She and Cab Calloway were amazing in this show. I saw it in 1968 and was blown by the performances. I saw Ginger Rogers a few years before and Pearl was the glue that held that show together. She was the best.
I had the greatest of pleasures working with Ms. Bailey in Hello Dolly. It was my first Broadway show and it still remains my most treasured experience and I was blessed enough to do seven shows on Broadway. Love, love, love Ms. Bailey.
And I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Channing when she was on the last national tour of 'Hello Dolly'. Pearl Bailey was always heard in my childhood home, and much admired. However, Carol Channing. "Dolly." The one, the only, even into her 80's.
I saw Pearl Bailey and the all black cast in Hello Dolly in Chicago. It was one of the greatest shows I've ever seen. She stopped the show twice. We couldn't stop applauding.
Seeing this cast on Broadway as a young teenager remains the one and only show I've been to in NYC...I remember every single thing...and now I am 64...it was electrifying.
"Hello Dolly" with Pearl Bailey was the first real show my Mother took me to when it played Boston's Shubert Theatre. I knew I wanted to see a lot more of whatever this was. The night we saw it inadvertently (long story) turned out to be it's first performance and after the show was stopped by the big number, Bailey came out of character, claimed she had so much fun, she wanted to do it again. She signaled to the conductor, the actors scurried back to first positions and they really did it.
What a great story. One of my first real shows was when my mom took me to see Pearl Bailey in hello dolly at the Los Angeles Shubert theater. Definitely cemented a lifelong love of musical theater for me.
This clip just blows my mind... I've only recently found out about this all-black production of Hello, Dolly! Why don't we know more about this? Why isn't this talked about more?! This is probably a really important part of Broadway history... 1968!!!!! Jerry Herman's music is so rooted in Dixieland jazz. It's almost as if white America was giving back what it owed to the unsung fathers and mothers of Jazz: America's black population. It's hugely important and political and so interesting!
It was so beautiful. Alongside Ethel Merman, Pearl Bailey is my fav Dolly Levi!!!!!!!!! Wish I could been alive for this. Who else has the sudden urge to dance “Put on Your Sunday Clothes?”
I saw Pearl in her "Dolly" production, and it was just so wonderful. She was so genuine and terribly funny! The show was beyond entertaining, but then I'll bet the pit orchestra could have spit bullets as she comes out after the show to do yet another act of her just talking/singing/joking with the audience. She had everyone totally in the palm of her hand. Truly a memorable evening. I communicated with her at a later time where she told me she simply wanted to get that degree from Georgetown University, and she did. It wasn't all that long after this that she passed. She got her wish, her dream, but in return she gave us, her viewing public, such wonderful and happy remembrances. May she rest in peace!
I saw Miss Bailey and Mr. Calloway in 1968 in Chicago at the Auditorium Theater. Didn't know it was an all black cast until I was 13 years old reading about the production. Color and racism is taught! And I learned that powerful lesson in part due to this performance of Hello Dolly. Still finding interviews of Pearl with Dick Cavett....etc. Love her dearly to this day!😍
Clearly Pearl Bailey is a star of awesome magnitude. Just seeing her stillness as she makes her entrance after "Sunday Clothes" The stage is frantic with trains and bustles and dancers and she suddenly owns it by appearing sitting on the luggage in a most demure pose. She knows she owns the stage. It is the confidence of an amazing stage actor. She smiles and the audience is in the palm of her hand and then she knocks "So Long Dearie" out of the park and makes it entirely her own. It would have been wonderful to see Cab Calloway but this is just fantastic!! Thanks for this!!!
I smile every time I see Miss Bailey. She was one of my dad's favourite ladies, as he called them. He liked character and this lady had it. And it isn't just her beautiful voice and song.
I love the way they both interpreted the character. Pearl is so fun to watch and i feel like she really was able to live up to carol's Dolly in her own way.
When my dad was studying at a military high school in New York, the administration sent his class to see this production, the first Broadway show for most of the students. They applauded throughout the whole show, but after the title number the boys led a standing ovation for Ms. Bailey. As my dad remembers it, she literally stopped the show, told the audience that she’d never been given a standing O after that song, and then announced they would perform it again! And they did!
