SOURCE: "Musical Biography," in Theatre Arts, Vol. XXIV, No. 7, July, 1940, pp. 517-19.

In the following excerpt, Kerr describes the production of a musical comedy based on Cohan's career.

George M. Cohan ordered a dish of pistachio ice cream, lit a cigarette, and shifted his chair nearer the window that looked out on Central Park. "A musical show at the University, is that it?"

"Yes, Mr. Cohan. A musical biography. We've got an idea that your career would make an exciting evening in the theatre."

"Nothing exciting about it. Just ups and downs, and a lot of things to wise up on. I don't see where you'll get enough material to make a play. But if you want to try it, kid, go right ahead. I'll call Jerry Vogel in the morning and you can get the music from him."

Go right ahead! As casually as that we gained...