Thirty-plus years after her death, Ethel Merman remains the Greatest Star of Broadway Musicals -with an unrivaled collection of "standards" she introduced.
We would never have had Broadway without Ethel, lets face it. Why hasn't a threatre been named for her?? She is just the greatest entertainer ever in my book
She was a perfectionist, for sure. That was her way, brash, and yes, difficult. Most of the greats were difficult at times, taking their craft very serious. And, we wouldn't have had all the great musicals had we not had her. Where is broadway today?
I saw Ethel on Bdway many years ago when she stepped on stage the crowd roared...she sure was a grabber The only other star I saw on Bdway that got such a welcome was Rex Harrison Matt NY
Merman wasnt the best singer ever Maybe she was the greatest Broadway belter who influenced singer like Patti Lupone Bernadette Peters and Sutton Foster to name a few. But not the best singer ever .Where do you put singers like Mary Martin Patrícia Morison Barbara Cook and Julie Andrews to name a few?
Why can’t we go back to entertainment like this? Of course we don’t have Ethel anymore, but wouldn’t it be nice?! And, NY, get off your duff and name a theater after her already!!!!! Show some respect!!
The great Ethel Merman, indeed. The greatest star the Broadway musical theatre ever produced is more like it. Here at an age when most performers have hung it up, she's filling the hall with her inimitable, thrilling sound. Patti Lupone eat your heart out.
Agreed, Macho! I will say Patti is talented, but why does she have to repeat all of Ethel's greatest successes? Is it to carry on Ethel's legacy, or to overshadow her career? Patti needs to find her own identity as a broadway performer, and all of Ethel's greatest shows (14) should remain under Ethel's memoirs. I can see someone singing some of her greatest hits to keep the public aware that Ethel made those famous, and most were written only for Ethel, but they need their OWN material. You just can't compete with a legend like the Merm.
95KIPPIE Ms. Lupone is very talented, and a much more affecting actress. But she can still eat her heart out. I've heard her throaty versions of some of the Merman repertoire and it just don't compare. There is only one mighty Merm.
Merman was great, and even in this clip can still belt it out strong and in tune, but having said that, her vibrato by this time was all over the place, really wobbly, and as a result, it's quite painful. Sure, Lupone has the same problem in the last 5-10 years, but let's face it…many stars just can't retire. Their esteem is based on applause...
DDumbrille This is true. Although Ethel, in her later years, was all over the place vocally. I think it was her strong stage presence that packed them in, even in her later years.
Rock and Ethel arguing over which is the bottom, which the top?! If this isn't the definition of camp, it ought to be. PS- In the first number, what is that thing sticking out of her head.
Ethel could be a foul-mouthed tigress with directors and producers, even child actors. Once, when she heard a child actor swear, she asked, "Where the f--k did that kid learn to talk like that??
This is by far the campest thing I have EVER seen and i've seen a lot of camp dears. PS I adore Merman, but why is she fighting with the music in the first number.
Her voice carried, which was important before performers were amplified. One producer told a songwriter, "The lyrics better be good because Merman's singing them and everybody, right to the back of the second balcony, is going to hear them."
Ethel Merman came from a time when there was no amplification. Her voice, as with all other performers had to carry and fill the entire theatre. Though she did not come out of Vaudeville, the vaudeville Acts set the tone for big and brassy. Ethel Merman represented the regular girl, not the rich girl or the sexy girl. Today, extending theatre, one is blasted at by the microphone system. Nothing is soft, nuanced because it is at the highest volume. There are vids of Ethel Merman being interviewed as to her beginnings. You will be amazed, and give her a second chance. Other than the deceased Rebecca Luker, I don’t know of anyone who has a finely trained voice…..oh yes,Shirley Jones. Roadway today is a mere shadow of what it once was. Ethel Merman represents America’s finest hour.
![What's My Line? - Ethel Merman; Tony Randall [panel] (Jun 27, 1965)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dzSuIpZs7jo/mqdefault.jpg)
45 years after singing it for the first time. She still sounded great at 71.
Thirty-plus years after her death, Ethel Merman remains the Greatest Star of Broadway Musicals -with an
unrivaled collection of "standards" she introduced.
You can hear the echo in the auditorium when Ethel hits the high notes.
