They did have fun. Watching the entertainers from decades ago shows how they admired each other's talent and how entertaining the audience was most important. They had a lightheartedness that was part of their charm and that is lacking in most of the entertainers of today.
Brilliant! She knew she was loud, and made a career out of it. I wish that modern entertainment would be kept as clean and at such a high standard as this. Entertainment for fun, and not for shock.
More proof of the old tale that when asked if she gets nervous before she goes on Ethel said (paraphrasing) "why? If they could do it better than me THEY'D be up there onstage." Sounds about right to me.
Brilliantly conceived, directed, and performed by two of the twentieth century's greatest talents. I believe this is the only performance we have of Ethel and Fred together - and what a great team they made for this one and only event.
A lot of people had good natured fun with Ethel for her huge voice, including her good friend the legendary Judy Garland, (who was a great belter in her own right) but they all loved her and her voice was just amazing!
You took the words out of my mouth! Good natured joking about her vocal power was always fun, but she and the tremendous voice of Judy Garland tower above the zero talent Taylor Swifts of today. I wish Ethel could have done this song with one of them...like shooting fish in a barrel.
@@stevers62 Inevitably, there will be a comment comparing Taylor Swift, the Kardashians, or hip hop "artists" with the real talents of yesteryear. It makes no sense. Those familiar with Merman, Garland, and Astaire don't know of those others, and vice versa. The comparisons seem pretty silly... to me, anyways. But that's how it will always be.
@@akrenwinkle Well I know all of the names mentioned today and the way back when, and stand with stevers62 on his comment. PS. I'm only 45 but I listen all the stuff from the 20's on.
@@jaydefelice9887 It depends what stevers62 meant. If he meant to compare the voices of Astaire and Swift because both performers are/were stick figures with small voices, I disagree. Although sharing, with Gene Kelly, honors as film's greatest dancer, Fred had a wonderful way with putting over pop lyrics. Unlike the very successful Swift, Astaire had enormous talent. So I wouldn't agree with what stevers62 was implying... IF that's what he was implying. On the other hand, if he was suggesting that generally, mentioning Swift as an example, none of today's so-called stars should even be on the same stage as Merman, I agree completely.
What very few people realize is that several of the number Fred was singing here were from Broadway or West End shows HE starred in before he came near a camera . From 1917-1933 he starred in Jerome Kern and Gershwin hits like Punch and Judy, Lady Be Good, Funny Face, Band Wagon and the Gay Divorcee, three of which he made into films later. His stage career ended, about the time Ethel's really got going! You can safely say that Astaire found something else successful to do with his talent.
weren't they marvelous? All in good fun, but Ethel was a powerhouse of song! Her voice WAS powerful and no one will ever be able to duplicate her style.
I first heard Ethel Merman as a gr. 4 student when I watched the movie Airplane (her cameo in the hospital scene). I was so astounded by that voice, that I asked my gr, 4Home room teacher (who really loved this type of music) who Ethel Merman was. He let me borrow an Ethel Merman LP. The first song on there was, "Taking stock of what I have and what I haven´t---I've got the sun in the morning and the moon at night." That was in 1981---been loving her ever since. So wonderful that I can hear and see her here.
Two of the greatest entertainers, you could tell they were really enjoying each other's act and themselves. Too bad we don't have entertainment like this anymore, I'm thankful I can watch it on TH-cam so I guess YT is good for something,lol.
Is is possible that Merman was at her vocal zenith here? Wow, such flexibility and power. This is 1966, seven years after Gypsy. If my theatre history serves me, they first met in 1930. Astaire was brought in during rehearsals of GIRL CRAZY, to doctor up the dances. I’m guessing he did it as a favor to his pal George Gershwin, as he was uncredited. Of course, GIRL CRAZY was the show in which Merman famously made her Bway debut..Ginger Rogers being the star, Merman a featured player. The rest is theatre history. Ginger Rogers spoke of first meeting Astaire at that time. After a days rehearsal, they went out for dancing and supper. An actual date. I wonder where they went dancing? Central Park Casino? The Palais Royale? (That later became El Morocco)
Fantastic... talented... captivating... adorable... pure joy watch this show... there are no words to describe stars like Ethel Merman and Fred Astaire... Thanks for sharing
The point is not being loud, noone likes shouting. But they are cute. That breath and volumen were truly something. Gosh, what shows...hard to revive,imitate.... Tnx
Some friends were talking about Chuck Yeager being the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947, but one of them interjected that the honor actually went to Ethel Merman.
