#popculture27: The Gershwins Make the Musical “Funny Face,” Starring Fred & Adele Astaire

The songwriting brothers—and the dancing siblings—teamed up for a Broadway production, with songs that endured in future shows.

by Rich Watson 

The story of modern American musical theater would be incomplete without George & Ira Gershwin. Their heyday was the twenties, but their influence endured for longer.

One of their hit musicals is little remembered today but it inspired future ones: the 1927 show Funny Face.

#popculture27: W. Somerset Maugham Writes the Play “The Letter”

A real-life murder inspired the short story and play by this celebrated writer.

by Rich Watson 

W. Somerset Maugham was a European writer from the early twentieth century, best known for such books as Of Human Bondage, The Painted Veil and The Razor’s Esge.

He also wrote short stories and plays. One of his short stories became one of his greatest plays: The Letter.

#popculture27: Louis Armstrong Turns His Hot Five Into a Hot Seven

The future jazz superstar, when he first headlined his own band, and the woman who helped him along the way.

by Rich Watson 

Louis Armstrong was a legend. He’s in the Halls of Fame for not just jazz, but rhythm and blues AND rock. He was a Grammy winner. He appeared in movies and TV, and was the first black radio show host in American history. There’s even an asteroid named after him.

In 1927, his career was still rising. After headlining his first band, he expanded it.