 The play opened in New York City on 30 October 1940 and closed on 3  January 1942 witha total of 501 performances. Ethel Merman (qv)  played Hattie, Betty Hutton (I) (qv) was Flo, Rags Ragland (qv)  originated his movie role, Arthur Treacher (qv) played the butler,  James Dunn (I) (qv) was Bulliet, and future film stars,  June Allyson (qv), Lucille Bremer (qv) and Vera