Nellie Bly (book by Joseph Quillan; music by James Van Heusen; lyrics by Johnny Burke; produced by Nat Karson & Eddie Cantor) is the eighth musical in which breezy William Gaxton and quavery, befuddled Victor Moore (Of Thee I Sing, Louisiana Purchase) have been starred together. It may also be the last: they are considering turning over their respective talents to Hollywood. As a farewell party, Nellie Bly proves a pretty dismal frost; it even casts something of a blight on the guests of honor.
Telling the story of the New York World's lady reporter who in 1889 circled the globe in...