Horace J. Fletcher, proud owner of the Fletcher American Cheese Co., outraged when Switzerland protests a tariff on imported cheese, convinces the U.S. government to declare a war, financed by himself and dubbed “The Horace J. Fletcher Memorial War.” When his daughter announces her love for Jim Townsend, a newspaperman who has publicly criticized both the war and the quality of milk going into his cheese, Fletcher drafts Townsend and sends him off to war – room and board provided by the Swiss Hotel Owners Association at a modest rate. Everything ends in patriotic triumph with the lovers reunited, Townsend ...Read More
Horace J. Fletcher, proud owner of the Fletcher American Cheese Co., outraged when Switzerland protests a tariff on imported cheese, convinces the U.S. government to declare a war, financed by himself and dubbed “The Horace J. Fletcher Memorial War.” When his daughter announces her love for Jim Townsend, a newspaperman who has publicly criticized both the war and the quality of milk going into his cheese, Fletcher drafts Townsend and sends him off to war – room and board provided by the Swiss Hotel Owners Association at a modest rate. Everything ends in patriotic triumph with the lovers reunited, Townsend a hero and a new war brewing with Russia over a tariff on caviar!
Pointed and uncompromising, this inspired lunacy is as relevant today as when it opened. The glorious Gershwin score includes the classic “The Man I Love” and makes “Strike Up The Band” a great choice for the concert hall as well.
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