"Happy to Make Your Acquaintance" & "Big D" - Original Cast 1956 - Ed Sullivan
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
- This rare footage sent to me by a client to digitize introduces Met opera star Robert Weede (Tony Esposito), Jo Sullivan (Rosabella), Shorty Long (Herman) & Susan Johnson (Cleo) the major stars of the original production of Frank Loesser's new Broadway musical - The Most Happy Fella - to Ed Sullivan's huge TV audience & those in the NYC studio. Only Art Lund (Joey) does not appear - unfortunately.
Performed here are just 2 of the more than 50 songs in this ~3 hour Broadway (nearly operatic) masterpiece that followed Guys and Dolls to the Broadway stage. Weede & Sullivan sing "Happy to Make your Acquaintance" and Long & Johnson perform "Big D" (little A, Double L, A-S) - a HUGE hit even today. Long's tenor voice still echos in my ears from his show stopping "Standin On The Corner, Watchin All The Girls Go By."
A personal note: I saw this original show in Philadelphia as it made its way to Broadway. I was 11 and never forgot it as I mentioned above with Long's unforgettable performance and voice. The entire cast recording is still available from Sony on CD (or MP3). The show was largely or nearly entirely sung, so thankfully this first for Broadway gives today's audiences Loesser's favorite show unabridged.
Jo Sullivan (nee Loesser) was to later marry the composer. I have not set eyes on Shorty Long - whose voice is the perfect Herman -since 1956. What a delight. His "Standin on the Corner," "I Made A Fist" and "Big D" are unbeatable.
Because of that Philadelphia memory and serendipity, I had occasion to capture on VHS the PBS revival cast in 1980 starring Georgio Tozzi & Sharon Daniels. Twenty years later I digitized it into a 2-DVD set and since then have sold it online to affectionados of the show all over the world.
I befriended Tozzi in Bloomington, IN where he was a retired professor of voice at the famous Jacobs School of Music at IU. I gave him the DVDs and solicited some MET & MHF stories and memories.
He told me why he did not want the Broadway show released to the public. He admitted he had to over-dub his singing role due to the Detroit theater's mold and dust which affected his voice.
But, twenty-nine years later he was delighted to be able to see it again and encouraged me to keep the MHF flame alive of this Broadway masterpiece.
I have seen every major revival - including the 2009 revival dedicated to Tozzi on the IU campus just 2 years prior to his death - and can say that only this production compares to the original in 1956 : Weede / Tozzi (both established Met stars); Sullivan / Daniels; Johnson / Flaningam; Long / Warning; Lund / Muenz.
The dancing, singing, acting, staging, pit orchestra, costumes all compare very favorably.
The 2-DVD set is available only by emailing jimberg513@gmail.com
Discussions of 2-DVD set : see IMDB.
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
I used to sing this with my mom. Great to see
Susan Johnson had real star power!
Sullivan was a great fan of opera and musical theater. He was also a good friend of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball, who had wisely invested much in the show. Sullivan's attention (presenting scenes from Broadway shows) made My Fair Lady and Camelot hits. In those cases, like this one, they are the only surviving visual records of the original productions. Sullivan owned his TV show and made sure the kinescopes and tapes were not destroyed.
Broadway magic back when there was such a thing.
I love Lucy brought me here!! great music!
OMG!! My mom was a cellist with the orchestra for the original Broadway show. I grew up listening to the cast album so when I recently rediscovered it I felt like a kid back in Brooklyn again. It always brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for posting this amazing Ed Sullivan clip!
R.I.P. Jo Sullivan Loesser, it was an honor to have known you. Lots of love to you and your family.
🎹 Fabulous. I wish there was a Sullivan video for...Let It Ride...
and I Had A Ball. 😁
I HAD A BALL video: ruclips.net/video/vwEIajPFJVU/видео.html
There is a Sullivan video for I Had A Ball--Karen Morrow and company singing the title song, which turns into a big dance number. It used to be on RUclips, though I don't know whether it still is.
what a blessing these Ed Sullivan excerpts were and what a great record of their first exposure!
