Babes in Arms is a 1937 musical theater production which tells the story of a boy who puts on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm. It has as music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Rodgers and Hart.

The songs

• "Babes In Arms"
• "I Wish I Were In Love Again"
• "Johnny One Note"
• "The Lady Is A Tramp"
• "My Funny Valentine"
• "Where Or When"
• "You Are So Fair"

1937 Broadway production

The show opened at the Shubert Theatre on April 14, 1937 and ran for 289 performances.

Cast:

• Billie Smith played by Mitzi Green
• Val Lamar played by Ray Heatherton
• Peter played by Duke McHale
• Baby Rose played by Wynn Murray
• Ivor DeQuincy played by Harold Nicholas
• Irving DeQuincy played by Fayard Nicholas
• Marshall Blackstone played by Alfred Drake

1939 MGM Musical film

The film version stars Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Charles Winninger and Guy Kibbee .

The movie was written by Jack McGowan , Kay Van Riper and Annalee Whitmore (uncredited). It was directed by Busby Berkeley.

It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Mickey Rooney, who was 19 at the time) and Best Music, Scoring.

Filming of Babes in Arms began on May 12, 1939 and was completed on July 18, 1939. The film premiered on October 13, 1939.