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Richard Rodgers talks about his collaborators, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, and the difference in the relationship he had with these two men as compared to that of Gilbert and Sullivan “who loathed each other.” Hart was “way out,” says Mr. Rodgers, whereas Hammerstein was more down to earth. In the Rodgers and Hammerstein team, Rodgers acquired the reputation of the businessman – the man who transacted the deal, took care of the finances, and knew how to count. Rodgers pooh-poohs this with “I don’t know the salary of one person who works for me. I have a business office and people who take care of that end. I don’t want to be known as a good business man. I like the reputation of writing good music, if I do.” When Hammerstein realized that his days were numbered, he told Rodgers to get a young person to work with. “A young person will give you energy, new ideas, direction; you will give somebody young experience,” he said. When 20th Century Fox wanted to remake “State Fair,” they asked Rodgers and Hammerstein for three songs to add to the old score. When it became obvious that Oscar could never do it, Rodgers decided to undertake both music and lyrics, for the first time in his life. The songs were accepted, and he says, “I never had more fun working my life. I’m on a new road whether it’s with another collaborator or alone.”
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