Dark Monday • Ethel Merman & Mary Martin

In 1953, the Ford Motor Company celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company in a way no one had ever seen before. As neither NBC nor CBS reached all the households in the country, Ford purchased prime time on both to air 'The Ford 50th Anniversary Show" on June 15th. It was said to the first "Television Spectacular", with a star-studded list of guests. Among those appearing were two of the top Broadway stars, Mary Martin and Ethel Merman. The ladies commanded the television screen for over 13 minutes, singing a medley of great songs both from Broadway and from Pop music. Ethel started the fun with"There's No Business Like Show Business" from the Irving Berlin musical 'Annie Get Your Gun', which originally starred Merman. Then Mary stepped in with "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific', the Broadway hit by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II that starred Mary Martin. Then it was back to Ethel with "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Edward Madden. Mary came back with "Wait 'Till The Sun Shines, Nellie" with music by Harry Von Tilzer and lyrics by Andrew B. Sterling, followed by Ethel singing "Sheik of Araby" with music by Ted Snyder and lyrics by Harry B. Smith & Francis Wheeler. Both Mary and Ethel joined in on "When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along)" written by Harry M. Woods. Martin broke off with the classic "My Melancholy Baby" with music by Ernie Burnett and lyrics by George A. Norton. Ethel took her turn with "You Made Me Love You" with music by James V. Monaco and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. Martin sang "Mississippi Mud" by Harry Barris & James Cavanaugh.

Then the pair decided to sing "I" songs, which included "I Cried for You", "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", "I'm in the Mood For Love", "I Love a Parade", "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (If I Knew I'd Find You)", "I'm Sitting on Top of the World", "I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'", "I Can't Give You Anything but Love", "I'll Get By", "You're Just in Love", and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair".

As if that weren't enough, the ladies sang a couple of songs by the great Cole Porter, as Ethel sang "I Get A Kick Out of You". Mary added "I've Got You Under My Skin", and the flirty "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" by Cole Porter. Then Ethel added a classic of her own, with "I Got Rhythm" by George and Ira Gershwin.

In one of the nicest parts of a great duet, both ladies took on different songs at the same time, bringing it all together. The songs included "Indian Love Call" with music by Rudolf Friml and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, "Tea For Two" with music by Vincent Youmans and lyrics by Irving Ceasar & Otto Harbach, "Stormy Weather" with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Ted Koehler, and "Isn't It Romantic" with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. In the end, they raised their voices together on a reprise of the great Irving Berlin song, "There's No Business Like Show Business".

In 1953, Ethel Merman and Mary Martin were Broadway royalty, having been performing since the 1930s. Martin was given the Tony Award for 'Best Actress in a Musical' in 1950 for playing Nellie Forbush in 'South Pacific', and Merman won her Tony in 1951 for playing Sally Adams in 'Call Me Madam'. These were only the fourth and fifth years the Tony Awards were given. With this performance, you can see why they earned their awards. Such gifted ladies.

Dark Monday • (You're Not Sick) You're Just In Love

I just could not resist continuing by Valentine love-fest to this Monday post, knowing full-well we are 4 days beyond the holiday. In search of something special, I hit upon a delightful song from the 1950 Broadway hit 'Call Me Madam'. The original production starred superstar Ethel Merman, as well as the music of the great Irving Berlin. The story was based on the life of Washington socialite Perle Mesta, a Democratic fundraiser who went on to be named Ambassador to Luxembourg. The story was said to be a tongue-in-cheek look at politics, D.C. social life, and foreign affairs. The original Broadway production was quite unique, for producer Leland Hayward got the money from NBC Television and RCA Records for the production, giving each a third of the profit. He also did the unthinkable, raising the price of the orchestra seats to a record $7.20. It was made into a movie in 1953, still starring Merman, as well as Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, and George Sanders. Watch this clip to see Ethel and Donald singing the season-appropriate "(You're Not Sic) You're Just In Love".

You can find the soundtrack for 'Call Me Madam' on iTunes or Amazon.

Dark Monday • There's No Business Like Ethel's Business

There is just a special something when Ethel Merman sings. Sure, there are those who love her, and those who don't. I will grant you I won't be running out to purchase her albums, but I can't help but respect the woman who inspired many a Broadway writer, and belted her way decade after decade starring in some of the greatest roles for women in the 20th Century. "There's No Business Like Show Business" was written by Irving Berlin for the 1946 musical, 'Annie Get Your Gun'. That starred Ethel Merman in the role of Annie Oakley. It was first featured in the 1954 film of the same name, a film built around existing Berlin music, including that song. And once again, Ethel was hired to deliver the song as only she could. Enjoy.

Dark Monday • Ethel Merman

For many people, the voice of Ethel Merman was the definitive Broadway belter. Certainly, once you've heard her, you never forgot her, and realized there was no one else like her. And once she left us in 1984, we quickly came to the realization there would be no more like her. She was unique, a truly special individual talent. She was a box office tour de force, starring in show after show that were no only successes, they became some of the standout shows of the 20th century. With starring roles in such vehicles as Girl Crazy, Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madame, There's No Business Like Show Business, Gypsy and Hello Dolly, how could she be looked upon as anything short of legendary.



In 1979, Merman appeared in a television special focusing on Broadway. Merman was 71 at the time, yet still performs with such gusto and bravado, you can't help but want to leap to your feet as she is finishing. She sings Anything Goes, after being introduced by Sylvia Fine Kaye, composer and wife of star Danny Kaye.



