Offered is an exceptionally scarce original 1959 Broadway window card for Take Me Along, starring Jackie Gleason, Walter Pidgeon, Eileen Herlie, Robert Morse, and Una Merkel. Produced by the legendary David Merrick, this colorful display piece features classic mid-century theatrical artwork with patriotic carnival-inspired illustrations set against a vibrant yellow background, making it one of the most visually appealing Broadway window cards of the era.
Unlike many surviving examples that were heavily used or discarded after the production closed, this original retains strong color and outstanding display appeal. Window cards for Take Me Along appear on the market very infrequently, making this an especially desirable opportunity for collectors of Golden Age Broadway memorabilia, Jackie Gleason material, and David Merrick productions.
Condition: Original 1959 theater-issued window card. Displays well with bright, unfaded color and strong graphics. There is edge and corner wear, including several small chips and tears along the borders, most notably at the upper left, lower edge, and right border. Small tack holes are present from theatrical display, along with light creasing, scattered surface wear, and tape residue/mounting remnants on the reverse. Despite these imperfections, the artwork remains vibrant and highly displayable. Original Take Me Along window cards are exceptionally difficult to locate, and examples seldom come to market, making this a highly desirable piece even with its honest period wear.
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PRODUCTION & HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Take Me Along opened on October 22, 1959, at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway and closed on December 17, 1960, after 448 performances. Produced by David Merrick, the musical was based on Eugene O’Neill’s Ah, Wilderness! with a book by Joseph Stein and Robert Russell, music and lyrics by Bob Merrill, direction by Peter Glenville, choreography by Onna White, scenic design by Oliver Smith, costume design by Miles White, lighting by Jean Rosenthal, orchestration by Philip J. Lang, and musical direction by Lehman Engel.
The original Broadway cast starred Jackie Gleason in his Tony Award-winning performance alongside Walter Pidgeon, Eileen Herlie, Robert Morse, and Una Merkel. The production received numerous Tony Award nominations, with Gleason winning Best Actor in a Musical.
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WHY THIS IS A STRONG COLLECTOR PIECE
Original window cards for Take Me Along are among the scarcer Broadway window cards from the David Merrick era. Jackie Gleason Broadway material has always enjoyed a dedicated collector following, and this poster represents his Tony Award-winning performance in one of his most celebrated stage roles. Combined with artwork typical of the late-1950s golden age of Broadway advertising and a stellar cast including Walter Pidgeon, Eileen Herlie, Robert Morse, and Una Merkel, this is a difficult title to replace. Even with edge wear and tack holes from theater use, surviving originals are encountered so infrequently that condition is often secondary to availability for serious Broadway collectors.