A “Flahooley” was a doll manufactured by B.G. Bigelow, Incorporated, the world’s largest (fictional) toy manufacturer. Toymaker Sylvester created the laughing doll as part of the company’s potential Christmas line. But then–an Arabian delegation wants its genie lamp fixed by the toy company (???) so it can continue to pump oil(???). Hijinx ensue with capitalism (“Jump Li’l Chillun” is the strange gospel song about it–yes, it’s racist) and magic (“The Springtime Cometh” is cute doggerel lacquering on a silver lining) competing for the hearts and minds of all doll buyers.
This 1951 musical closed after 40 shows, a failure by most standards. The McCarthyism of the time was blamed (the writer E.Y. Harburg had been blacklisted as a sympathizer) and his slanted humor and musicality seemed too bitter a pill to swallow for most. (See: “Najala’s Song of Joy,” a mishegas of nonsense that’s meant to honor Middle Eastern culture.)
The doll itself gets a forced laugh in the “Flahooley!” marketing song. Boisterous anthem that spits in your face.
The love song “He’s Only Wonderful” is overproduced shouting.
“Who Says There Ain’t No Santa Claus?” (from Sylvester) interrupts the plot early on for a jaunty symphonic rhetorical quandry meant to cement an awkward couple. Some fun. Though not much.