The song is from the 1936 film Anything Goes, which featured music and lyrics by the amazing Cole Porter. Merman starred in the Broadway premier in 1934, and later in the 1936 Hollywood film. This is a song from the show, using a clip from the film. This is You're The Top with a very young Frank Sinatra.



Few could ever try to compete with her performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy. With music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Arthur Laurents, and directed by Jerome Robbins, the highly anticipated musical based on the memoirs of stripper/burlesque queen Gypsy Rose Lee. Merman's performance was memorable, and lauded by the critics. Here she is on a television special singing Everything's Coming Up Roses. The special was in 1982, and was one of the past times she sang in public.



In a side note, I have to point out I have seen countless drag queens performing as 'The Merm,' which only added to my love for her. And I hope that continues!

Dark Monday - Gypsy

One of the great musicals out there, Gypsy has stood the test of time. The 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Gypsy was based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist. There was also the 1962 film version, starring Rosalind Russell and Natalie Wood. It became ingrained in the modern culture, with Mama Rose being the quintessential stage mother, and you'd have to search far and wide to find a gay man who has not shouted out 'Sing out, Louise' at one time or another.



The list of women to play Rose is impressive. In the original production, Ethel Merman played the role, followed by Angela Lansbury in 1974, Tyne Daley in 1989, Bernadette Peters in 2003, and Patti LuPone in 2007. And that is just the Broadway production original casting, not replacements. There was also a 1993 version for television starring Bette Midler. Interestingly enough, Merman and Peters were nominated for Tony Awards, Lansbury, Daley and LuPone won the Tony, both Russell and Midler won Golden Globes, and Midler was nominated for an Emmy.



It is a simple story of a woman who had dreams of stardom, only to be sidetracked with marriage and kids. On her own with two daughters, Louise and June, she tours the smalltime circuit to make Baby June [based on real-life actress June Havoc, sister of Gypsy Rose Lee] a star. Baby June runs off with one of the boys in the chorus, and Mam Rose decided to make Louise a star, whether she likes it or not. She ultimately pushes Louise to be a vaudeville entertainer, and her stage name becomes Gypsy Rose Lee. She is infamous for never 'taking it all off' but instead offering a seductive dance. Eventually, Louise becomes a star and she and Mama have a falling out, leading to Rose telling Louise she made her a star.



The music was magical, and the lyrics inspired. Take, for example Some People, the first time you are introduced to Mama Rose. This is not a woman who will be content being a stay-at-home mother, no sir. She has dreams, not only for herself, but for her girls, too. Here is Patti LuPone in a fan video, that might lack a little in quality, but certainly Patti's performance shines through.



Perhaps the most famous song from the show is Everything's Coming Up Roses, a song in the show used by Mama Rose to bring up the spirits of Louise and Herbie after Baby June and the boys have left the show in the lurch. Here it is sung by original star, the incomparable Ethel Merman.



As Herbie, Louise and Mama Rose set their sites on a new show, they discuss the relationship in Together (Wherever We Go). Whether or not the singers are telling the truth about their own motivations, it certainly defines a good relationship. Here are Bernadette Peters, John Dossett, and Tammy Blanchard singing it. I also remember a time when this was a total must-sing song at any amateur night or talent show.



When the show they are talking about falls through, and Mama Rose turns down Herbie offer of marriage, she takes Louise from the respectable Vaudeville circuit to the shady burlesque halls. It is here Rose and Louise get a lesson from the girls about what it takes to be a stripper in You Gotta Have A Gimmick. I took this clip from the 1962 movie.



When they were just starting out and Baby June was the star of the act, she sang the song Let Me Entertain You with the innocence of a pre-teen child. When searching for a song for Louise to do her first strip number, Mama Rose pulls out the sheet music, and Louise makes it her own. As the performance moved forward, you see more polish and less innocence from the song that is no longer sung by a kid. Soon she was a pro. This is Natalie Wood, from the movie.



The big end to the show is Mama's Turn, the song that captures the breakdown/meltdown/epiphany/anger/disappointment of Mama Rose once Louise tells her she needs to back off, and let her live her own life.



Currently, there is no production of the show on Broadway or touring.

Great Women - Judy & Barbra

Both Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand deserve their own post, and they will both get it. But this particular duet is just far too outstanding to not get recognized. The event was The Judy Garland Show, taped in 1963. Barbra was at the beginning of her career, only 21 years old and hadn't hit Broadway yet with Funny Girl. Judy was at the end of her career, although she was only 41, she died less than six years later. Judy had done A Star Is Born nine years earlier, and Barbra would remake it 13 years later. But in 1963, they did a couple of songs together, the first being Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy, hits for Barbra & Judy, respectively.

They also did Hooray For Love, which compiles several songs into one.

In an oddness that can only be attributed to live television, they were joined by Ethel Merman on stage for There's No Business Like Show Business. Merman, of course, owns the song, and takes it home. Judy tried to keep up a bit, but figured it out, and Barbra just looks like she isn't sure what she got herself in to. You just figured there was a stage manager or director offstage yelling 'Sing out, Louise!'

All I can say is that VH1s Diva shows have nothing on these three ladies just daring the world to get in their way. And every gay man in the couttry had their TVs tuned into this, and lost their breathe for a few minutes. After the show, I would be willing to bet that notes were not the only belts that Judy & Ethel shared - unless the producers had the liquor cabinet locked tight.