I was able to see Hello Dolly with Pearl Bailey and I still remember it all these years later. I got the album and memorized all the songs until I drove everyone around me crazy. I still remember them all too.😂
I saw Pearl Baily in Hello Dolly in 1975. Hers was the only production I'd ever seen on Broadway. I'll never forget it. Pearl Baily was a legendary performer.
Just saw Bette Midler's Dolly. And now recalling my teenage self seeing Miss Bailey and Cab Calloway on Broadway in '68. Two unique entertainers...three counting Cab.
I had the great fortune of seeing this show and I was only 11!! We were visiting from San Diego. Mom got me to get Cab Calloway’s autograph on our program and we lost it when we moved !! 53 years later and I’m STILL mad about it! But the memories will never die 🥰🥰 but how was she a replacement???
My brother saw this show in San Francisco. He said that the "Hello Dolly" number was a total show stopper. Ms. Bailey had to grab a microphone, do an impromptu stand up act before the show could go on. The audience went crazy over that performance.
It actually started with Carol Channing, thus her introduction about her "dress." This was a fantastic revival with an all-black cast, but still before the movie was released.
What a treasure to have this glimpse of the great Pearl Bailey as Dolly. They really don't make 'em like that anymore. That's Jack Crowder, by the way, as Cornelius Hackl, later a soap star and a lead in many 1970s action movies. What a fine voice and performer!
+Monisa Montoya You'd think she would be. But I remember when she played Motormouth Maybelle in the remake of "Hairspray," and I expected her to make Ruth Brown look timid and submissive by comparison. Instead she was too subtle.
They do look similar in facial features only, Latifah's voice is nowhere near as deep. But Pearl was definitely a treasure. Anytime the Tony's are so impressed with you they create a special award just to honor you says a lot.
I was born in the 90's been binge watching shows and broadway from the 40's to 90's. This is an Heritage. I have been so fixated and elated. So magnificent, they don't make them like this anymore
First time watching this brilliant performance, absolutely wonderful. It's exactly what the world needs to see right now. An incredibly talented cast performing a superb musical number. Nothing else needs to be said. Love from UK
This takes me back! I saw Pearl in Hello Dolly on Broadway as a teenager. As fine a performance as I've ever seen by any actor, any time, any where. A natural.
Jack Benny appeared to the public as a whimpy milk-toast. The man had a backbone of iron. Once while staying in a hotel, there was this "certain gentleman" from a southern state that objected to the presence of a "colored man" who was a hotel guest, and wanted that man to leave. The "colored man" in question was Eddie Anderson (aka "Rochester"). Jack Benny responded by checking out of that hotel, and taking his entire staff with him.
I remember the first time I saw Pearl Bailey. It was on screen in her performance in Carmen Jones in the sextette..”Whizzing away along tracks”. The voice, the sassy personality, the brilliance of portrayal of character took hold of you. Then later in Porgy and Bess...her singing “Oh I can’t sit down”. ...just wonderful.
An amazing American, Pearl was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the New York Bronze Medal, Woman of the Year and much more. I do so miss this classy lady.
A Truly Magnificent woman; I REALLY wish that I had been alive in her prime, she was a dynamo, and the world lost a real powerhouse when she passed on. Thank You for sharing this video, from the bottom of my heart
Years ago, I created commercials for both Carol and Pearl. They were exactly as you see them here. No artifice. What you see is what you get. Maybe that's why there are no performers like this now. They were real. They had personalities. They were larger than life. Who is like that today? Bette Midler? Cher? Lady Gaga?
Mar.29: Happy birthday and RIP Singer-Actress Pearl Bailey/ Pearlie Mae; Special Tony Award, Grammy Hall of Fame, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (1910-1990) Thank you and God bless. Thanks for the upload, MrPoochsmooch. Blessings
I saw this on Broadway...just amazing cast. Too often over looked was Cab Calloway. Her connection to the audience was amazing and her "third act" where she came out after the show was fabulous!
