Dark Monday • Camelot

On December 3, 1960, a beautiful and popular musical opened on Broadway with a remarkable cast. With book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Lowe, 'Camelot' set out to tell the story of the love triangle between King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot. With Richard Burton giving life to Arthur, and Julie Andrews to his queen, and Robert Goulet making his Broadway debut as Lancelot, people were intrigued with the show, and just how good it could be. Once it was running, there were no more questions, as it ran for more than three years, keeping audiences enthralled and fascinated by the story. The production won four Tony Awards, including one for star Richard Burton.

As he did win the Tony Award for 'Best Actor in a Musical' for playing King Arthur, I feel as though I should begin with Richard Burton. And I must be honest here, it is not like Burton was a great singer, but he certainly had a rich voice, with wonderful depth to it. He would basically 'talk' through his songs, but do it with great style. You can see that here with this clip of him singing live, even if it was not in costume as King Arthur. I hope you enjoy Richard Burton singing the title song, "Camelot".

It is hard to have a bad word to say about just about anything that Julie Andrews has done in her career, and this was no exception. While she was already a Broadway star, with popular turns in 'The Boy Friend' and 'My Fair Lady', Hollywood felt she wasn't a 'bankable' star, and did not use her in the film versions of the previous two, or 'Camelot'. Interestingly enough, her replacement in 'My Fair Lady', Audry Hepburn, needed Marni Nixon to sing the songs for her, and the film's Guinevere, Vanessa Redgrave, was not known as a singer. But no matter, for Julie was exceptional in the show, her voice a perfect match for Lerner and Lowe, who had also written 'My Fair Lady'. Sadly, I couldn't find a clip of her singing any of her songs live, but you will hear the greatness in Julie Andrews' recording of "Before I Gaze At You Again".

Robert Goulet was born in Massachusetts, but moved to Canada with his Canadian mother after his father passed away when he was just 13 years old. But he came back to the US, and met Lerner and Lowe in 1959, who were having trouble casting the role of Lancelot in their upcoming show. Apparently, he was the answer to their problem, for he made his Broadway debut in in the show. Goulet was a handsome man with a deep, rich voice that had the range needed for Lancelot. He wowed everyone, and it is easy to understand why when you watch this clip of Robert Goulet singing "If Ever I Would Leave You".

Together, it seems as though Andrews and Burton had a great time. In the second act, they had a charming number that can bring smiles whenever I listen to it. After all, you have 'royalty', the King and Queen of England, wondering what it is exactly the common folk did in their spare time. Burton proved to be a strong comedian, with a soft touch, and Andrews certainly kept up with him. This is Julie Andrews and Richard Burton singing "What Do the Simple Folk Do?".

It was said that after the opening of the show, the Original Cast Album became a favorite of President John F. Kennedy in the White House. It helped to add a mythic touch, and soon the Presidency became affiliated with the show, and was often referred to as 'Camelot'. You can find the 'Camelot' Original Broadway Cast album on iTunes and Amazon.

Dark Monday • Carol Channing is a Jazzz Baby!

In 1967, there was a delightful movie musical with three ladies leading the way, all of whom were pretty damn impressive in their own right. Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, and Carol Channing stole the movie with their bubbling personalities, so effervescent, you might think you are watching the musical through a glass of champagne. The soundtrack features new tunes by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn, mixed in between classic songs from the 1910s and 1920s.

In the story, Carol Channing plays Muzzy, the recently widowed step-mother of Dorothy Brown, played by Mary Tyler Moore. She is the epitome of the flapper, loving parties, dancing, and Jazz music. She really loves life, and doesn't mind sharing with others. For me, my favorite number by Channing in the movie is "Jazz Baby", a song written by M.K. Jerome and Blanche Merrill in 1919. The song was originally recorded on March 14, 1919 by Lieut. Jim Europe's 369th U.S. Infantry ("Hell Fighters") Band, with vocals by C. Creighton Thompson. But I am not sure there is a version that can top Channing's, whose big and bold personae is perfect for the song. This is vintage Channing, so please enjoy Miss Channing singing "Jazz Baby".

Julie Andrews plays the role of Millie Dillmount, who fancies herself a thoroughly modern you woman, for she left behind life in the Midwest to move to New York City to make her name. She plans on marrying well, seeking a wealthy man, with no intention of falling in love. Needless to say, along the way, Millie does fall in love, and and he falls for her. And just as expected, hilarity ensues. In the midst of all that, there are songs to be sung. When Millie first meets Trevor Graydon, played by James Fox, she is charmed by him, and while trying to interview to be his secretary. Dhe is distracted by his "Baby Face", and sings the song written by Harry Akst and Benny Davis in 1926. It was a huge hit for Jan Garber. Al Jolson and The Revelers also had success with the song. But here, we get to hear Julie Andrews sing "Baby Face".

These songs are delightful, and the movie is so very charming. While these ladies are fantastic, Beatrice Lille almost steals the show. She plays Mrs. Meers, the kindly widow who runs the Hotel that many of the young girls stay. When some of the girls go missing, more fun follows. The fashions worn by the ladies are great fun, and earned Jean Louis an Academy Ward nomination. Channing also earned a nomination as Best Supporting Actress. You can find both these songs on the 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' Soundtrack album. You can find it on iTunes and Amazon. You can also find the DVD on Amazon.

Dark Monday • Julie Andrews & Carol Burnett

This clip of Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett singing together is a wonderful example of what a great variety show could bring. To describe it, you could not do any better than Julie did on stage by saying "I thought it was be a good idea if we did a history of the musical comedies in the United States, singing songs representative of the various epochs or eras, if you will, as they were handed down through the ages and into history." It is fantastic, for Carol seemed to bring out the comedic side of Julie, and Julie brought out a wonderful song in Carol. Enjoy.



In another part of the special, Carol begins the show with "There's No Mozart Tonight", only to be interrupted by Julie. This lead them to discuss the differences between them in "You're So London." This is also from the 1962 special.



Both were part of a television special filmed at Carnegie Hall. The special won the 1963 Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Music. Carol also won an Emmy for this and her work on 1963's An Evening with Carol Burnett for Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Musical Program or Series, and Julie was also nominated in that category. Nine years later, the ladies teamed up again, in Julie And Carol at Lincoln Center. Once again, there were Emmy nominations, although no wins. You can purchase for download the songs from both specials the duo made, at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, from iTunes or Amazon.