Cavalcade Of Music Music Of Arthur Schwartz

Originally Aired: August 25, 1937 Cavalcade of America #97, "Cavalcade Of Music Music Of Arthur Schwartz," This special musical episode celebrates the work of composer Arthur Schwartz on the eve of his new Broadway production, Virginia, opening at the Center Theater in Rockefeller Center. Joining the broadcast are Schwartz himself, along with Virginia's book writers Lawrence Stallings and Owen Davis, conductor Don Voorhees, and soprano Francia White. The program presents a retrospective of Schwartz's greatest hits from his years on Broadway, including songs from The Little Show, The Band Wagon, At Home Abroad, and his latest score for Virginia. The episode reveals fascinating stories behind Schwartz's most beloved compositions. Schwartz shares how his signature hit "Dancing in the Dark" nearly got cut from The Band Wagon during pre-Broadway tryouts in Philadelphia, saved only when he and lyricist Howard Dietz convinced producers to restructure the show's scenes. Throughout the half-hour broadcast, Francia White performs several Schwartz standards while the composer discusses his transition from practicing law to becoming one of Broadway's premier songwriters, demonstrating the remarkable journey that brought his sophisticated melodies to the American musical stage.