LOUD SHE WAS AND SO MUCH CHARMING! SO LOUD, SO INCREDIBLE VOICE! SO MUCH RARE AND OUT OF TIME! A VERY RARE PERSON SHE REALLY WAS TO BE! INCREDIBLE PERSON! BRAVO! MERCI BEAUCOUP FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HISTORICAL RENDITION. REALLY MERCI BEAUCOUP FROM EMMANUEL FROM PARIS FRANCE
This is nowhere near relevant to my generation. But this was great. Great performers and performances can communicate everything necessary to be perpetually relevant if they have real talent. They had talent. Amazing...
He recorded for over half a century and had 8 No. 1 hits so, yes, he could indeed sing. Certainly, the best songwriters of the era thought so. A good chunk of what is now considered part of the American Songbook was written directly for him.
Ethel Merman should have become an opera singer as she had such a loud voice as we hear in this clip. I do not think any fan of Broadway musicals would mistake her voice for another’s. She was like the sun; her rival and friend Mary Martin was like the moon as she had a very gentle voice. I miss both of the queens very much. They were just amazing singers and actresses.
Alas, the nearly naked screech owls of today have no idea how depraved with madness they really are, because when one doesn't have talent, then one must rely upon cheap and shabby diversions that never impressed me in the first place. It's the end of all humanism as we know it. Thank goodness that there are archives like this to remember how civilized entertainment used to be (in an industry that now devalues civilization itself)!
It is also the end of modesty and understament. So, when exactly did it become a crime to look well dressed and modest, without Hollywood hustling bitches exposing their fake tits on major awards shows and other less dignified platforms for shabby 'Show People' to display their crude, uncouthness and vulgarity, especiall when children could be watching? It's because the filthy garmentos who design these 'hideosities' (that belong in a catalog for Jack The Ripper), are making money off of this collection of human misery and unbelievable disgrace, that's why! (When I recently saw a Hollywood Slut du Jour who was busting out of a gown with her laboratory tits that apparently was not finished, I called it a hideosity, and I may have accidentally invented a new word, because it doesn't appear in ANY dictionary!)
@Zeljko Trifunovic Whoah, you didn't even wait for an answer. Do you know the original poster personally or are you just assuming he is like you and your family/friends?
Then there was Blossom Dearie who sang as if she were sitting across the table from you. If your criteria is volume she did use it or need it. She was a jazz singer so you may not have heard her but many people listened when she sang.
Most people under age 55 may not know who she is but know her voice from the songs from Schoolhouse Rock in the 1970s. She sang " Figure 8", "Unpack Your Adjectives" and some verses in "Mother Necessity".
Being 82 I definitely know who Ethel Merman was and I especially know I’ve got rhythm since the chords are the basis for Rhythm Changes which I had to improvise on endlessly with my teacher. My fave is Merman and Donald O’Connor singing the counterpoint duet You’re Just In Love. I contrasted Merman with Dearie because Dearie really made it feel like she was singing to you, not the whole world.
It’s funny that you mention Blossom Dearie because I liked her vocals until recently when I heard a concert performance in which she was really snotty to the audience….downright mean. Not at all what up I expected from that tiny voice. So I’m stuck in the quandary of liking her vocals somewhat but not liking her as a person. I really wish I hadn’t heard that clip. Very disillusioning.
@@stevers62 Then let's not mention that the fabulous Ethel turned out to be a right-winger back when Ronald Reagan was president. I try to forget this and appreciate her voice for the marvel it was. Cole Porter thought that she was the best singer to belt out his songs in pre-miked theaters.
You can say what you want. She was the greatest also Astaire was the greatest they both together can really carry a tune, great performance, sad they are both gone.
Ethel's type of singing is for a stage, and Fred's, for movies and microphones!
One of the luckiest audiences in history.
Lol that's a stretch
Absolutely
It's like a horn blowing contest between a Ford Escort and the Queen Mary.
