"Panama Hattie" stands as a notable American musical from 1940, a creation featuring music and lyrics by the renowned Cole Porter, with its book penned by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva. This production centers on Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner residing in the Panama Canal Zone, whose life becomes entangled with both romantic pursuits and military intrigue. The musical's title itself is a clever play on words, referencing the widely recognized
Panama hat. Its initial success on Broadway paved the way for several adaptations, extending its reach from the theatrical stage to the silver screen and eventually to television, showcasing its enduring appeal across different media.
The Original Broadway Production and Early Tryouts
The journey of "Panama Hattie" to Broadway was preceded by a series of tryouts, a common practice in theatrical productions to refine the show before its official opening. These pre-Broadway performances commenced at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on October 3, 1940. Following its New Haven run, the production moved to the Shubert Theatre in Boston, where it opened on October 8, 1940. These early engagements allowed the creative team to gauge audience reactions and make necessary adjustments. The original 1940 Broadway production featured the iconic Ethel Merman in the leading role of Hattie Maloney, a casting choice that undoubtedly contributed to the show's initial impact and success.
Adaptations for Film and Television
The popularity of "Panama Hattie" on stage quickly led to its adaptation for other forms of entertainment. In 1942, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced a musical film version, also titled "Panama Hattie." This adaptation brought the story to a wider audience through the medium of cinema, allowing for a different interpretation of the musical's themes and characters. The transition from stage to film often involves changes to suit the new format, and the 1942 movie offered a cinematic take on Hattie Maloney's adventures in the Panama Canal Zone.
Years later, the musical found its way to the small screen. In 1954, "Panama Hattie" was adapted once more, this time as an episode of the CBS TV series "The Best of Broadway." This television rendition further demonstrated the musical's adaptability and its capacity to resonate with audiences across different eras and platforms. These adaptations highlight the lasting appeal of Cole Porter's music and the engaging narrative crafted by Fields and DeSylva.
Later Revivals and Concert Presentations
The legacy of "Panama Hattie" continued with revivals and concert presentations in subsequent decades, indicating a sustained interest in the work. In 1996, the musical was presented as a staged concert at Barbican Cinema 1 in London. This event was part of the "Lost Musicals" series, a program dedicated to bringing lesser-seen or classic musicals back to the stage. Directed and produced by Ian Marshall Fisher, this London revival featured Louise Gold in the role of Hattie and Jon Glover as Windy, offering a new generation of theatergoers a chance to experience the musical.
More recently, in October 2010, the "Musicals Tonight!" series in New York City also presented a staged concert of "Panama Hattie." These concert versions often focus on the musical's score and book, allowing the audience to appreciate the core elements of the production in a more stripped-down format. Such revivals underscore the enduring quality of "Panama Hattie" as a significant piece of American musical theater history.
