Gertrude Lawrence cameras and lighting could not function properly inside a Broadway theater. In 1943, Lawrence hosted a weekly series of American radio shows, some of them featuring discussions with guests and others adaptations of Hollywood hit films. In 1947, she returned to NBC for a production of the 1913 Shaw play "The Great Catherine". To promote "The King and I", Lawrence appeared on various television programs, including the Ed Sullivan-hosted "Toast of the Town", with Rodgers and Hammerstein joining her to perform selections from the show. Additionally, she appeared on several BBC Radio interview and variety shows before and after World
Pipe Dream (musical) farce "Charley's Aunt", they produced it as the musical comedy "Where's Charley?", with a score by Frank Loesser. Among the backers of "Where's Charley?" were Rodgers and Hammerstein, which helped secure additional investment. The show was a hit and helped establish Feuer and Martin on Broadway—they would go on to produce "Guys and Dolls". In the aftermath of "Guys and Dolls"'s success, Feuer and Martin were interested in adapting John Steinbeck's 1945 novel "Cannery Row" into a musical. They felt that some of the characters, such as marine biologist Doc, would work well in a musical, but that many of