😂
I know they're actors in a show, but I think they're genuinely having fun together. (which is great for us)
They did have fun. Watching the entertainers from decades ago shows how they admired each other's talent and how entertaining the audience was most important. They had a lightheartedness that was part of their charm and that is lacking in most of the entertainers of today.
People only swoon over Fred's dancing, but forget he introduced hit after hit, as important in popular music in his own way that Ethel was in her way.
Brilliant! She knew she was loud, and made a career out of it. I wish that modern entertainment would be kept as clean and at such a high standard as this. Entertainment for fun, and not for shock.
More proof of the old tale that when asked if she gets nervous before she goes on Ethel said (paraphrasing) "why? If they could do it better than me THEY'D be up there onstage." Sounds about right to me.
This is a gem and I couldn't stop smiling from ear to ear. This talent will never be seen again
Gone with the wind.
Why would someone “thumbs down” these two people ? This is better then the crap we see on tv today or any reality tv crap .
Ethel Merman was so FUNNY
Talk about comedic timing! Fred amazed me in this. Brilliant.
Wow!
Such a powerfull voice!!!
This put a smile on my face from start to finish.
Opera singers meet belters, belters meet crooners, crooners meet pop stars, and we all have a good laugh!!😂😂😂
Brilliantly conceived, directed, and performed by two of the twentieth century's greatest talents. I believe this is the only performance we have of Ethel and Fred together - and what a great team they made for this one and only event.
Her singing gives me the goosebumps. So good!
Aaron Matthews remember even singers of my age which is close to 60 now saying she was so good it was scary
A lot of people had good natured fun with Ethel for her huge voice, including her good friend the legendary Judy Garland, (who was a great belter in her own right) but they all loved her and her voice was just amazing!
You took the words out of my mouth! Good natured joking about her vocal power was always fun, but she and the tremendous voice of Judy Garland tower above the zero talent Taylor Swifts of today. I wish Ethel could have done this song with one of them...like shooting fish in a barrel.
@@stevers62 Inevitably, there will be a comment comparing Taylor Swift, the Kardashians, or hip hop "artists" with the real talents of yesteryear. It makes no sense. Those familiar with Merman, Garland, and Astaire don't know of those others, and vice versa. The comparisons seem pretty silly... to me, anyways. But that's how it will always be.
@@akrenwinkle Well I know all of the names mentioned today and the way back when, and stand with stevers62 on his comment. PS. I'm only 45 but I listen all the stuff from the 20's on.
@@jaydefelice9887 It depends what stevers62 meant. If he meant to compare the voices of Astaire and Swift because both performers are/were stick figures with small voices, I disagree. Although sharing, with Gene Kelly, honors as film's greatest dancer, Fred had a wonderful way with putting over pop lyrics. Unlike the very successful Swift, Astaire had enormous talent. So I wouldn't agree with what stevers62 was implying... IF that's what he was implying. On the other hand, if he was suggesting that generally, mentioning Swift as an example, none of today's so-called stars should even be on the same stage as Merman, I agree completely.
How about her cameo in "Airplane"? So funny.
Ethel jamming Soviet radar
Sonar
That's hilarious!
I always comment how Ethel was a National Treasure - here we have two NATIONAL TREASURES on stage together.
What very few people realize is that several of the number Fred was singing here were from Broadway or West End shows HE starred in before he came near a camera . From 1917-1933 he starred in Jerome Kern and Gershwin hits like Punch and Judy, Lady Be Good, Funny Face, Band Wagon and the Gay Divorcee, three of which he made into films later. His stage career ended, about the time Ethel's really got going! You can safely say that Astaire found something else successful to do with his talent.
"Can't act, can't sing, can dance a little". When he was already a huge star in New York and London.
Wonderful the best nothing compares today ,,,
What an unbelievable medley of songs and class, in an era when having professional talent was enough and appreciated. Simply Marvelous!
2 of my absolute favorites and total opposites together. This is heaven!!!
Miss those great entertainers. Nobody around today like them. Such class!
She was so talented. That projection is unmatched.
Lovely !
weren't they marvelous? All in good fun, but Ethel was a powerhouse of song! Her voice WAS powerful and no one will ever be able to duplicate her style.
