REVIEW:
MARY MARTIN
& ETHEL MERMAN
Review - Mary Martin and Ethel Merman: The Ford 50th Anniversary
Due to copyright restrictions and the myriad of permissions required, the The Ford 50th Anniversary Show has yet to be released in full. Thanks to Video Artist’s International (VAI) we have access to the vast of majority of Mary Martin and Ethel Merman’s segments from the special.
And what a treat this 30 minute DVD is! With such a short run time, I knew the viewing was going to be brief, but oh how I longed for more! Two legendary musical comedy legends singing their signature tunes, and clearly having a whale of a time. This DVD is a riot from start to finish.
For the most part, Martin and Merman perform for the in-person audience, and not for the camera. The result is pure theatre magic. The few moments when they mug for the camera actually work to break the spell.
The clips in the DVD never show the live in-person audience, but we sense their delight through their laughter and rapturous applause.
The DVD opens with Ethel Merman performing “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The camera is in a tight mid-shot focused on Merman, though we are able to see the band behind her.
Mary Martin demonstrates her comedic genius in a segment entitled “The History of Women’s Fashion.” With little more than a stretchy zippered suit, elasticized belt, a scarf, and a few hats, Martin hilariously works through the trends of women’s clothing from the early 20th century through to the modern day. It’s a shame it ends in 1953!
A rather bizarre number features Martin and Merman lip-synching to an old vaudeville record “Down in Norfolk Town” sung by The Happiness Boys. Martin and Merman lip-synching?! It’s almost a relief when the record “skips,” and the duo are forced to sing with their own voices.
The stand-out highlight is a 31-song medley. The number starts with Merman standing next to a poster for Call Me Madam singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and transitions to Martin, standing next to a poster for South Pacific singing “Wonderful Guy.” The women move downstage to two stools, and sit facing out to the audience whilst singing well-known tunes such as "By the Light of the Silvery Moon," "The Sheik of Araby," "You Made Me Love You," "I Get a Kick Out of You,” "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I Got Rhythm,” "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," and "Tea for Two.” The staging is simple and elegant. There are no bells and whistles, just two tremendous singers giving their all to the audience. The medley received rave reviews when it first aired, and the clever and moving arrangement remains a delight.
This thirty-minute DVD makes me long for access to the full Ford 50th Anniversary performance. It is a unique capture of some of the greatest talents of its time.
Mary Martin & Ethel Merman: Ford 50th Anniversary is available on DVD through VAI.
And what a treat this 30 minute DVD is! With such a short run time, I knew the viewing was going to be brief, but oh how I longed for more! Two legendary musical comedy legends singing their signature tunes, and clearly having a whale of a time. This DVD is a riot from start to finish.
For the most part, Martin and Merman perform for the in-person audience, and not for the camera. The result is pure theatre magic. The few moments when they mug for the camera actually work to break the spell.
The clips in the DVD never show the live in-person audience, but we sense their delight through their laughter and rapturous applause.
The DVD opens with Ethel Merman performing “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The camera is in a tight mid-shot focused on Merman, though we are able to see the band behind her.
Mary Martin demonstrates her comedic genius in a segment entitled “The History of Women’s Fashion.” With little more than a stretchy zippered suit, elasticized belt, a scarf, and a few hats, Martin hilariously works through the trends of women’s clothing from the early 20th century through to the modern day. It’s a shame it ends in 1953!
A rather bizarre number features Martin and Merman lip-synching to an old vaudeville record “Down in Norfolk Town” sung by The Happiness Boys. Martin and Merman lip-synching?! It’s almost a relief when the record “skips,” and the duo are forced to sing with their own voices.
The stand-out highlight is a 31-song medley. The number starts with Merman standing next to a poster for Call Me Madam singing “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” and transitions to Martin, standing next to a poster for South Pacific singing “Wonderful Guy.” The women move downstage to two stools, and sit facing out to the audience whilst singing well-known tunes such as "By the Light of the Silvery Moon," "The Sheik of Araby," "You Made Me Love You," "I Get a Kick Out of You,” "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I Got Rhythm,” "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," and "Tea for Two.” The staging is simple and elegant. There are no bells and whistles, just two tremendous singers giving their all to the audience. The medley received rave reviews when it first aired, and the clever and moving arrangement remains a delight.
This thirty-minute DVD makes me long for access to the full Ford 50th Anniversary performance. It is a unique capture of some of the greatest talents of its time.
Mary Martin & Ethel Merman: Ford 50th Anniversary is available on DVD through VAI.
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Theatre: Centre Theater, New York City
Producer: Leland Hayward and Lawrence White
Writers: Frederick Lewis, Agnes Rogers, Sidney Olson, Howard Teichman, Lois Long
Musical Arrangements and Music Director: Bernard Green
Director: Clark Jones
Choreography: Jerome Robbins
Cast:
Mary Martin and Ethel Merman
Theatre: Centre Theater, New York City
Producer: Leland Hayward and Lawrence White
Writers: Frederick Lewis, Agnes Rogers, Sidney Olson, Howard Teichman, Lois Long
Musical Arrangements and Music Director: Bernard Green
Director: Clark Jones
Choreography: Jerome Robbins
Cast:
Mary Martin and Ethel Merman