Strange Bedfellows

This chapter explores Cole Porter and Moss Hart's collaboration on Jubilee while situating it within the broader context of Porter's mid-century musicals. It begins by describing how many of Porter's works, though once successful, fade from Broadway but find new life in smaller-scale productions such as Musicals Tonight, which preserves forgotten shows like Panama Hattie (1940), Du Barry Was a Lady (1939), and Jubilee (1935). The chapter then shifts to the creation of Jubilee , developed during a world cruise, and highlights its satirical royal characters, celebrity caricatures, and themes of disguise, escape, and restored order. It highlights “Begin the Beguine” and “Just One of Those Things,” songs that achieve lasting popularity despite the dated book and uneven score. Finally, the chapter evaluates Jubilee's revival potential, stressing its reliance on topical humor, name-dropping songs, and cultural parodies that limit timeless appeal.