Jupiter Forbid

Abstract

This chapter details Bolger’s return to New York after exiting his MGM contract at the conclusion of filming The Wizard of Oz. His Broadway show Keep Off the Grass with Jimmy Durante, a revue, is discussed as is his last collaboration with Rodgers and Hart: the long-running Broadway hit By Jupiter. This chapter also remarks on the outbreak of World War II and United States involvement in it. The chapter concludes with Bolger quitting By Jupiter to join the United Service Organization’s (USO) Camp Show tour. Ray had promised his agent he would go overseas again with the USO after a year’s work on By Jupiter. He informed Rodgers privately of the decision, but he could not publicly share his true reason for leaving the show due to the USO’s efforts to keep the camp show trip under wraps for security.