In 1949, Rogers and Hammerstein were inspired by the tales "Our Heroine" and "Fo' Dolla'" to write one of Broadway's most successful musicals, South Pacific, starring Mary Martin as Nellie Forbush and Ezio Pinza as Emile De Becque. Michener himself fought to keep "You Have to Be Taught," a song about racial bigotry, in the show. A film of South Pacific starring Mitzi Gaynor and Rosanno Brazzi was produced in 1958.