Everyone whinging about their being no diversity in theatre and films now, they should watch this! That must have been something back in 1968 and thanks for uploading this and being able to watch this clip of a show/film I really like. Ms Streisand was an amazing Dolly Levi in the film, but I can imagine Carol Channing was amazing on stage and such a shame I was not born earlier to see her perform. I am a big fan of Ms Midler, but was not overwhelmed with the clips I have seen, maybe you had to be there! It just seemed it was Bette, being Dolly, being bette.
I had the great fortune of seeing her do Dolly about 10 years later. I can't tell you who else was in the cast, but she was Magnificent! A great performer!
Carol Channing....I feel so old. Queen Latifah been had my vote for the last twenty years as Pearl Bailey. The exact same face. This let's me know that we all die and live again.
Wow, this was great to see. I knew Pearl had done Dolly in an off-broadway production, but actually was not aware it was an all-Black cast. Having done theater myself, I would love to play the role of Dolly Levi. I agree however with TheLanard that Queen Latifah would be a dead ringer to play Ms. Bailey though. Thanks for this vintage footage.
Bailey played Dolly as the 4th replacement in the original broadway run. The order goes this way Carol Channing (1/64 to 8/65), Ginger Rogers (8/65 to 2/67) Martha Raye (2/67 to 6/67), Betty Grable (6/67 to 11/67), Pearl Bailey (11/67 to 12/69), Phyllis Diller (12/69 to 3/70) and Ethel Merman (3/70 to 12/70 closing). Despite Bailey being on for a little more than 2 years, Thelma Carpenter actually played all matinees during Bailey's tenure as well as subbed more than 100 times for Bailey outside the matinee alternate situation. Bailey returned to the role on broadway in a brief 42 performance revival in 1975 as well. I don't know the dates, but I've heard that Ms. Bailey also toured with the show as well. I've had the 60's cast recording with her for a while and just love the little Bailey touches she adds everywhere. Puts a HUGE smile on my face!
When was Angelou her understudy? Must have been on tour or in a different show. When Bailey performed this role on broadway as a replacement during the original run (1964-1970) from Nov 1967 to Dec 1969, Thelma Carpenter would perform Dolly when Bailey couldn't, which was quite often according to what I have read. Then the brief revival in 1975 had Birdie M. Hale as Bailey's Dolly understudy.
I saw her amazing performance in NYC as a teenager with standing room tickets. She was famous for her so-called "third acts", where she came back and entertained after the show. The perforance we were at, Tony Bennett was in the audience and sang I Left My Heart, Cab Calloway tapped, sang and told jokes, and Ms. Baily took her shoes off her famously tired feet, enaged in story telling and song. Truly an experience of life-long memories.
@@jaydefelice9895 she was considered for Bailey's understudy but didn't get the part...apparantly according to Angelou's son because Bailey vetoed it ..ok..that happened to so many performers, I don't think that makes her a monster....but I'm sure it was painfull for Angelou at that time
I too had the privilege of seeing this production. I can honestly say that I have seen many great Broadway shows and great performers, but I have never seen anyone command a stage the way Pearl Bailey did. There will never be another like her.
She and Cab Calloway were amazing in this show. I saw it in 1968 and was blown by the performances. I saw Ginger Rogers a few years before and Pearl was the glue that held that show together. She was the best.
I had the greatest of pleasures working with Ms. Bailey in Hello Dolly. It was my first Broadway show and it still remains my most treasured experience and I was blessed enough to do seven shows on Broadway. Love, love, love Ms. Bailey.
And I had the pleasure of working with Ms. Channing when she was on the last national tour of 'Hello Dolly'. Pearl Bailey was always heard in my childhood home, and much admired. However, Carol Channing. "Dolly." The one, the only, even into her 80's.
Jakeornot Thats right and she is!!! And shes also Black !!!
Oh, please.
Chuck Cissel wowwwww
Are you "Cisslen' Hot" Chuck Cissel?
There was no one like Pearl Bailey. She was a Gem. There was no one like Carol Channing either. Two Great Women. Two Great Entertainers.
Two Great African American Women who broke boundaries!
YOu just like her because she's black.
@@eistrenunlimited613you dislike her because she's African American.
If they ever do a bio on her, I nominate Queen Latifah!!!
Completely!
That's real!!
I second!!
Hell yeah! She played Bessie beautifully.
I concur wholeheartedly.