I first heard Ethel Merman as a gr. 4 student when I watched the movie Airplane (her cameo in the hospital scene). I was so astounded by that voice, that I asked my gr, 4Home room teacher (who really loved this type of music) who Ethel Merman was. He let me borrow an Ethel Merman LP. The first song on there was, "Taking stock of what I have and what I haven´t---I've got the sun in the morning and the moon at night." That was in 1981---been loving her ever since. So wonderful that I can hear and see her here.
Two of the greatest entertainers, you could tell they were really enjoying each other's act and themselves. Too bad we don't have entertainment like this anymore, I'm thankful I can watch it on TH-cam so I guess YT is good for something,lol.
Merman was so funny. Perfect timing and delivery.
Is is possible that Merman was at her vocal zenith here? Wow, such flexibility and power. This is 1966, seven years after Gypsy.
If my theatre history serves me, they first met in 1930. Astaire was brought in during rehearsals of GIRL CRAZY, to doctor up the dances. I’m guessing he did it as a favor to his pal George Gershwin, as he was uncredited. Of course, GIRL CRAZY was the show in which Merman famously made her Bway debut..Ginger Rogers being the star, Merman a featured player. The rest is theatre history. Ginger Rogers spoke of first meeting Astaire at that time. After a days rehearsal, they went out for dancing and supper. An actual date. I wonder where they went dancing? Central Park Casino? The Palais Royale? (That later became El Morocco)
Its really a privilege to watch this video. What a couple, what a performance. A Masterpiece.
Bravo million times !!!
What a delight! Not only two fine performers but material arranged to match their talents. Thanks for posting.
I just loved Fred Astaire! So classy
Golden era for art and music
Damn !
So wonderful...nothing like it today...Thank you
Fantastic... talented... captivating... adorable... pure joy watch this show... there are no words to describe stars like Ethel Merman and Fred Astaire... Thanks for sharing
Fred is hilarious 😂
The point is not being loud, noone likes shouting. But they are cute. That breath and volumen were truly something. Gosh, what shows...hard to revive,imitate.... Tnx
Never again! Thank God for Video & Audio!!
My grandfather LOVED Ethel Merman.
When Toscanini first heard her sing he said, “ That’s not a voice! It’s a band!”
Ethel Merman WAS Broadway!
So wonderful. Those two, the banter and the talent. I could watch this all day. :)
Fantastic!
Some friends were talking about Chuck Yeager being the first person to break the sound barrier in 1947, but one of them interjected that the honor actually went to Ethel Merman.
LOUD SHE WAS AND SO MUCH CHARMING! SO LOUD, SO INCREDIBLE VOICE! SO MUCH RARE AND OUT OF TIME! A VERY RARE PERSON SHE REALLY WAS TO BE! INCREDIBLE PERSON! BRAVO! MERCI BEAUCOUP FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HISTORICAL RENDITION. REALLY MERCI BEAUCOUP FROM EMMANUEL FROM PARIS FRANCE
This is a big thrill finding this clip. Two genuine legends. Fantastic songs. Simply wonderful to watch.
He tries to pat two more seconds of air out of his belly at the end, LOL. What a great scene.
I love Ethel Mermans self irony.
This is hilarious! They’re so natural and genuine or authentic. Nowadays it all seems me a clown show
This is nowhere near relevant to my generation. But this was great. Great performers and performances can communicate everything necessary to be perpetually relevant if they have real talent. They had talent. Amazing...
Yes.
They're so talented they will be relevant.
Andy Rehorn GREAT music stays, STAYS relevant.
i so miss. these musical shows and this is a classic
More please ❤😊
Genius!!!!
Her accent is charming.
Fabulous! Priceless! WOW!!!
Stupendous. Lucky lucky audience.
An absolute delight. Thanks for sharing. I am in awe of such talent!
Marvelous!
Grinning the whole way through!
Brilliant!
Wish I could LOVE this and not just 'like' it...
NO one Like Ethel.An original!RIP.As a child she would make me laugh.
This is great - thanks for posting it!!
That is talent. Stars today cannot sing like this. Stars were real stars during this era.
Bzzzzzz. Wrong. You've got cloudy nostalgia glasses still on!?
Great pairing...nice medley
Classy!
Unmatched talent ….
Spectacular!!!An incredible performance!!!
What a charming performance! I wonder how much you can actually hear from this performance in the recording.
Bravo
What a joy to watch, two great's
They were the best. Man, what pipes and I would have loved to have danced with him.
