I'D Rather be Right
I'D Rather be Right (1937), a musical comedy by George S. Kaufman, Moss Hart (book), Richard Rodgers (music), Lorenz Hart (lyrics). [Alvin Theatre, 290 perf.] Peggy Jones (Joy Hodges) and Phil Barker (Austin Marshall) would like to marry but cannot until Phil receives a raise in pay contingent on President Roosevelt's balancing the budget. Falling asleep in Central Park, Phil dreams that he and Peggy meet Roosevelt (George M. Cohan), who summons his cabinet and even goes to battle with the Supreme Court to help the youngsters. Seemingly stymied, Roosevelt suggests the couple marry anyway, and when Phil awakes from his dream that is precisely what he and Peggy decide to do. Notable songs: Have You Met Miss Jones?; Off the Record; I'd Rather Be Right. Apparently the first important American play to employ a living president as the leading figure, the Sam H. Harris production was Cohan's only appearance in a musical that he did not write himself and was also his last song‐and‐dance role. Cohan's ingratiating performance (despite his much publicized hatred of Roosevelt) turned this affectionate satire of the New Deal into a hit.