I saw Pearl Bailey and the all black cast in Hello Dolly in Chicago. It was one of the greatest shows I've ever seen. She stopped the show twice. We couldn't stop applauding.
Seeing this cast on Broadway as a young teenager remains the one and only show I've been to in NYC...I remember every single thing...and now I am 64...it was electrifying.
She was amazing ❤
My then girlfriend and I saw this show on Broadway with Ms. Bailey and Cab Calloway. One of the best we ever saw and my girlfriend became my wife.
I was today years old when I found out that there was an all African-American cast of Hello Dolly in 1968. How absolutely magnificent.
"Hello Dolly" with Pearl Bailey was the first real show my Mother took me to when it played Boston's Shubert Theatre. I knew I wanted to see a lot more of whatever this was. The night we saw it inadvertently (long story) turned out to be it's first performance and after the show was stopped by the big number, Bailey came out of character, claimed she had so much fun, she wanted to do it again. She signaled to the conductor, the actors scurried back to first positions and they really did it.
WOW!
What a story! 😍😍😍
What a great story. One of my first real shows was when my mom took me to see Pearl Bailey in hello dolly at the Los Angeles Shubert theater. Definitely cemented a lifelong love of musical theater for me.
This clip just blows my mind... I've only recently found out about this all-black production of Hello, Dolly! Why don't we know more about this? Why isn't this talked about more?! This is probably a really important part of Broadway history... 1968!!!!! Jerry Herman's music is so rooted in Dixieland jazz. It's almost as if white America was giving back what it owed to the unsung fathers and mothers of Jazz: America's black population. It's hugely important and political and so interesting!
AT THE TIME IT WAS THE ONLY BROADWAY MUSICAL TO HAVE TWO ORIGINAL CAST ALBUMS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT
It was so beautiful. Alongside Ethel Merman, Pearl Bailey is my fav Dolly Levi!!!!!!!!! Wish I could been alive for this. Who else has the sudden urge to dance “Put on Your Sunday Clothes?”
We did know. YOU didn't.
I saw Pearl in her "Dolly" production, and it was just so wonderful. She was so genuine and terribly funny! The show was beyond entertaining, but then I'll bet the pit orchestra could have spit bullets as she comes out after the show to do yet another act of her just talking/singing/joking with the audience. She had everyone totally in the palm of her hand. Truly a memorable evening. I communicated with her at a later time where she told me she simply wanted to get that degree from Georgetown University, and she did. It wasn't all that long after this that she passed. She got her wish, her dream, but in return she gave us, her viewing public, such wonderful and happy remembrances. May she rest in peace!
I saw Miss Bailey and Mr. Calloway in 1968 in Chicago at the Auditorium Theater. Didn't know it was an all black cast until I was 13 years old reading about the production. Color and racism is taught! And I learned that powerful lesson in part due to this performance of Hello Dolly. Still finding interviews of Pearl with Dick Cavett....etc. Love her dearly to this day!😍
Saw her on Broadway in Hello Dolly, she was GREAT. She even came out on stage after the show and just talked to the audience.
❤
Clearly Pearl Bailey is a star of awesome magnitude. Just seeing her stillness as she makes her entrance after "Sunday Clothes" The stage is frantic with trains and bustles and dancers and she suddenly owns it by appearing sitting on the luggage in a most demure pose. She knows she owns the stage. It is the confidence of an amazing stage actor. She smiles and the audience is in the palm of her hand and then she knocks "So Long Dearie" out of the park and makes it entirely her own. It would have been wonderful to see Cab Calloway but this is just fantastic!! Thanks for this!!!
Pearl deserved that award. She was simply marvelous.
I smile every time I see Miss Bailey. She was one of my dad's favourite ladies, as he called them. He liked character and this lady had it. And it isn't just her beautiful voice and song.
I love the way they both interpreted the character. Pearl is so fun to watch and i feel like she really was able to live up to carol's Dolly in her own way.
I am reliving Pearl's life writing a screenplay. She was multifaceted as a gem; phenomenal woman who loved everyone.
But unfortunately, her politics, which were on the hawk side, cast a bit of a pall for me.
