The Happy Time

Originally directed and choreographed by Gower Champion and produced in New York by David Merrick, the theme of this enchanting musical is the conflict between a happy life at home and the joy of adventure. Jacques, a world-roving photographer, returns to his French-Canadian village hoping to recover the happy time of his childhood. He takes his fun-loving father and his teen-age nephew, Bibi, to visit a team of dancers "Catch My Garter." The boy, fascinated by his uncle's world, proposes to drop out of school and become his assistant. Bibi's parents are hurt and angry and his teacher, a lovely girl secretly in love with Jacques, also disapproves. The conflict reaches a climax when Jacques' father sternly tells him he is stealing Bibi's affection. Jacques rallies to the challenge and disenchants Bibi with the idea of dropping out. "You did that well, my son," is the praise he has always longed for and now receives from his father. The songs are the kind you sing on your way home. The swirling title tune, "The Happy Time"; the bittersweet love duet, "I Don't Remember You"; the grand school song for the chorus, "St. Pierre"; the debonair song for a happy grandfather, "The Life of the Party"; the enchanting "A Certain Girl"; and many more. This musical is a pleasure to produce, see, sing and remember.