when you see art like this, pure genius that you can both appreciate and emotionally be aroused by, you wonder how we ended up in our state of artistic complacency today.
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me because I remembered Imogene Coca doing this skit. Nannette Fabray is also terrific. I guess they both did it with Sid Caesar at different times. It's brilliantly conceived and carried out.
At the end I laughed so much my cats came over to see why I was cracking up. Sid Cesar and Nanette Fabray were outstanding!! I wonder how many times they rehearsed this classic. This is ENTERTAINMENT!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Wonderful and great......Classic Television that will NEVER NEVER be seen again...these days are passed and gone....even though it was before my time....i still treasure Classics performances like these
Very funny. I laughed out loud. Everyone here gives Sid Caeser credit and he was extremely funny but the woman (I don't know her name) made a great contribution to this sketch too.
Considering Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Danny and Neil Simon and others were writing behind the scenes, it has to be brilliant. I wonder who helped block the piece? And the live directing with probably two cameras (maybe 3) was brilliantly crafted. Genius on all accounts!
HAHAHAHAHAH THIS IS HILARIOUS!! totally brilliant. it really is hearing the piece in a new way... such a serious piece too, it's amazing what they did with it. The choreography is perfect.
Absolutely brilliant. I was totally absorbed. I loved especially the "yes" and "no" back-and-forth, and the point at which Nanette very clearly mouthed "my mother!" giving context to at least the first part of the argument.
Thanks very much for posting this. A routine such as this one requires a level of talent, timing, and cultural literacy found all too rarely amongst today's performers (and audiences).
Absolutely BRILLIANT! Who could do this today? No one. Sid Caesar, Nanette Fabray, Danny Kaye, Imogene Coca, Mel Brooks, Lucille Ball, Steve Allen, etc. - a specific glorious time. Wonderfully funny things are done today - just different thought processes. I LOVE this era. I also wish we ladies could wear clothes like the movie characters of the 40's did. What marvelous dresses, shoes, hats and coats. Gloves! Like Bette Davis in Now, Voyager. Bless the technology that preserves this wonder.
My word, why haven't a bunch of other comedians stolen this, as they have everything else Sid Caesar ever did. They wouldn't be 10% as good, but 10% would seem like millions to most people who watched.
This gives me joy. Nobody's born knowing about everybody... good for you, seeing quality on an initial exposure to a performer who is new to you, and seeking out more of his work.
Supreme demonstration of nonverbal communication in fusion with one of the greatest classicals! I'm so glad I chanced upon this!! (Oh where have all the great comedies gone now...)
One of the most glorious pieces of television ever made. I hope there's a higher quality copy out there somewhere, and that it will find its way to the general public. :)
its like dance, the music is the script, they are interpreting the music following an argument inspired in the music caracter, one of many interpretation,what achievment!!
I love this clip! I remember having to memorize this movement chord by chord at Eastman for a quiz. Wish I had this video back then. I'm sure Professor Marvin would have loved it too!
Liren Chen We studied the Fifth for a week or two fifty years ago at Stanford in Germany. The University organist was over with us as our professor. It still pays in my mind as I hear it.
This is actually quite enlightening about the dialectic character of this movement, the asking strings, the crushing answers of the brass, every intensifying until the code where brass and timpani cut through the strings' question mercilessly - or should, quite often this essential detail of the score is obscured by an over-sized string section, smeared articulation and the mellower, quieter modern trumpets.
Nanette Fabray's 6 part archive interview is on You Tube. She is 84 years old in the interview and does wonderfully In part 3 14:40 she is asked about this Argument sketch. Although her memory seems excellent she doesn't recall doing it. This is an indication of how incredibly routine brilliant productions were at the time.
![SID CAESAR: On the Docks [SPOOF] (CAESAR'S HOUR - VERY rare sketch)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2aTbfEOET_c/mqdefault.jpg)
Nanette Fabray passed away today (Feb. 23, 2018) at age 97. RIP. This skit is a piece of genius!
It most certainly IS!!!!
It looks just like Beethoven watched this video and then wrote the music for it. Absolutely dead-on!
Still one of the best interpretations and commentary on Beethoven's Fifth, opening movement.
when you see art like this, pure genius that you can both appreciate and emotionally be aroused by, you wonder how we ended up in our state of artistic complacency today.
I saw Sid Caeasr do this live with Imogene Coca on their "Together Again" tour in 1991. One of the best shows I ever saw!