MY ‘PERIL’ BAE: LEAN ON ME
O, there’s nothing wrong
With being a hawk -
Everything’s relative -
Methinks: “We should talk”...
Thank u...I miss and loved my Aunt Dick...that was are family nick name for her...I was one of the pallbearers at her funeral 😞😞😞
A screenplay! How marvelous! 😍
@@curtisck813 💜💜💜 What a beloved treasure your bloodline is 🤗
When my dad was studying at a military high school in New York, the administration sent his class to see this production, the first Broadway show for most of the students. They applauded throughout the whole show, but after the title number the boys led a standing ovation for Ms. Bailey. As my dad remembers it, she literally stopped the show, told the audience that she’d never been given a standing O after that song, and then announced they would perform it again! And they did!
Dear Pearl, I remember you, but now at 66 i see how beautiful and talented you were. I'm in Awe!
Are my eyes seeing correct, but does this woman look like Queen Latifa!?!?! Both smoking hot ladies!!!
Why do i feel tearful watching this wonderful song and production.
I'm so happy to have seen this! Also the tickets were $54.00 back then, I did see it twice! Wonderful!
Actually I'm wrong $26.00
I was able to see Hello Dolly with Pearl Bailey and I still remember it all these years later. I got the album and memorized all the songs until I drove everyone around me crazy. I still remember them all too.😂
I saw Pearl Baily in Hello Dolly in 1975. Hers was the only production I'd ever seen on Broadway. I'll never forget it. Pearl Baily was a legendary performer.
Just saw Bette Midler's Dolly. And now recalling my teenage self seeing Miss Bailey and Cab Calloway on Broadway in '68. Two unique entertainers...three counting Cab.
Pearl, is a gold nugget!!!! I love this woman!!!!
I had the great fortune of seeing this show and I was only 11!! We were visiting from San Diego. Mom got me to get Cab Calloway’s autograph on our program and we lost it when we moved !! 53 years later and I’m STILL mad about it! But the memories will never die 🥰🥰 but how was she a replacement???
WOW what a fabulous lady she was...the voice...the presence and that great cheeky personality.
My brother saw this show in San Francisco. He said that the "Hello Dolly" number was a total show stopper. Ms. Bailey had to grab a microphone, do an impromptu stand up act before the show could go on. The audience went crazy over that performance.
So interesting how I always loved this movie with Barbara steinsand never knowing that it was originated with Mrs. Pearl Bailey. Wow. Amazing.
It actually started with Carol Channing, thus her introduction about her "dress." This was a fantastic revival with an all-black cast, but still before the movie was released.
What a treasure to have this glimpse of the great Pearl Bailey as Dolly. They really don't make 'em like that anymore. That's Jack Crowder, by the way, as Cornelius Hackl, later a soap star and a lead in many 1970s action movies. What a fine voice and performer!
Jack Crowder , aka Thalmus Rasulala.
Queen Latifah would be great in this.
+Monisa Montoya You'd think she would be. But I remember when she played Motormouth Maybelle in the remake of "Hairspray," and I expected her to make Ruth Brown look timid and submissive by comparison. Instead she was too subtle.
+Monisa Montoya I had the same thought watching this.
Monisa Montoya that's cause that is her lol
They do look similar in facial features only, Latifah's voice is nowhere near as deep. But Pearl was definitely a treasure. Anytime the Tony's are so impressed with you they create a special award just to honor you says a lot.
I like Queen Latifah, but let's be honest...no one holds a candle to Pearl Bailey
Carol Channing the first colored person to star on Broadway love it. 💜💜💜💜
I was born in the 90's been binge watching shows and broadway from the 40's to 90's. This is an Heritage. I have been so fixated and elated. So magnificent, they don't make them like this anymore
What a classy lady. And what a talent!
Pearl Bailey, you're an amazing and talented singer and you will be truly missed.
That joke was quite a compliment from Jack Benny.
First time watching this brilliant performance, absolutely wonderful. It's exactly what the world needs to see right now. An incredibly talented cast performing a superb musical number. Nothing else needs to be said.
Love from UK
I can't get over how much Queen Latifah looks like Pearl Bailey.
Hey the tall guy singing is Dee and Roger dad from What's Happening!
