There will never be another Mary Martin or Ethel Merman, or the shows that they did (South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Gypsy, etc.) Same with Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Hammerstein
I can't believe that this moment on television existed. Mary Martin three inches away from Richard Rodgers and both of them bringing to life A WONDERFUL GUY. I just love the way Mary Martin says the word "theatre" - and everything else she says.
I love this song. For me there Ms. Martin's is the finest. And yet, this casual version with a simple piano accompaniment is suddenly my favorite version. Thanks so much for this post!
most wonderful to see where do you find all these terrific things Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical partnership is my avocation thank you thank you for letting us see this a true gem
Mary Martin had presence and charm like no other star at that time. The voice was not great, but it was good. Hear her sing Speak Low from One Touch of Venus, her Broadway-starring show, sometime. Nobody ever did it better. Interviewed her once, back when, at the KenCen, and as star interviews go, she was one of the best. Candid, shrewd and funny, and an utter delight.
The voice was not great? Are you kidding? Comparing her to Ponselle or Sutherland? Okay. But comparing her to other females who sang in the same realm, no. Her voice was lovely, rich, and WAY above average. Add to her beautiful vocal quality, her range, her technique, her impeccable diction, her interpretative ability, the ease with which she could sing virtually any genre and make it memorable, she was truly unique and her vocal abilities were matched by few. Watch her sing, "Un bel di," ("One Fine Day" with Noel Coward reacting) and though it is done in a comedy vein, one can easily tell, yes, she could have sung it straight and well. Then, couple all that with her incomparable personality, her sheer love of both what she was doing and of the audiences which flocked to see her, her graciousness and humility, ALL made her a true legend, and oh so sorely missed. And the proof of all this is right here on TH-cam. From the well known Broadway songs (including the very different and difficult "Lonely Goatherd," and "Oh My Mysterious Lady") to recordings of "Some Day My Prince Will Come," "Daughter of Silence," "Boy Wanted," "I'm Making Believe on Christmas Eve," to "Let's Fall in Love," and her knockout rendition of "America the Beautiful," etc., etc., etc. Mary Martin had the total God given package.
This is a treasure! Pure gold! The greatest composer of the 20th century alongside the greatest star of Broadway that ever lived! Thank you for posting this!
I didn't know that this existed! What a treasure! Mary Marty starts her phrase about 5 notes too high almost three minutes in which proves that anybody, even a great professional like her, can make a mistake...
I’ll trust Mary Martin before Richard Rogers any day so I’d say it’s his error. His mention of Josh Logan is pretty brazen considering how R & H cheated him out of percentages for his co-authorship of the SOUTH PACIFIC book and reduced his directorial billing. No wonder that the theatrical quality of work in the last half of their partnership was poor when directors or book writers of repute wouldn’t work with them.
If this 1951, was there any mention or participation from Gertrude Lawrence in THE KING AND I? Where did this excerpt come from and where is the entire program? Do you where to get a copy of the 1954 tribute to Rogers and Hammerstein that Mary Martin also hosted?
Mary Martin sure was a big star back then. Not the greatest singer, but people loved her. Richard Rodgers was and always will be a musical legend, no doubt the greatest Broadway composer of all time.
Mary Martin was one of the greatest singers ever of the Broadway stage. This excerpt doesn't show her true vocal range. It is a song that requires more personality than voice It is that type of song. . She trained as an opera singer and was able to keep her voice in great shape throughout her career. People loved her for many reasons her voice which one critic called "as warm and ripe as fine wine" and for her radiant personality.
Dennett Boyd: Yes you are greatly mistaken. She was a very talented performer as an actress and singer. Both MY FAIR LADY and MAME were offered to her and her was initially attached to MY MAN which a few years later would become FUNNY GIRL (Sondheim admired her greatly but couldn’t see her as Fanny Brice and bowed out. Anne Bancroft was signed, heard the score (admittedly written for Streisand after hearing her sign) and left. BUT Mary Martin was great, just great. She had more of a mezzo voice with an upper register and her cast albums and recordings are very enjoyable. No one listening to the cast album of THE SOUND OF MUSIC would think, or to see her, that she was 45. The same thing with Ethel Merman on the RCA Lincoln Center revival recording of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Superb for a woman of 58, even better than her GYPSY cast album. Now Dennett, who do you think we’re greater singers on Broadway at that time?
![What's My Line? - Rodgers & Hammerstein; Martin Gabel & Paulette Goddard [panel] (Nov 29, 1959)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/N_DQaoJKUgU/mqdefault.jpg)
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 87 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "ก้องชัย vs โชคปรีชา"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YN6e7HVnekw/mqdefault.jpg)
This is a once in a lifetime experience for me! ❤Rodgers and Martin! 😊
Talk about "theater magic." THIS IS IT in its purest form. Legends collaborating.
There will never be another Mary Martin or Ethel Merman, or the shows that they did (South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Gypsy, etc.) Same with Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Hammerstein
concur completely
I totally second that.
Martin and Rodgers--two legends of musical theatre!!!
I can't believe that this moment on television existed. Mary Martin three inches away from Richard Rodgers and both of them bringing to life A WONDERFUL GUY. I just love the way Mary Martin says the word "theatre" - and everything else she says.
