Bob Fosse Takes an Interest
There was another movie version of the original Chicago play, released under the name Roxie Hart in 1942 and starred Ginger Rogers. However, it was in the 1960s that the idea for a musical version began to form, first in the mind of Gwen Verdon, Tony Award-winning actress, dancer, and the wife of choreographer and director, Bob Fosse.
Ginger Rogers in a scene from ‘Roxie Hart,’ 1942. Photo by 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock
Bob Fosse was a legend in the musical world, being the only person to ever win an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony award all in the same year. He helped bring many stage musicals to the big screen and was a huge success in theatre too. One day, after reading the play, Gwen suggested to Bob that he might be able to turn it into a musical.