collaborator Leontine Sagan. Novello starred opposite Mary Ellis. It closed at the start of the Second World War in September 1939 after 187 performances. After a three-year provincial tour, the show reopened at the Adelphi Theatre on 14 March 1942, running there until July 1944, for a total of 969 performances. It was the most popular show of the war and earned an estimated £1,000,000. After this, the show toured extensively in Britain and was revived numerous times, including in London, and was adapted for film and television. The 1968 West End revival starred June Bronhill. The Australian production opened in Melbourne at His Majesty's Theatre in June 1946. The cast included Max Oldaker as Rudi, Elizabeth Gaye as Grete and Viola Wilson as Maria. Original and 1942 casts Rudi Kleber – Ivor Novello (both casts) Maria Ziegler – Mary Ellis; Muriel Barron Grete Schone – Roma Beaumont (both casts) Cacilie Kurt – Olive Gilbert (both casts) Franzl – Peter Graves (both casts) Prince Charles Metterling – Anthony Nicholla; Victor Bogetti Minnie Rayner Songs Waltz of My Heart Wings of Sleep My Life Belongs to You Three Ballet Tunes I Can Give You the Starlight My Dearest Dear Primrose Leap Year Waltz Lorelei Adaptations The musical was turned into a popular film in 1950. Televised productions were aired by United Kingdom channels BBC in 1959, and ITV in 1979. References External links Profile of the show at the Guide to Musical Theatre 1939 plot summary and cast at Over the Footlights 1942 production at Over the Footlights Interview about the musical with Novello’s biographer David Slattery-Christy. 1939 musicals West End musicals Musicals by Ivor Novello British musicals