 The Helen Lawson character was based loosely on Ethel Merman (qv)  and the Neely OHara character based a bit on  Betty Hutton (I) (qv). Merman actually ordered a number cut from  the show "Panama Hattie" just before it opened on Broadway. The  singer of that number was Hutton. Just like in this story, the  producer of the show took Hutton to Hollywood and made her a star to  make up for her treatment in the show.