Take Me Along, Sid!

 Take Me Along, with music and lyrics by Bob Merrill 

(who was fresh from New Girl In Town with Gwen Verdon),

debuted in 1959.

It was David Merrick's idea to musicalize

Eugene O'Neill's Ahhh Wildnerness, all about a boy's coming of age.

First it was called Connecticut Summer, but the focus seemed to shift

when Jackie Gleason agreed to play slippery Uncle Sid.

Above, Jackie, Eileen Herlie, and Walter Pidgeon. 

Sid Davis' big return to his home town..."Sid, Ol Kid!" 

Walter Pidgeon and Robert Morse,

as Nat and Richard Miller.

The title song, Take Me Along, was later scarfed by

 Leo Burnett (the advertising firm) and used for 

a huge United Airlines campaign.

1960 Tony Award Winners...

Jackie got one for his performance as Sid,

(looks like the 'stache was real)

here with Mary Martin (who received her's for The Sound Of Music)

Ann Bancroft (for The Miracle Worker),

and Melvyn Douglas (The Best Man).