Just LOVE IT!
Well done you legends!
She even said "loud" loud. 😁
Just saw this HerVoice Is Powerful😳😳😳 didn't know Fred could sing thought he just a dancer.
He recorded for over half a century and had 8 No. 1 hits so, yes, he could indeed sing. Certainly, the best songwriters of the era thought so. A good chunk of what is now considered part of the American Songbook was written directly for him.
He was splendid and unique singer.
This is a kinescope taken from a ROUND picture tube. Before 1966 all color TVs (all made by RCA) had round picture tubes.
Fabulous!!! Thank you stevers62
Ethel Merman should have become an opera
singer as she had such a loud voice as we hear in this clip. I do not think any fan of Broadway musicals would mistake her voice for another’s. She was like the sun; her rival and friend Mary Martin was like the moon as she had a very gentle voice. I miss both of the queens very much. They were just amazing singers and actresses.
This brightened my day.
Alas, the nearly naked screech owls of today have no idea how depraved with madness they really are, because when one doesn't have talent, then one must rely upon cheap and shabby diversions that never impressed me in the first place. It's the end of all humanism as we know it. Thank goodness that there are archives like this to remember how civilized entertainment used to be (in an industry that now devalues civilization itself)!
Well said :-)
It is also the end of modesty and understament. So, when exactly did it become a crime to look well dressed and modest, without Hollywood hustling bitches exposing their fake tits on major awards shows and other less dignified platforms for shabby 'Show People' to display their crude, uncouthness and vulgarity, especiall when children could be watching? It's because the filthy garmentos who design these 'hideosities' (that belong in a catalog for Jack The Ripper), are making money off of this collection of human misery and unbelievable disgrace, that's why! (When I recently saw a Hollywood Slut du Jour who was busting out of a gown with her laboratory tits that apparently was not finished, I called it a hideosity, and I may have accidentally invented a new word, because it doesn't appear in ANY dictionary!)
lol. The real question is where do they hide the auto tune?
@Zeljko Trifunovic Whoah, you didn't even wait for an answer. Do you know the original poster personally or are you just assuming he is like you and your family/friends?
Hmm... everything you said is true, but...I'm worried about you. Have you tried antidepressants?
Just great🤩
I have only one word: Wow!
she's absolutely bloody hilarious...love her....awesome talent
Wow! Speechless!
Wow this amazing! Ethel is so captivating
Love both of them
What a gift!
Legend. Voice. Presence. Broadway.
Great Great stuff! 👍🏼
LOVE IT SOME GREAT SONG FROM THEM REALLY ENTERTAINING
legends
Then there was Blossom Dearie who sang as if she were sitting across the table from you. If your criteria is volume she did use it or need it. She was a jazz singer so you may not have heard her but many people listened when she sang.
Most people under age 55 may not know who she is but know her voice from the songs from Schoolhouse Rock in the 1970s. She sang " Figure 8", "Unpack Your Adjectives" and some verses in "Mother Necessity".
Being 82 I definitely know who Ethel Merman was and I especially know I’ve got rhythm since the chords are the basis for Rhythm Changes which I had to improvise on endlessly with my teacher. My fave is Merman and Donald O’Connor singing the counterpoint duet You’re Just In Love. I contrasted Merman with Dearie because Dearie really made it feel like she was singing to you, not the whole world.
It’s funny that you mention Blossom Dearie because I liked her vocals until recently when I heard a concert performance in which she was really snotty to the audience….downright mean. Not at all what up I expected from that tiny voice. So I’m stuck in the quandary of liking her vocals somewhat but not liking her as a person. I really wish I hadn’t heard that clip. Very disillusioning.
@@stevers62 Then let's not mention that the fabulous Ethel turned out to be a right-winger back when Ronald Reagan was president. I try to forget this and appreciate her voice for the marvel it was. Cole Porter thought that she was the best singer to belt out his songs in pre-miked theaters.
i'm in Heaven!!
He’s right they’re not a good match, and that’s what made this so cute to watch!! When was this from?
Just nothing and nobody like them any more - a joy to watch and listen too. Sheer fun!
Wonderful...!
You can say what you want. She was the greatest also Astaire was the greatest they both together can really carry a tune, great performance, sad they are both gone.