The Name's LaGuardia -- Part 6

The Second Elisberg Industries Internal Film Festival continues with our presentation of Fiorello! by Harnick and Bock.  You can find the previous five episodes by scrolling back.  At the moment, I have a feeling that this will run 11 episodes, unless I have some bonus videos at the end.

At this point in the story, the local Republicans have been unable find anyone in New York City willing to run for Congress against the crooked Tammany Hall candidate.  When the young, crusading lawyer Fiorello LaGuardia offers himself to run, the party is thrilled to have a pigeon to sacrifice and at least have someone on the ballot.

What no one counts on is the wildly energetic grassroots and populist campaign that LaGuardia runs, going into the multi-ethnic neighborhoods and appealing directly to them in all the languages he speaks.  The result is the memorable number -- and title of the festival -- "The Name's LaGuardia."

I have to versions to choose from here.  Since I'm mainly been offering videos from a very good NYU production done in 2012, I'm going to offer that first, starring Kenny Francoeur as Fiorello.  But also, there is a treasure to present, as well.  And that's the original Fiorello LaGuardia, Tom Bosley (who won a Tony Award for his 1959 role), recreating the number at the 25th annual Tony Awards in 1971.

Here first is the NYU production, which has more dialogue and a longer dance sequestion than the other --

And here is Tom Bosley as Fiorello H. LaGuardia, telling everyone that, "The Name's LaGuardia."  It's a much shorter, edition version than the one above, but full of vibrant drive and vigor, and...best of all, it's the original