Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, we’re celebrating Independence Day with the 1980 Showtime telecast of Goodspeed’s revival of Little Johnny Jones (1904) — a 115-year-old musical comedy written by Broadway’s patriotic king, George M. Cohan, whose classic score includes gems like “The Yankee Doodle Boy” and “Give My Regards To Broadway.”
For those who’ve seen Jimmy Cagney in the wonderful 1942 Cohan biopic (Yankee Doodle Dandy), where Little Johnny Jones is briefly recreated, this is a particular treat, as this production (later used as the basis for an ill-fated Broadway mounting in 1982) gives you the chance to see a more-faithful-than-you’d-expect take on Cohan’s most famous show!
This has been released on VHS (now out-of-print) — and is currently available elsewhere online. But for subscribers who comment below to alert me of their non-commercial scholarly interest, I will send you downloadable access to the entire, professionally shot telecast, along with an EXCLUSIVE: an audio recording of the telecast that I have tracked myself, offering easy access to this hodgepodge of Cohan greats (some of which come from his other scores). Above is a sample of the video (“The Yankee Doodle Boy”), and below is an excerpt of the tracked audio, “Give My Regards To Broadway” — both led by Eric Weitz. Enjoy!
Come back next week for another Wildcard post! And stay tuned Tuesday for more Raymond!
Very good; I need to find a VHS tape. Keep up the good work. I would like access to the download of the cast recording.
Hi, johnpreserve! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your preserveoldbroadway address for access to the video and a tracked audio of the same telecast.
Hi Jackson Please send me the George M Cohan recordings etc. Thank you great job.
Hi, Steven! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your q address.
I would love to see the telecast of Little Johnny Jones, Jackson. My interests are entirely non-commercial and scholarly, but also nostalgic. It may have been ill-fated on Broadway, but it toured and I did see it at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit with, I believe, David Cassidy.
Hi, Greg! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your earthlink address.
How was Cassidy — and the show? Much the same as in this televised performance?
Hey Jackson! I would love to get a copy of the show! Thank you!
Hi, Kal! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Would love to see and hear this show. Thanks for sharing. Bob K
Hi, Bob! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Please send me a copy of this show. Thanks!
Hi, Travis! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.
Wow, Jackson! What a Treasure Trove you are! I had a copy of this producstion many years ago on VHS and sadly lost it to the Florida humidity. Please send me your copy.
I’m really anxious to see it again with my very best scholarly non-commercial intent!
Hi, Michael! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your AT&T address.
A bit late for the 4th now, but I’d still love to see this!
Hi, James! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your gmail address.