The "Merm" nails it every time. RIP great one.
Sylvia is a FINE celebrity to present this great event!. It really ROCKS! 😉. Oh KAYE?
We're very lucky to have had a lady called Ethel Merman, a God blessed talent that only comes along not very often
Magnificent!
Big voice timeless music loved her singing on the show ❤❤❤❤
We would never have had Broadway without Ethel, lets face it. Why hasn't a threatre been named for her?? She is just the greatest entertainer ever in my book
She was a perfectionist, for sure. That was her way, brash, and yes, difficult. Most of the greats were difficult at times, taking their craft very serious. And, we wouldn't have had all the great musicals had we not had her. Where is broadway today?
95KIPPIE And it always gets said about a woman. Guarantee the same would not have been said about a man.
95KIPPIE exactly right. Ethel Merman made Broadway great for three decades again and again.
It is criminal that there is not a theater named after her. Downright absurd.
The great Merman..yes, a theatre should be named after her...Happy Birthday Ethel Merman!
Theres NEVER EVER BEEN any Singer like Ethel Merman, EVER….. She was GREATTTTTT.
Ethel Merman never lost her dynomite voice from beginning to her end.❤
Sylvia aged very well, she looks better as an older woman than she did when she was young
She's a Old Man.
Merman's vibrato had a greater range than I do.
Makes me seasick.
She’s just wonderful, the greatest ever!
Today January 16....Ethel Merman’s birthday! The greatest Broadway entertainer of all time!
She was the Dame, an incredible american Voice ever. Thanks a lot! MERCI BEAUCOUP! Emmanuel from Paris France
A truly magical voice, great Personality, what a woman Ethel you're the best.
Actually, Rock Hudson sings very well here -- far better than I would have thought.
"actually"
THIS IS SO VERY GREAT - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING IT !
She is a fabulous singer
I saw Ethel on Bdway many years ago
when she stepped on stage
the crowd roared...she sure was a grabber
The only other star I saw on Bdway
that got such a welcome was
Rex Harrison
Matt NY
BRAVO! If I could have her seen hee singing alive! Merci beaucoup from Paris France. Emmanuel
A powerful voice.. You needed one to reach those up in 'the gods'.. 😮
The greatest female singer ever! BRAVO for this incredible rendition. Fabulous she was! Emmanuel from Paris France
Merman wasnt the best singer ever Maybe she was the greatest Broadway belter who influenced singer like Patti Lupone Bernadette Peters and Sutton Foster to name a few. But not the best singer ever .Where do you put singers like Mary Martin Patrícia Morison Barbara Cook and Julie Andrews to name a few?
Impressive!
It would be hard to beat that tap number at the end of this!
There were first signs of alarming problem brewing but the show must go on was her motto
What do you mean?
Why can’t we go back to entertainment like this? Of course we don’t have Ethel anymore, but wouldn’t it be nice?! And, NY, get off your duff and name a theater after her already!!!!! Show some respect!!
Love it!!!!! even if R. H. wasn't always on key, it's still absolutely fantastic!
Rock had a starring role in the touring company of ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. Not bad as a singer.
SPECTACULAR INTRODUCING SPECTACULAR
you know you are ancient when you are telling a william gaxton story. Her first song is iffy, but once she warms up she sounds incredible.
Sylvia Fine Kaye is hilarious 😂😂
Maybe She learned how to make jokes From Her Husband Danny Kaye
Where can we find all of these. They were phenomenal!!!!
RIP Lieutenant Hurwitz. War is hell.
AMAZING
I believe Sylvia won a Peabody for this show series
She wrote my favorite lullaby, "Lullaby in Ragtime."
@@hijodelaisla275 im glad ti see someone else listening in 2022
What Great Entertainment, THE REAL THING>>>>>>>and so CAMPY>>>>>>Just Fabulous.....
Sylvia Fine was a Fright.
god is good....
In Today's crazy 🤪 world, ETHEL and Cole Porter seem very prophetic! Sadly entertainment like this as well as SANITY are Gone With the Wind!
The great Ethel Merman, indeed. The greatest star the Broadway musical theatre ever produced is more like it. Here at an age when most performers have hung it up, she's filling the hall with her inimitable, thrilling sound. Patti Lupone eat your heart out.
