Hold Everything!

Hold Everything! (1928), a musical comedy by B. G. De Sylva (book, lyrics), John McGowan (book), Ray Henderson (music), Lew Brown (lyrics). [ Broadhurst Theatre, 413 perf.] “Sonny Jim” (Jack Whiting) is a welterweight contender. When he agrees to fight in a charity bout, his trainer suggests he pull his punches rather than risk problems, but his sweetheart, Sue Burke (Ona Munson), tells him to fight as if it meant the title. Jim is uncertain whether to follow his trainer's or his sweetheart's advice until his opponent slaps Sue. Then he quickly wins both the bout and Sue. Notable songs: Don't Hold Everything; To Know You Is to Love You; Too Good to Be True; You're the Cream in My Coffee. Prizefights had become big in this sports‐mad era, and earlier in the same season several straight plays had centered on boxing. So this Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freedley musical production was well timed. For many critics and playgoers, the highlight of the evening was the clowning of Bert Lahr as the punch‐drunk fighter Gink Schiner, his antics in this show making him a star.