I thought my mind was playing tricks on me because I remembered Imogene Coca doing this skit. Nannette Fabray is also terrific. I guess they both did it with Sid Caesar at different times. It's brilliantly conceived and carried out.
A brilliant talented performance - with a real twist to the ending!
Sid Caesar was my role model or idol as a kid. Loved this show immensely. One reason I went into acting was because of him. A genius in many ways.
Wow! That's really all I can say! This is the greatest pantomime I've ever seen, hands down.
At the end I laughed so much my cats came over to see why I was cracking up. Sid Cesar and Nanette Fabray were outstanding!! I wonder how many times they rehearsed this classic. This is ENTERTAINMENT!!! Thanks for sharing!!
Wonderful and great......Classic Television that will NEVER NEVER be seen again...these days are passed and gone....even though it was before my time....i still treasure Classics performances like these
Very funny. I laughed out loud. Everyone here gives Sid Caeser credit and he was extremely funny but the woman (I don't know her name) made a great contribution to this sketch too.
Nanette Fabray. She was extremely talented and a funny lady.
Considering Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Danny and Neil Simon and others were writing behind the scenes, it has to be brilliant. I wonder who helped block the piece? And the live directing with probably two cameras (maybe 3) was brilliantly crafted. Genius on all accounts!
Standing ovation!! I used to "play" to classical my mom had on the "hi-fi" - what a reminder of what the mind can come up with!
Simplemente, un homenaje impecable al padre de la música! Magnifico...
OK, OK, Sid's a genius, but let's hear it for Nanette a little. Fabulous piece!
She is his equal here!
@Aritosthenes She was delightful. Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant! What extraordinary musicianship it takes to do this!!! Love it love it.
HAHAHAHAHAH THIS IS HILARIOUS!! totally brilliant. it really is hearing the piece in a new way... such a serious piece too, it's amazing what they did with it. The choreography is perfect.
Pure genius. And it stands the test of time.
Tremendous classic! Thanks. You are super-conservator!
Absolutely brilliant. I was totally absorbed. I loved especially the "yes" and "no" back-and-forth, and the point at which Nanette very clearly mouthed "my mother!" giving context to at least the first part of the argument.
Ahhh, refreshing! Television the way it was meant to be. I'd gladly trade anything on TV nowadays for pure talent such as this.
Thanks very much for posting this. A routine such as this one requires a level of talent, timing, and cultural literacy found all too rarely amongst today's performers (and audiences).
Absolutely BRILLIANT! Who could do this today? No one. Sid Caesar, Nanette Fabray, Danny Kaye, Imogene Coca, Mel Brooks, Lucille Ball, Steve Allen, etc. - a specific glorious time. Wonderfully funny things are done today - just different thought processes. I LOVE this era. I also wish we ladies could wear clothes like the movie characters of the 40's did. What marvelous dresses, shoes, hats and coats. Gloves! Like Bette Davis in Now, Voyager. Bless the technology that preserves this wonder.
Love this! Priceless - they were both so talented.
Thanks!!! I will use this for students to write a short scene for English class! :)
I reckon even Ludwig Van Beethoven himself would be delighted by this. It's brilliant!
My word, why haven't a bunch of other comedians stolen this, as they have everything else Sid Caesar ever did.
They wouldn't be 10% as good, but 10% would seem like millions to most people who watched.
it gave the symphony some spirit!!!! i love it
Bravo and Brava! A classic masterpiece.
I saw it when it was broadcast on "Your Shows of Show." It's just as funny today and I'll be rewatching many more. (Aug 8, 2024)
It's not just the acting, but the story that makes it amazing :)
This gives me joy. Nobody's born knowing about everybody... good for you, seeing quality on an initial exposure to a performer who is new to you, and seeking out more of his work.
Fabulous... I love the yes/no argument where they switch over. I can never listen to Beethoven 5 the same again!
One of the first (and greatest) comedians on television. It doesn't get any better than Cid Caesar. Thanks for posting this.
Just....
I...
I am speechless. This is absolutely masterful. One of the most brilliant things I've ever seen
Absolutely brilliant!...Beethoven's Fifth is one of my favorites. But now I'm afraid I'll only laugh every time I hear it again. ;-)
Supreme demonstration of nonverbal communication in fusion with one of the greatest classicals! I'm so glad I chanced upon this!! (Oh where have all the great comedies gone now...)
magnifico bravo!!! una obra de arte..aprendan artistas de estos dos genios!
This show and his previous shows are pure genius, true comedy. Much missed.