Lol Riiiight, I had no ideal he was a song and dance man!
This takes me back! I saw Pearl in Hello Dolly on Broadway as a teenager. As fine a performance as I've ever seen by any actor, any time, any where. A natural.
Had the cast album of this production on cd. Just beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Jack Benny giving Pearl Bailey a kiss in 1968 on national TV must of had some southerners cringing. But the didn't care.
Jack Benny appeared to the public as a whimpy milk-toast. The man had a backbone of iron. Once while staying in a hotel, there was this "certain gentleman" from a southern state that objected to the presence of a "colored man" who was a hotel guest, and wanted that man to leave. The "colored man" in question was Eddie Anderson (aka "Rochester"). Jack Benny responded by checking out of that hotel, and taking his entire staff with him.
The coordination! The voices!! The costumes!!! This production is stunning! I’d do anything to find a full recording
I remember the first time I saw Pearl Bailey. It was on screen in her performance in Carmen Jones in the sextette..”Whizzing away along tracks”. The voice, the sassy personality, the brilliance of portrayal of character took hold of you. Then later in Porgy and Bess...her singing “Oh I can’t sit down”. ...just wonderful.
Pearl's beautiful. I really enjoyed this. Thanks.
David Merrick was a genius for doing the Pearl Bailey/Cab Calloway version! Love all of them, and so happy for Bette Midler now too
An amazing American, Pearl was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the New York Bronze Medal, Woman of the Year and much more. I do so miss this classy lady.
A Truly Magnificent woman; I REALLY wish that I had been alive in her prime, she was a dynamo, and the world lost a real powerhouse when she passed on. Thank You for sharing this video, from the bottom of my heart
i am soo moved by the darker complexion represent. returning to watch...
YES! this is key!!!
I discovered Hello Dolly through the Bette Midler version but I would watch the HECK out of this one!
What can one say about Pearl Bailey...one of the greatest Legends in the Entertainment Industry. To me, she was the best Dolly.
Carol is so sweet at the beginning! And Pearl is amazing, of course.
Wonderful !
It is always a gift when music helps the world to break bread together.
Years ago, I created commercials for both Carol and Pearl. They were exactly as you see them here. No artifice. What you see is what you get. Maybe that's why there are no performers like this now. They were real. They had personalities. They were larger than life. Who is like that today? Bette Midler? Cher? Lady Gaga?
Mar.29: Happy birthday and RIP Singer-Actress Pearl Bailey/ Pearlie Mae; Special Tony Award, Grammy Hall of Fame, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (1910-1990) Thank you and God bless. Thanks for the upload, MrPoochsmooch. Blessings
When I was 8, she looked old. Now that I'm 52, hubba, hubba! No wonder my mom loved her. Thanks for posting. TH-cam is amazing!
I saw this on Broadway...just amazing cast. Too often over looked was Cab Calloway. Her connection to the audience was amazing and her "third act" where she came out after the show was fabulous!
Pearl wear those eyelashes ❤️
Pearl Bailey an Icon I Will study her when I become an film director I will teach the next Generation about Pearl Bailey
It was a joy to finally see Ms Bailey in person. Love her. Love the show.
Why do I feel tearful watching this wonderful song and production?
Me too. She's so talented!
We had front row seats in NYC. Excellent. I was on my way to Puerto Rico.
Everyone whinging about their being no diversity in theatre and films now, they should watch this! That must have been something back in 1968 and thanks for uploading this and being able to watch this clip of a show/film I really like. Ms Streisand was an amazing Dolly Levi in the film, but I can imagine Carol Channing was amazing on stage and such a shame I was not born earlier to see her perform. I am a big fan of Ms Midler, but was not overwhelmed with the clips I have seen, maybe you had to be there! It just seemed it was Bette, being Dolly, being bette.
I had the great fortune of seeing her do Dolly about 10 years later. I can't tell you who else was in the cast, but she was Magnificent! A great performer!
That was absolutely extraordinary.
I *LOVE* this!!
Hi rose
I saw Pearl live in Det. in the 70's she took her shoes off and entertained us like only Pearl could do it .
Love that somewhere in the cast is my friend Quitman Fludd!
