dick Trevor (the Astaires). A 1926 recording of the Astaires singing the song is part of the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

Answer: I Want to Be Happy

Vincent Youmans composed the music and Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach wrote the lyrics for "No No, Nanette". The show ran for 321 performances in its initial Broadway run. The musical was an adaption of an early play "My Lady Friend'. The story focuses on three couples who are vacationing at a cottage in Atlantic City.

The song "I Want to Be Happy" is sung by the titular Nanette and her guardian, Jimmy. Covers of the song by several artists have placed on the charts over the years.

Answer: Someone to Watch Over Me

In "Oh, Kay!", the song "Someone to Watch Over Me" was originally sung by Gertrude Lawrence while holding a rag doll. Her single of the song released in 1927 was a Number Two hit. The musical "Oh, Kay!" ran for 256 performances on Broadway. In the musical, the title character of Kay finds herself falling in love with a man who is seemingly unavailable.

In the show, the lyrics were by Ira Gershwin and the music by George Gershwin.

Answer: Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man

"Show Boat" was based on Edna Ferber's 1926 novel of the same name. The musical ran for 572 performances in its initial run on Broadway. The show includes a number of scenes set aboard a entertainment boat that travels along the Mississippi between the 1880s and 1920s. Several characters sing the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" in either the first act or the second act.

The song is presented in the show as one that would be familiar to African-Americans, but less so to white Americans.

Answer: Hooray for Captain Spaulding

Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby collaborated on the music and lyrics for "Animal Crackers". The musical play starred the Marx Brothers. (For those who are more familiar with the movie version, the play has several additional musical numbers.) The Marx Brothers are attendees at the house party of a society matron.

The song "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" refers to Groucho's character. The song served as Groucho's informal theme music for much of his career. "Animal Crackers" ran for 191 performances on Broadway.

Answer: Button Up Your Overcoat

"Follow Thru" ran for 401 performances on Broadway in its original run. Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown wrote the lyrics and Ray Henderson composed the music. The storyline focused on a golf match at a country club. The characters of Angie (Zelma O'Neal) and Jack (Jack Haley) sang "Button Up Your Overcoat".

The song was covered the same year by Helen Kane, whose appearance and voice provided the inspiration for Betty Boop.