Pro trick : you can watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.
@Ibrahim Lionel Definitely, been watching on Flixzone for since december myself =)
A very rare television appearance by the great Richard Rodgers.
I love this song. For me there Ms. Martin's is the finest. And yet, this casual version with a simple piano accompaniment is suddenly my favorite version. Thanks so much for this post!
This is one of the GREATEST things I've ever seen. Thank you so much for posting
me too
most wonderful to see where do you find all these terrific things Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical partnership is my avocation thank you thank you for letting us see this a true gem
This is a glance at the Richard Rodgers we ever got to see. Watch him playing his music, he was entranced. Mary Martin could really sell a tune!
Mary Martin had presence and charm like no other star at that time. The voice was not great, but it was good. Hear her sing Speak Low from One Touch of Venus, her Broadway-starring show, sometime. Nobody ever did it better. Interviewed her once, back when, at the KenCen, and as star interviews go, she was one of the best. Candid, shrewd and funny, and an utter delight.
Mary Marti was a true Broadway belter of the most wonderous kind
She had such a warm quality to her voice and I think it matched her personality...
The voice was not great? Are you kidding? Comparing her to Ponselle or Sutherland? Okay. But comparing her to other females who sang in the same realm, no. Her voice was lovely, rich, and WAY above average. Add to her beautiful vocal quality, her range, her technique, her impeccable diction, her interpretative ability, the ease with which she could sing virtually any genre and make it memorable, she was truly unique and her vocal abilities were matched by few. Watch her sing, "Un bel di," ("One Fine Day" with Noel Coward reacting) and though it is done in a comedy vein, one can easily tell, yes, she could have sung it straight and well. Then, couple all that with her incomparable personality, her sheer love of both what she was doing and of the audiences which flocked to see her, her graciousness and humility, ALL made her a true legend, and oh so sorely missed. And the proof of all this is right here on TH-cam. From the well known Broadway songs (including the very different and difficult "Lonely Goatherd," and "Oh My Mysterious Lady") to recordings of "Some Day My Prince Will Come," "Daughter of Silence," "Boy Wanted," "I'm Making Believe on Christmas Eve," to "Let's Fall in Love," and her knockout rendition of "America the Beautiful," etc., etc., etc. Mary Martin had the total God given package.
Her voice was not great? Are you deaf?
This is a treasure! Pure gold! The greatest composer of the 20th century alongside the greatest star of Broadway that ever lived! Thank you for posting this!
Couldn't agree more!
🎹 A great clip. Thanks.
I didn't know that this existed! What a treasure! Mary Marty starts her phrase about 5 notes too high almost three minutes in which proves that anybody, even a great professional like her, can make a mistake...
I noticed that too! You can catch a fleeting expression on Richard Rodgers' face, also.
I’ll trust Mary Martin before Richard Rogers any day so I’d say it’s his error. His mention of Josh Logan is pretty brazen considering how R & H cheated him out of percentages for his co-authorship of the SOUTH PACIFIC book and reduced his directorial billing. No wonder that the theatrical quality of work in the last half of their partnership was poor when directors or book writers of repute wouldn’t work with them.
Love this stuff!
Oh for a DVD recording of this ? Oh well, maybe someday....sigh!
Very good! Do you happen to know where one may be able to find the remainder of this programme?
If this 1951, was there any mention or participation from Gertrude Lawrence in THE KING AND I? Where did this excerpt come from and where is the entire program? Do you where to get a copy of the 1954 tribute to Rogers and Hammerstein that Mary Martin also hosted?
Mary Martin sure was a big star back then. Not the greatest singer, but people loved her. Richard Rodgers was and always will be a musical legend, no doubt the greatest Broadway composer of all time.
Mary Martin was one of the greatest singers ever of the Broadway stage. This excerpt doesn't show her true vocal range. It is a song that requires more personality than voice It is that type of song. . She trained as an opera singer and was able to keep her voice in great shape throughout her career. People loved her for many reasons her voice which one critic called "as warm and ripe as fine wine" and for her radiant personality.
@@ashtonjoliet Thank you, Mr. Joliet. I couldn't have said it better except to add what a lovely lady she was, too. She was/is a legend for a reason.
Dennett Boyd: Yes you are greatly mistaken. She was a very talented performer as an actress and singer. Both MY FAIR LADY and MAME were offered to her and her was initially attached to MY MAN which a few years later would become FUNNY GIRL (Sondheim admired her greatly but couldn’t see her as Fanny Brice and bowed out. Anne Bancroft was signed, heard the score (admittedly written for Streisand after hearing her sign) and left. BUT Mary Martin was great, just great. She had more of a mezzo voice with an upper register and her cast albums and recordings are very enjoyable. No one listening to the cast album of THE SOUND OF MUSIC would think, or to see her, that she was 45. The same thing with Ethel Merman on the RCA Lincoln Center revival recording of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Superb for a woman of 58, even better than her GYPSY cast album.
Now Dennett, who do you think we’re greater singers on Broadway at that time?
Mary should have mentioned Oscar the Great!
"I'm as HORNY....."