Agreed, Macho! I will say Patti is talented, but why does she have to repeat all of Ethel's greatest successes? Is it to carry on Ethel's legacy, or to overshadow her career? Patti needs to find her own identity as a broadway performer, and all of Ethel's greatest shows (14) should remain under Ethel's memoirs. I can see someone singing some of her greatest hits to keep the public aware that Ethel made those famous, and most were written only for Ethel, but they need their OWN material. You just can't compete with a legend like the Merm.
95KIPPIE Ms. Lupone is very talented, and a much more affecting actress. But she can still eat her heart out. I've heard her throaty versions of some of the Merman repertoire and it just don't compare. There is only one mighty Merm.
Merman was great, and even in this clip can still belt it out strong and in tune, but having said that, her vibrato by this time was all over the place, really wobbly, and as a result, it's quite painful. Sure, Lupone has the same problem in the last 5-10 years, but let's face it…many stars just can't retire. Their esteem is based on applause...
DDumbrille This is true. Although Ethel, in her later years, was all over the place vocally. I think it was her strong stage presence that packed them in, even in her later years.
DDumbrille I don't mind the wide vibrato. She's never out of tune
Subtle as the San Francisco earthquake. But as memorable for different reasons.
Sylvia should have played Medea in Detroit.
Rock and Ethel arguing over which is the bottom, which the top?! If this isn't the definition of camp, it ought to be. PS- In the first number, what is that thing sticking out of her head.
He was indeed the bottom. I think that was a feather.
Ethel could be a foul-mouthed tigress with directors and producers, even child actors. Once, when she heard a child actor swear, she asked, "Where the f--k did that kid learn to talk like that??
Poor Rock Hudson. He can't sing a single note. Ethel is a treasure!
Lowered the key
God bless her, but she never could relate to any other person onstage. Big trumpe voice, No more, no less.
Sylvia have a little too much to drink that night????
Hmmm... I wonder if Rock was a bottom or top...??
he was bottom apparently
Ah!
I dunno....every song sounds the same. Just loud and full of the Cowardly Lions vibratto. I know I know....kill me. But she WAS a true Entertainer.
This is by far the campest thing I have EVER seen and i've seen a lot of camp dears. PS I adore Merman, but why is she fighting with the music in the first number.
I assume you haven't seen this: ruclips.net/video/8f1Dcin-X2w/видео.html You're welcome.
A robot with pipes. No feeling, just punch the lyric to high heaven. The vastly over-rated Ethel Merman--with the greatest songs ever written.
Cole Porter definitely disagreed with you. He loved her.
The great merm ! She was a man eater .
The Fine dame is a Stinker.
Why, what’s the scoop?
Ethel didn't have a great voice, but she was on pitch and she could belt, which you both need to sing musical theater.
Her voice carried, which was important before performers were amplified. One producer told a songwriter, "The lyrics better be good because Merman's singing them and everybody, right to the back of the second balcony, is going to hear them."
Sound quality is AWFUL.....
She was great for Broadway to sing big. But a bit loud, nasal and brassy for me. Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald much better singers.
I don’t get Merman. She stares in one direction to the audience, her singing voice is completely atrocious , thru the noise and completely off key.
Len Welch Right you are- she was better in Airplane!!
@@bobbywimsy6741 Call Me Madam. RUclips has quite a bit of film clips. If you watch Ethel sing in the show you'll change your mind, and get her !
Ethel Merman came from a time when there was no amplification. Her voice, as with all other performers had to carry and fill the entire theatre. Though she did not come out of Vaudeville, the vaudeville Acts set the tone for big and brassy. Ethel Merman represented the regular girl, not the rich girl or the sexy girl. Today, extending theatre, one is blasted at by the microphone system. Nothing is soft, nuanced because it is at the highest volume.
There are vids of Ethel Merman being interviewed as to her beginnings. You will be amazed, and give her a second chance. Other than the deceased Rebecca Luker, I don’t know of anyone who has a finely trained voice…..oh yes,Shirley Jones. Roadway today is a mere shadow of what it once was. Ethel Merman represents America’s finest hour.
Jesus Christ is coming soon be ready John 3.16 Jesus Christ Die for you.
Hold your breath!
Blow, Gabriel, blow.
Hallelujah