Olsen and Johnson in partnership with
Lee Shubert were working on their newest
musicalrevue, The Streets of Paris. The first rehearsals for the show began on May 2, 1939 in
New York. Before going to
New York, Streets of Paris debuted in
Boston on May 29, 1939, obtaining a great success of criticism and public. Some of the city newspapers speculated that the show had been extended in more a week.
The musical was divided into two acts with songs written by
Jimmy McHugh and
Al Dubin, working for the first time together.[2] The sketches were written by Tom McKnight, Charles Sherman and Jay S. Kaufman, with costumes designed by
Irene Sharaff, scenery for the show was designed by Larry Goldwasser, with direction of choreography by
Robert Alton, and directed by
Edward Dowling Duryea.[3]
The Streets of Paris ... Enis Beyer, Lynda Grey, Margaret Hall, Mildred Hughes, Nancy Lewis, Maxine Martin, Frances O'Day, Halldis Prince.
The Ensemble Speaks ... Mesdemoiselles:
Claire Anderson, Mary Ann, Alice Anthony, Betty Bartley, Kalli Barton, Flora Bowes, Trudy Burke, Jackie Gateley, Peggy Gallimore, Lu Ann Meredith, Ruth Merman, Adele Murphy, Janice Nicholson, Olive Nicholson, Eileen O'Day, Mary Ann Parker, Thelma Temple.
Messieurs: Norman Abbott, Edward Browne, Richard D'Arcy, Hugh Ellsworth, William Hawley, Henning Irgens, Mortimer O'Brien, Mischa Pompianov, Edward Wells.
In Paris ... Luella Gear, Margaret Irving, John McCauley.
Thanks for the Francs ... Milton Watson, Margo, Kate and Evelyn Hylton.
The Photographer ... Jackie Gately, Buddy Roberts, John McCauley, Luella Gear, Bobby Clark.
Danger in the Dark ... Della Lind, Milton Watson with Jo & Jeanne Readinger, Hugh Ellsworth, Richard D'Arcy and Edward Wells.
The Queen of Paris ... Luella Gear, Gower Champion.
Three Little Maids ... Margo, Kate and Evelyn Hylton.
Is It Possible: A Moment in Montmartre ... Bobby Clark, Della Lind with Madge and Billy Branch & Co.
Rendezvous Time in Paree ... Milton Watson, Yvonne Bouvier with Kalli Barton, Luann Meredith, Mary Ann Parker, Olive Nicholson, Adele Murphy, Alice Anthony, Betty Bartley, Jackie Gately.
Monsieur Think A Drink Hoffman ... Bernice Smith, Sadella Wagner, Mischa Pompianov, Richard D'Arcy.
The Convict's Return ... Luella Gear, Bobby Clark.