I recall my mom going to see Ms. Bailey in this version of Hello Dolly.
My mom & aunt went to see it also. My mom always said it was one of the greatest moments of her life.
That was fantastic great talent.
Greatness in this musical......
HOW AM I JUST SEEING THIS!!!! Amazing🔥
Carol Channing....I feel so old. Queen Latifah been had my vote for the last twenty years as Pearl Bailey. The exact same face. This let's me know that we all die and live again.
Queen Latifa looks like her
Doesn't she? I would love to see Queenie take on this role. I bet she'd blow the roof off.
I love this version of Hello Dolly the cast knows how to sing.
Wow, this was great to see. I knew Pearl had done Dolly in an off-broadway production, but actually was not aware it was an all-Black cast. Having done theater myself, I would love to play the role of Dolly Levi. I agree however with TheLanard that Queen Latifah would be a dead ringer to play Ms. Bailey though. Thanks for this vintage footage.
Mia Nicole
Bailey played Dolly as the 4th replacement in the original broadway run. The order goes this way Carol Channing (1/64 to 8/65), Ginger Rogers (8/65 to 2/67) Martha Raye (2/67 to 6/67), Betty Grable (6/67 to 11/67), Pearl Bailey (11/67 to 12/69), Phyllis Diller (12/69 to 3/70) and Ethel Merman (3/70 to 12/70 closing). Despite Bailey being on for a little more than 2 years, Thelma Carpenter actually played all matinees during Bailey's tenure as well as subbed more than 100 times for Bailey outside the matinee alternate situation. Bailey returned to the role on broadway in a brief 42 performance revival in 1975 as well. I don't know the dates, but I've heard that Ms. Bailey also toured with the show as well. I've had the 60's cast recording with her for a while and just love the little Bailey touches she adds everywhere. Puts a HUGE smile on my face!
The powers that be really dropped the ball on this one. Miss Bailey and her production should have been the film “Hello Dolly.” (Barbra who??? )
Such a glorious clip!
BRAVO!!!!!
Simply fantastic
Love you Miss Pearl!!!!!!!
I wish they had filmed Miss Baily's production; I'd love to see all of it.
Wow. I remember this night.
Whew child, look at that audience!
God, now I really really really want a colorblind casting version of Hello Dolly! This is phenomenal.
Carol Channing please read her autobiography .
I love this, so awesome!
Here's a big smooch for the pooch from me for this post!
The way Ms.Bailey treated her understudy the late great Maya Angelou mars all the honors she deserves!!!
When was Angelou her understudy? Must have been on tour or in a different show. When Bailey performed this role on broadway as a replacement during the original run (1964-1970) from Nov 1967 to Dec 1969, Thelma Carpenter would perform Dolly when Bailey couldn't, which was quite often according to what I have read. Then the brief revival in 1975 had Birdie M. Hale as Bailey's Dolly understudy.
I saw her amazing performance in NYC as a teenager with standing room tickets. She was famous for her so-called "third acts", where she came back and entertained after the show. The perforance we were at, Tony Bennett was in the audience and sang I Left My Heart, Cab Calloway tapped, sang and told jokes, and Ms. Baily took her shoes off her famously tired feet, enaged in story telling and song. Truly an experience of life-long memories.
@@jaydefelice9895 she was considered for Bailey's understudy but didn't get the part...apparantly according to Angelou's son because Bailey vetoed it ..ok..that happened to so many performers, I don't think that makes her a monster....but I'm sure it was painfull for Angelou at that time
BRAVO
Thank you
My parents to us to see that production. It was our 1st Broadway show.
I too had the privilege of seeing this production. I can honestly say that I have seen many great Broadway shows and great performers, but I have never seen anyone command a stage the way Pearl Bailey did. There will never be another like her.
I agree, there are only a handful left and a few with potential that my never be realized
Epic!
My parents saw this production on Broadway with Miss Bailey as Dolly
I like how for pearls version of so long dreary the drum part had a gospel type beat at the end
We love you. Pearly Mae
my heart! sigh
I was just looking at at the cast of this production. I didn't realize that Chip Fields (Tootsie's mother) had a supporting part in this production.
love pearlie maye!
WOW!!
love this!!!