Rating : - Shirley Booth and an average Broadway offering
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA is one of those Broadway shows that ran simply on the box-office value of its star - Shirley Booth. The score (by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields) isn't really exciting or memorable, and the storyline (about a colorful boardinghouse by the sea) was hackneyed even by 1954's standards. Shirley Booth was the sole reason why BEAUTIFUL SEA ran for a respectable 270 performances, earning Miss Booth a Tony nomination as well as a Donaldson Award. Miss Booth co-stars with Wilbur Evans (who played Emile opposite Mary Martin in the original London run of SOUTH PACFIC), Mae Barnes and Cameron Prud'homme.

The show also marked the Broadway debut of talented actress Cathryn Damon who appeared in the dancing ensemble. Shirley Booth sings the charming "Lottie Gibson Specialty" and the score also includes "Old Enough to Love", "Happy Habit", "More Love than Your Love", "Throw the Anchor Away" and "Good Time Charlie".