To those who comment that this would have made a great musical, it WAS a musical on Broadway with a score of music and lyrics by one Harold Rome (one of the few non-ampersands). Starring in the lead role of Fanny was the one and only Florence Henderson, one and the same who will forever be remembered as Carol Brady.
When I saw this in 1961 (don't dare figure out my age, now), I learned the shocking lesson that this had been a Broadway musical, but some Hollywood biggie decided for reasons that mystify me to this day, NOT, I repeat, NOT to have any singing in this picture, and use the score as an orchestral backdrop. I listened to the orignal Broadway cast album of the musical and head what may be deemed as moderate 'showstoppers' such as 'Welcome Home', 'Be Kind To Your Parents', 'I Have To Tell You', and of course, 'Fanny'.
Incidentally, this practice of using the musical score for an orchestral backdrop was repeated with Irma LaDouce a few years later. (Warren Beatty's big sister was in that one).
When I saw this in 1961 (don't dare figure out my age, now), I learned the shocking lesson that this had been a Broadway musical, but some Hollywood biggie decided for reasons that mystify me to this day, NOT, I repeat, NOT to have any singing in this picture, and use the score as an orchestral backdrop. I listened to the orignal Broadway cast album of the musical and head what may be deemed as moderate 'showstoppers' such as 'Welcome Home', 'Be Kind To Your Parents', 'I Have To Tell You', and of course, 'Fanny'.
Incidentally, this practice of using the musical score for an orchestral backdrop was repeated with Irma LaDouce a few years later. (Warren Beatty's big sister was in that one).