What Musical Was Made From HG Wells's Novel "Kipps"�?

"Kipps," published in 1905, did have a straight film adaptation in 1941, but eventually became better known for the 1967 musical "Half a Sixpence" starring Tommy Steele. This followed the original plot quite closely, but after the cheery sentimentality of the musical, the realism, even cynicism, of Wells's novel may come as a surprise. Artie Kipps is a draper's assistant (as was Wells himself in his youth) who suddenly inherits a fortune. He immediately finds himself with a host of new friends, including a snobbish young woman who pushes him into an engagement. Kipps is rescued from her by re-encountering his childhood love Annie, now working as a servant; the pair marry, but find that they don't enjoy being wealthy. Their new "friends" are greedy and self-serving, and as active people they find a life of leisure dull and pointless. Both are relieved when most of the money is lost and they can go back to looking after themselves.