Here courtesy of I Love Lucy.
Robert Wede went on to do Milk and Honey. He was known to be a wonderful kind hearted soul and a magnificent tenor with the Met.
George, Robert Weede was a baritone, not a tenor.
@@markblass4490 His dialog here sounds like a tenor; he obviously made a choice to speak in a higher pitched sound than his natural singing voice (or the director preferred it). I've done the role, many years ago when I was way too young (33) and have wanted the opportunity to do it again; it's a wonderful, warm character and probably the worst thing Tony did in his life was in that moment of fear sending the "wrong" picture to "Rosabella" (we find out what her real name is in the last scene...) A heartwarming story!
Robert Weede was a baritone not a tenor
Thanks for the info!
RIP Jo Loesser! I saw you in 1956 in Philly and never forgot you or your fellow cast members. Sharon Daniels & Georgio Tozzi gave the world of Bwy lovers the best revival in 1980. Contact me for 2 DVD set of the full production as proof. I keep your memorable role alive bc no one else will or does.
I've seen a number of productions, including one at NYU about 4 years ago. Jo Loesser was in the audience and when it was over and the orchestra was still in the pit she went down to house left side of pit and cheered enthusiastically to them and applauded. It looked like the student musicians were polite but unimpressed, maybe they had not met her during rehearsals, as they sometimes do meet when NYU revives a musical and people involved/creators come to see it or do a talkback.
I called Shorty Long at home a week after he had died: I was hoping to have my TMHF score signed by as many cast members as I could… great score!! What a musical!!❤❤❤❤❤
Loved his pure lyrical tenor voice!
I was lucky enough to play Cleo in a version of this show 31 years ago. Such a wonderful underperformed piece of musical theatre.
Kathy Knight lucky you. Where was your production? My 2-DVD set would bring you fond memories of this wonderful show by a cast that rivals the original one which I saw as an 11 yr old.
Etobicoke (now part of Toronto). We actually just had a reunion of people who were involved in the show. Unusual for community theatre to reunite a cast for a specific show, but it was apparently very special to all of us. Our Tony is now 89 and couldn't make it, but our Rosabella had spoken to him on the phone about the party and he was please and surprised about our get together. Videos from 31 years ago were rather crude. But it was enough to bring back so many memories.
RIP JO SULLIVAN LOESSER AUGUST 28,1927= APRIL 28,2019.
Susan Johnson's the real love of my life on the Sony Brigadoon is first rate, of course. But I really think Stephanie Block surpasses her on the recent Wilson-OHara Brigadoon which is the best Brigadoon Ive ever heard.
Anybody remember the "I Love Lucy" episode when the Ricardos and the Mertzes went and saw this show?
One of my favorite episodes!
It was hamhanded product placement. The Arnazes were among the producers of this show, so they were running a big national ad for their own benefit.
Yes, and your point is? They had to share the seats because Lucy forgot the tickets or had the wrong day.
@theresamarie6258 YES! That is why I came looking for scenes from the show.
Thanks for posting this.
R.I.P
Ах, спасибо!! Теперь я знаю как правильно танцевать чарльстон))
Just fantastic!!! I grew up with this musical via my parents. To see the original cast in this rare kinescope recording is a real treasure. Thanks for posting it!
I sell the Tony award cast of the 1979-1980 revival starring Geogio Tozzi. It's a 2 DVD set and is absolutely fabulous. It's a 3 hr show. Check out my writing on ImDB and comments of others.
@@jimberg3088 Jim, I have one complaint about the 1979 revival and virtually EVERY one since. I believe they DESTROY this show by cutting an intermission and putting the remaining one where it doesn't belong for economic reasons. The show runs just under 3 hours with one intermission and 3.5 with two, and the orchestra and virtually every other union needs more $$$ when that magic 3 hour number is hit. But the first break should be after Rosabella goes into the house with Joey, and the second after Tony sings Mamma, mamma...and before he (but not the audience) knows the devastating truth - not going to put the spoiler here. Watch the show!!!!! But that break there and the first where it's supposed to go make the show, and doing it the way the almighty dollar dictates ruins it IMO.
