Welcome to our mini-Rodgers & Hart Festival in honor of the marvelous Lorenz Hart biopic, Blue Moon, starring Ethan Hawke. It just opened and is a must-see by all of us who revere the team’s creations. Next month we’ll offer Jumbo, starring Doris Day and adapted in 1962 from their 1935 musical comedy.

But right now we’re offering you the rarely seen Hallelujah, I’m a Bum!, and we promise it’s unlike any other movie musical you have ever experienced. I mean that. For starters, though, you’ll have to get past two words (“bum” and “hobo”) that are now considered offensive, plus a Black character who is a racial stereotype.

If you can do that, you may agree as I do with Leonard Maltin, who bestows on the film a rare 3½ out of 4 stars, calling it “a Depression curio...provocative and fascinating.”

I won’t summarize the plot here. It’s more important to tell you that this is the only musical made during the Depression that is actually about life during that period; that it veers daringly from the comic to the serious and back again; and that it inspired Rodgers & Hart to experiment with what the composer called “rhymed dialogue” over the music. They weren’t trying for hits, and they didn’t get any except the exquisite “You Are Too Beautiful.“ But take note of a line from the title song: “The moon’s your chandelier.” Only Hart could have written it.

If you’re tempted to excuse yourself from this one because Al Jolson stars, don’t. This may be his most restrained (for Jolie) performance. He gives us a real character here—not just over-the-top charisma.

It’s a Lost Musical, but time for you to find it.

Please note: We strongly urge you to watch my video intro before you tackle the film itself.