Broadway, but it was turned into a network television special on the U.S. Steel Hour in 1956. Decca released an original cast album that same year. The musical was subsequently performed around the country by little theatre groups and stock companies. Frank Luther continued to record, forming his own label and then working for a variety of educational record companies. He did a series for United Artists Records, some albums of songs adapted from the writings of various children's authors, and some narrations of children's books. These included Babar Songs and Stories, an LP of retellings of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar the Elephant series he recorded for Vocalion Records in the early 1960s. On this album he punctuated his narrations of The Story of Babar, The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar and his Children, Zephir's Holiday and Babar and Father Christmas with snatches of song at various junctures in the stories. Luther also produced albums by others. His best-known work as a producer was the million-selling original cast album of the Off-Broadway musical, The Fantasticks. Luther's "Happy the Harmonica" was covered by media satirists Negativland on their album Free. Final years Luther's last two albums, made in stereo for Pickwick International, were nostalgic re-visits to two familiar themes, A Treasury of Mother Goose Songs and American Folk Songs. He did not retire, but continued to write scores and work on recording projects in the 1970s, one being a set of songs about protecting the environment. Frank Luther died in New York City in 1980 at the age of 80. Discography "The Return of Barnacle Bill the Sailor" See also Remember Pearl Harbor References External links Frank Luther on Victor Records Recording of "Three Billy Goats Gruff" 1899 births 1980 deaths People from Kearny County, Kansas Musicians from Bakersfield, California American male singer-songwriters American country singer-songwriters Decca Records artists 20th-century American singers Singer-songwriters from California Country musicians from California 20th-century American male singers Singer-songwriters from Kansas