Downright brilliant! Thanks for posting this gem.
this video relaxes me at night.The music, the classic acting. Brilliant
One of the most glorious pieces of television ever made. I hope there's a higher quality copy out there somewhere, and that it will find its way to the general public. :)
A brilliant idea, conceived by Sid and his legendary writing staff, and flawlessly carried out by Sid and Nanette.
its like dance, the music is the script, they are interpreting the music following an argument inspired in the music caracter, one of many interpretation,what achievment!!
Cool! Old film that's actually still cool 60 years later!
L00ks fantastic with the body language actions and the music thanks for sharing Pia
Awesome! There's true comedic genius at work here.
I love this clip! I remember having to memorize this movement chord by chord at Eastman for a quiz. Wish I had this video back then. I'm sure Professor Marvin would have loved it too!
Liren Chen We studied the Fifth for a week or two fifty years ago at Stanford in Germany. The University organist was over with us as our professor. It still pays in my mind as I hear it.
I rarely comment on videos- but thank you so much for adding this. What a gem!
Marvelous!! What memories.
haha the repetitive motif does really sound like ramblings...brilliant!
FANTASTIC !!!
My day, will be BETTER ...
Thanks to you and Uploader !!!
I think this is brilliant and one of the funniest things I've ever seen!
This extradinarily well done... and that goes for the camera work and direction, too. No zoom lenses back then, you know.
They get it so right.
This piece speaks to you exactly like an argument or a battle.
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!
That was brilliant! Thanks for posting this!
Absolutely brilliant. Thanks for the post.
Agreed with most everyone. Brilliant concept and perfectly executed!
Amazing!!! I love the yes, no, yes, no part and of course the ending... what talent...
This was really funny. It's not what the actual emotion of the song is, but the implication is hysterical. Good job.
this proofs that you don't need words to tell a story in music!
Excellent. Thanks you SO much for posting this!
This is actually quite enlightening about the dialectic character of this movement, the asking strings, the crushing answers of the brass, every intensifying until the code where brass and timpani cut through the strings' question mercilessly - or should, quite often this essential detail of the score is obscured by an over-sized string section, smeared articulation and the mellower, quieter modern trumpets.
Magnificent and sublime.
R. I. P. Sid
I am in awe. Live TV... thank god the tape still exists.
The best part is "YOUR MOTHER!" "MY MOTHER?!" at 2:00.
Extraordinary.
perfect!!!!!!Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ Παναγιώτη!
hehe this is so cool, it almost seems like they're conductors since they played along so well...
Now THAT is what I call PURE talent!
This is sheer genius. Almost 6 solid minutes of carefully choreographed "story" timed perfectly to the music. Absolutely BRILLIANT. WHO ARE THESE TWO?
absolute brilliance...clean sketch comedy!!
Nanette Fabray's 6 part archive interview is on You Tube. She is 84 years old in the interview and does wonderfully In part 3 14:40 she is asked about this Argument sketch. Although her memory seems excellent she doesn't recall doing it. This is an indication of how incredibly routine brilliant productions were at the time.
I watched this LIVE on our old RCA Victor TV with the (_) screen! This was ca. 1953.
hahahah this cracked me up... we need more shenanigans like this nowadays. :)
I loved it; thanks for sharing!
so funny at the end!! really good interpretation and acting!
This is great. I only knew of him from It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Absolutely brilliant.
A masterpiece!!
- c.a.t.
Classics never die.
what a great idea!!!! perfect.
The arguments I had with my wife were more like Stravinsky's Rites of Spring.
That's kind of hot.
Very creative. Love it. WELL choreographed!
Wow! I was just listening to Bach's Fugue No. 2 in C Minor, and I was imagining how an argument would fit that music. This is such a great find.
Wonderful! The dog turned out to be man's best friend In the end.
The Halo Grower, How do you know it wasn't a cat?
Movement One (of four). Sounds like Toscanini's recording of it from that general time. Long live Caesar and Fabray!
Better than anything that has ever been on MTV!
This was truly wonderful!
Very clever. Sid was a genius.
WOW! Fantastic!
that was amazing. what a great job
thanks for sharing . Very creative.
I enjoyed.
HAHAHAA!! This is soo funny! XD The "Yes-No" and "Ha-ha-ha"-parts is the funniest XD
i cant say how that was great.. wow!
Genius, sheer genius!
F*cking BRILLIANT! A couple of real pros right there.
very famous - Sid Caesar & Nannette Fabray - Your Show of Shows