Thank you Jim. It is great to finally see this. I have the complete show on vinyl with Weede & Sullivan. I also purchased your two DVD set. As you have, I have followed this show for many years. I even saw a two piano only version in California. I think that any airing of this show, no matter which cast, is a great thing. Everyone should have the opportunity to see and hear this wonderful musical.
There is NO ONE on B'way -with the exception of Bette Midler - who has the personality of Susan Johnson -and then
those vocal pipes!
LieslJones59 I could not agree more...one exception...Patti Lupone ...equally another powerful mezzo.
Her voice in Evita, Cole Porter's Anything Goes, Gipsy and now War Paint...are the equal of Bette's.
I just wanna say that Susan Johnson has no equal. No disrespect to LaLa Lupone & the Divine One but really those pipes, the peerless straight tone, the pre microphone back of the balcony projection. She rules!
@@chocolatesouljah I'm sure you're also probably aware that Ms. Johnson was one of the nuns in both "Sister Act" movies.
To have this--joy!
This is wonderful. Thank you so much for this!
Thanks a million! Sound right on the money. Glad to see it staged because I never have!
this is so great! thank you!
I sell the Tony award cast of the 1979-1980 revival starring Geogio Tozzi. It's a 2 DVD set and is absolutely fabulous. It's a 3 hr show. Check out my writing on ImDB and comments of others.
Tozzi, a very fine singer, was way overmatched by the part. He was a bass, and just couldn't manage the high G's. He sang painfully flat. Jo Sullivan, (Rosabella here), was Loesser's widow and wouldn't let Tozzi transpose the part down.
You shouldn't be selling here anyway.
Tozzi is the voice for Rossano Brazzi's singing in the movie of South Pacific. Hear him there at his very best.
jojojo943 thanks for the lecture. Tozzi had to relay the singing track in NY bc the theatre in Detroit was laden with mold and dust from disuse. I discussed his performance in Bloomington (at IU) a few years before his death.
Priceless!
née means 'born' so Jo Sullivan isn't née Loesser, it was her married name
Jim Berg! This is WONDERFUL! I have never seen this show performed. I read Frank's book A MOST REMARKABLE FELLA. He was a amazing man. He wrote Lawrence Welk's theme BUBBLES IN THE WINE. i also very much like HOW TO SUCCEED. They made a movie out of that, but not out of HAPPY FELLA. Thanks so much for sharing.
I sell the Tony award cast of the 1979-1980 revival starring Geogio Tozzi. It's a 2 DVD set and is absolutely fabulous. It's a 3 hr show. Check out my writing on ImDB and comments of others.
Hi Roger, From what I was always told, the movie was actually proposed to Frank, but he was too upset about the results of Guys & Dolls being made into a movie, so he declined it. :)
Jim Berg. Unfortunately, Tozzi was not able to sing the songs in their original keys (needed them lowered). That RUINS the music for the other singers that ALSO have to lower their range (so that Tozzi could sing). Second...Although he's a great singer, Tozzi's portrayal of Tony was simply not "lovable" enough (for me) to accurately portray Tony (although, I'm a bit biased). His performance (acting) was not a correct portrayal of the part, or he just couldn't really get it. The show itself stands on it's own merits of course, but the 1979-1980 "revival" was not too comparable to "the real thing", and it's even "misleading" as an example. Most attempts were (unfortunately) to "revive" the "success" of the original show, rather than accurately demonstrate the brilliance of the original cast who made it the gem that it was. That being said, finding an "actor" who can also sing the original range that Frank wrote is almost impossible. Actually, finding a 'singer" who can sing Tony's songs properly has (so far) not been found (to date)...much less, someone who's also a great enough actor to have the audience fall in love with him, at the same time. Please don't SELL "second-rate" versions of this masterpiece! You're doing a disservice to the "real" show by presenting this as such, not-to-mention, it's also a disservice to those who will mistakenly judge this "second-rate" attempt as representative of of the true show and it's music. It's not even close. Sorry.
