Broadway: Man of Two Worlds

One reason he was so inimitable is that few songwriters have ever traveled in the places and circles that Cole Porter made his natural world. He was born rich. He was educated to his manicured fingertips. He spent his best years lounging in wing collars against exotic backgrounds with the sleekest peacocks of two worlds.

Porter found his songs wherever he went. Once in Samoa, on a round-the-world cruise, he saw a native dance that had a rhythm too insistent to be forgotten. Back aboard ship, he turned it into Begin the Beguine....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!