Search - E. Y. Harburg :: Darling Of The Day (1968 Original Broadway Cast)

Greatly Overlooked Score and Performances

Christopher J. Tully | Arlington, Virginia United States | 05/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The more I hear of Jule Styne's musical work, the more convinced I become that he was probably the best composer in musical theater in the 1950s and 1960s (up against such heavy hitters as Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser and Frederick Loewe). His high-quality work continued into the late 1960s as well, when he had two musicals -- Darling of the Day and Hallelujiah, Baby(both financial flops) -- which both feature glorious scores. Darling of the Day is particularly noteworthy, because it not only features a great score (mixing waltz, British music hall, and Rex Harrison-like talk-speak numbers), but brilliant lyrics from Yip Harburg (whose work includes The Wizard of Oz and Finian's Rainbow) and wonderful performances from Vincent Price and (especially) Patricia Routledge.For wonderful talk-speak numbers, listen to Price's piece of "He's a Genius" and the delightful "Butler in the Abbey". For beautiful ballads, listen to Routledge's wonderful renditions of "Let's See What Happens" and "That Something Extra Special". For music hall at its best, Routledge's rendition of "Not on Your Nellie" is all one could ask.The tragedy of this show is that it suffered from some particularly vicious reviews on opening (ironically, most of the better respected critics of the day -- i.e., Clive Barnes and Walter Kerr -- absolutely loved it). Although it is impossible to tell what the book was like from the CD (and, according to many critics, this is where one of the problems lay), I find it difficult to believe that someone who actually listened to the score could dislike it.All in all, a show whose music should be rediscovered."

Very good score that deserves a revival of interest!

Christopher J. Tully | 07/04/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jule Styne's spritely tunes and Yip Harburg's pointed lyrics are delights to be savored. The stars do well by the score -- Patricia Routledge in the role that won her a Tony, and Vincent Price in a charming portrayal of an artist who yearns for the less-complicated life of his own butler. "I've Got a Rainbow Working for Me" is a lovely tune and Price puts it over very well. He's also quite good on "To Get out of this World Alive," despite some tricky lyrics from Harburg. Likewise, Routledge is outstanding on "Not on Your Nellie" and "Let's See What Happens." Only two things slightly mar this CD: First, some overly-contrived lyrics from Harburg, whose socialist sensibilities come to full front in this musical. (Fortunately, Styne's music overcomes the weaknesses in the lyrics.) Secondly, the liner notes by Steven Suskind are unduly and unfairly critical of Price, whose musical ability was considerably better than Suskind gives credit and who actually acquitted himself quite well."

Cult-flop musical classic

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 09/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another of those wonderful cult-flop musicals that one can't help but love, DARLING OF THE DAY is a particular favorite of mine.The story was based on the book "Buried Alive" by Arnold Bennett, and tells the tale of artist Priam Farll (Vincent Price) who - thanks to a case of mixed identity - ends up "dead" and comes "back" as Henry Leek. Arriving in the small town of Putney, Henry meets vivacious widow Alice Challice (Patricia Routledge), and they later marry. However, Henry's past comes back to haunt him when his painting career suddenly takes off again...The score is gorgeous. Patricia Routledge is given ample time to display her amazing vocal talents with the achingly-beautiful "Let's See What Happens" and the touching "Something Extra Special". She tied with Leslie Uggams to win the Tony for Best Actress in a Musical that year, and rightfully so.Vincent Price, King of the AIP horror movies, was totally at sea with his musical Broadway debut, and was one of the main reasons why the show failed, running only 32 performances (around 2-3 weeks). The rather slow-moving book was also a factor in the show's failure.However, the glowing score by Jule Styne and E.Y. Harburg is gorgeous, and features the songs "To Get Out of This World Alive", "He's A Genius", "Panache" and "It's Enough to Make a Lady Fall in Love" as well as "Sunset Tree". RCA."