To Bill Weede...not sure if you're related to MetOpera star Robert Weede who Loesser chose to create the part and whose performance it digitized and made available on RUclips.
In short I saw his performance in 1956...did you? I doubt it.
I've also seen perhaps a dozen off and on Bwy productions over the past >50 yrs...did you? I doubt it.
I've also seen the 1980 DVDs I sell many, many times and love it dearly. Have you? I doubt it.
I've sold a few hundred copies of the the DVD set all over the world to MHF devotees...each and everyone loved it. From London to Australia.
I bet you've never seen my 2 DVD set of the 1979-80 production.
So, in short and to be kind...I don't think you have a clue or have any standing to judge. YAFOS.
Finally, I visited with Tozzi in Bloomington to discuss the show. He was teaching voice at IU's Jacobs School of Music which put on a production of MHF to honor him ~10 yrs ago. He told me of the Detroit theatre's filthiness that necessitated his voice overs in NYC. And that is why the PBS production never was a commercial product.
Jim, Robert Weede is my grandfather. My mother is Peggy O'hara (Weede) who was Jo Sullivan's understudy for the original Broadway show. She starred as Rosabella when "Happy Fella" toured the United States.
Art Lund would buy me hot fudge Sundays (every week) at Ghirardelli Square (in San Francisco) when I played Gussy (Marie's little boy) in 1968 (when the "Original" Broadway cast revived it at Woodminster Theater, in Oakland). So...no... I was not privileged enough (nor born yet) to see the original cast in 1956 at the Imperial Theater, but I had the opportunity to watch the "original" cast perform it MANY dozens of times (from the wings).
Susan Johnson, and her family frequented our house while I was growing up. The original cast, and Frank Loesser were extended family. As were many Broadway and opera stars of the time.
Your use of this clip of my grandfather, and the cast is great! Thank you for posting it. I have the original clip from the Sullivan show that the Elvis Presley estate kindly gave me. (FYI: It was Elvis's 2nd appearance on that show). However, using the "original" cast in order to try to sell the "second-rate" version is complete misrepresentation, and a disservice to those who will unwittingly use it as their benchmark for "The Most Happy Fella" when it's NOT AT ALL. This is akin to posting a clip of the Mona Lisa, and then trying to sell someone's "attempt" at copying it to pass it off as the real thing.
If Tozzi's "version" is what you're selling, no problem. But, you need to post the clips of Tozzi to sell Tozzi, instead of clips of my grandfather in order to sell a "second-rate" performance. Believe me, I'm being "kind". Thanks again (and, I DO mean that) for posting the clip, but please don't use Robert Weede to sell Tozzi. Apples and oranges, my friend. I'm sure that (with your experiences mentioned), you already know that.
Good luck in your endeavor.
Few people know that Loesser first wanted Titto Gobbi as Tony and also Laurence Tibbett .Both rejected the role and went to Robert Weede also a Metropolitan Ópera barítone. For the role of Rosabella-Amy they made auditions. Three sopranos were chosen Marni Nixon Barbara, Cook and Jo Sullivan who was finally cast by Loesser first wife.It was in 1956.Both Weede and Sullivan were nominated for a Tony award but lost too Rex Harrison for My Fair lady and Edie Adams for Lil Abner. Fou years later Jo Sullivan married the composer Frank Loesser and the rest is well known. Marni Nixon went to Hollywood to dub Deborah Kerr in The king and I and Barbara Cook played the role of Cunegunde in Candide.Titto Gobbi stayed at the Metropolitan.opera and Laurence Tibbett retired and died few years later.Jo Sullivan died last April 28 2019 at 91.
Gobbi would have been incredible, but I’m glad he turned it down. It gave Weede a space to excel later in life without being compared to the countless tremendous Verdi baritones of his time.
How I would love to have heard Barbara Cook!
@@johnkroll2151
Barbara Cook.later sang Samebody Somewhere in.a Loesser tribute beautifully. She made Candide instead.
not that big D. ed sullivan show was amazing with great talent of a variety of people who ecame super stars and more amazing talented people who became regular people but stil awesome people.
