Carol Channing in HELLO, DOLLY! (1967, White House)

Today marks the centenary of the birth of Carol Channing, one of the brightest shining stars of the Broadway musical theatre. Her radiance, her wit, her generosity, en somme her talent, left a unique indelible mark on the theatre, and uplifted the lives of every audience she played for.
On January 17, 1967, the cast of the second national tour of Hello, Dolly!, along with Carol Channing, performed an abbreviated command version of the show at the White House. The event was filmed in colour by the White House's naval photographic unit, as well as ABC News television cameras. Although the TV footage included sound, it wasn't available, so it was dubbed with the earliest available live recording with Ms Channing - of the 1978 touring revival. This was also done for the rest of the colour footage, which was silent, with the exception of the first song, for which I used the 1965 tape with Mary Martin from Tokyo.
First seen is a brief newsreel introducing the event, followed by some brief silent footage of the introduction, given by Mr Gower Champion himself. Next is "Elegance," the Waiters' Gallop, "Hello, Dolly!", Dolly's final monologue, and the curtain calls.

[@jlasf]

Worked with Carol on an ad and she was fantastic. She WAS Carol Channing 24 hours a day. A force of nature and larger than life. Thanks so much for finding this.

[@Gameboyboy17]

Oh my god! This is immaculate! Where did you ever find such a thing? Seeing Channing in her prime is a TRUE treat! And a marvel to witness!

[@AKoooooooo]

Well. I just wept for 8 minutes straight... heh. I might just *really* miss going to the theater or something...

[@achimgussgen-ackva8637]

I saw her in New York as Dolly, it was either 1996 or 1998, I have to look it up. It was magnificient, she was as young as ever and I cherish my good fortune to have obtained a ticket that night.

[@dennett73mk]

Carol and I have the same birthday, a few years apart! Always a big fan!

[@showtunestarpower]

What wonderful assemblage. Thank you so much. It is so wonderful to have those color moments. Channing is absolutely beautiful

[@BentonFranklinHealthDistrict]

I wish I could have met her. I wish I could have asked her all the questions in the world, like "how do we reach world peace," because I feel like she would have had the BEST answer to that question! And I wish she could have been my Grandma, I think she would have been kind, sang us all the best songs. And if she was not a cookie baker, that would be okay, I would just want the songs and stories! God Bless you Carol!

[@aarontakesbroadway]

Nothing beats Carol Channing belting out Hello, Dolly! Especially on her birthday, happy 100th B-day Carol! 🤗🤩

[@calisongbird]

She died at age 97 in 2019

[@aarontakesbroadway]

@@calisongbirdYes I know, but I posted this comment in 2021, as in she would’ve been 100 had she still been alive.

[@hazelkwak6336]

She must have been just the bestest and funnest person to be around. A true blessing and great energy. Bless her heart.

[@wickedfan811]

THIS IS UNBELIEVEABLE.
WOW
THANK YOU

[@johnflynn9619]

Carol was a PRO. RIP
The One and Only - Dolly.

[@ke4196]

Thank you for this footage!

[@lovekojl997]

It's s SHAME that it's been over a year and the views are only 10T plus!

[@austingraycloud3517]

I wish we could all live forever. Love you Carol.

[@RobiN-ei2ih]

Simply marvelous, Dolly

[@matthawkins1771]

Omg thank you so much for uploading this! I've been looking for it for forever!

[@dontworry9372]

Wow this is SO cool

[@rosssallee9790]

It should have been her in the film.

[@susanpayer3472]

Why the switching between color and B&W?

[@retirwtseb1]

I imagine because the color camera was kept pretty much in closeup of Channing and the b&w one caught the action on a wider scale. I can live with it.

[@shawnmulligan2894]

I wish that someone had the audio to the broadcast!!!

[@themagicaladventuresofliam4615]

I own the dress from the clip, id love to display it somewhere.

[@michellewilliamsvinson9706]

If you still have it donate it to the African American museum in DC

[@themagicaladventuresofliam4615]

I wanted to sell it to the museum of broadway but they didnt have the funds for restoration @@michellewilliamsvinson9706

[@beek.4860]

@@michellewilliamsvinson9706 Yes!!

[@theghostofboxes2192]

Is there anymore footage out their or is this it?

[@philipcrosby3792]

Do we know the cast members? It looks like Rex Robbins as Cornelius.

[@nickbigd]

Don’t know but IBDB does not list Hello Dolly in his Bway credits

[@nickbigd]

But it does list him in the touring company around this time, so that makes sense. Good eye 👍🏻

[@joliecamerota45]

Aquarius

[@bartvanos1466]

I always wonder how many in the closet gays were dancing there in 1967. They had to wait 2 years before they could breathe some air.

[@ronronizetti2534]

I can assure you if they were dancing there, WITH Carol Channing, they were NOT in the closet! The stage and theatre was a haven