Thu 5/5 @ 7PM
The 1957 movie The Pajama Game, based on a 1954 Broadway music, based on a 1953 novel, sure looks like a period piece now. At a time when labor unions are greatly diminished and under siege, the lighthearted story of a union organizer in a pajama factory and a supervisor who fall in love, but endure a temporary split when they’re on opposite sides of a negotiation to raise wages by 7 1/2 cents an hour (about $1.25 in today’s money).
The movie starred Broadway star John Raitt (who also appeared in the lead on Broadway) and Doris Day as the lovers. It’s got a tune-packed score that includes standards such as “Hey There” and “I’m Not at All in Love,” slinky production numbers “Hernando’s Hideaway” and “Steam Heat” and rousing ensemble tune “7 ½ Cents.” (“Seven and a half cents doesn’t buy a hell of a lot, Seven and a half cents doesn’t mean a thing! But give it to me every hour, Forty hours every week, And that’s enough for me to be living like a king!”) It also features Bob Fosse’s debut as choreographer.
Travel back in time to when 7 ½ cents an hour did add up. It’s the next film tackled by The Musical Theater Project’s Movies at Home. First TMTP’s artistic director Bill Rudman offers his thoughts on the film and what to watch for on TMTP YouTube page.
Then buy or rent the movie on AmazonPrime, Tubi or Apple TV. Finally, join Bill on Zoom to talk about the film on Thursday May 5. It’s free and open to all. No registration is required.