You heard the rarely heard tenor voice of Shorty Long whose voice impacted me at 11 yrs old in Philly. Show later moved on to Broadway.
Diana...thanks for those little known facts! Jo Sullivan was Loesser’s second wife as I’m sure you were aware.
Of course I know that Jo Sullivan was Loesser second wife.When they decided to produce the musical they wanted Tittp Gobbi as Tony but he rejected the role as also did Laurence Tibbett and Robert Weede was cast.They made tests for Rosabella. Barbara Cook Marni Nixon and Florence Henderson also made tests but Jo Sullivan was cast and in 1960 became Loesser second wife.She was born in 1927 and died in 2019 at 91.
L
all rights to The Ed Sullivan Show go to Andrew Solt and SOFA Entertainment
No one is charging anyone any money, so what’s your point...let the B-roll go on shelf and be completely forgotten ?
@@jimberg3088 not exactly - just respecting the copyright
I sell the Tony award cast of the 1979-1980 revival starring Giorgio Tozzi. It's a 2 DVD set and is absolutely fabulous. It's a 3 hr show. Check out my writing on ImDB and comments of others.
Don't spam us with you sales-pitches here.
jojojo943 PS I saw the original cast in 1956 and Tozzi holds his own vs Weede. People who love the show and will never have the opportunity to see a full production such as the 1979-80 Tozzi version love to order it. It's available no where else. So, your advice...LET 'EM EAT CAKE! Brilliant.
jojojo943 jojo...I found, transferred and posted this. You saw it bc of me. So I'm thinking of a verb and a pronoun. They are most appropriate for those unthankful for free entertainment.
Well, we can amicably disagree. Giorgio was a very fine singer whom I heard many times, but a Bass. This part is a fairly high baritone part, and so not ideal for him. It was completely ideal for Weede, for whom it was written by Loesser, and who, in my opinion, sang it far better than Tozzi. Tozzi, of course, sang South Pacific-- a bass part, far better than Weede could have done.
my, my...name-calling...the last refuge of these with little to say, but only empty bluster
because the picture quality was so bad!
This is a perfect example of how shameful we are with the material we have of great Broadway shows. The ones that are available are few and far between. "West Side Story", "My Fair Lady", "How to Succeed...", "Sound of Music", none of them exist full-length on video. Inexcusable!
Standing on the Corner is, obviously, NOWHERE to be seen in this clip,
I sell the Tony award cast of the 1979-1980 revival starring Geogio Tozzi. It's a 2 DVD set and is absolutely fabulous. It's a 3 hr show. Check out my writing on ImDB and comments of others.
It's "Giorgio." And the clip I saw looks lip-synced. Pass.
tommytimp if you're wanting to know why it's not lip sync...
He recorded it live in Detroit in a theatre that was full of dust and mold. He told me in his Bloomington, IN home that he couldn't tolerate the conditions and when the show ended up in NYC for its Broadway run, he over dubbed each song he sang.
My daughter was an oboe performance major at IU and during her senior year the musical scheduled was Most Happy Fella dedicated to him. He died 2-3 yrs later in his home. He was a consummate star performer and his rendition of Tony Esposito was nominated for a real Tony...unsuccessfully.
Of the many clients of the 2-DVD set over 15 years, not one person has be dissatisfied.
I've always thought this was Loesser's masterpiece, though I know some people now find the storyline, well, sexist (yes, it is, but that's not the point; How to Succeed is even more sexist if you want to go there). I grew up with this album in my parents' collection (somehow that LP got appropriated by me-oops). I saw the two-piano version on B'way, and then the Encores version a few years ago (which was incredible). What struck me about this clip though is how terribly bad the choreography for Big D was. Okay, it was a production of its time and looks dated as well, but it really bothered me. I've seen the number done better. Just my opinion, of course.
You have to keep in mind that the stage on the Sullivan show was not close to the size of the one at the Imperial Theater. I'm sure they did the best they could.
a shame all they had was kinescope!
why?