Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> Appearing on The Perry Como Show in 1957 Ethel Merman complains to her soft-spoken host “Every TV show I’m on makes cracks about my voice. Just once I’d like to go on a show where they considered me to be a lovely deli- cate feminine dame.” “You don’t need to yell” he replies. So the two decide to sing a song quietly “When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin’ Along.” The duet is quite touching and a twinkle dances in Merman’s eye. She seems relaxed with Como pleased to be singing this way-in her voice there is no harshness no punched-out notes. But as they near the end of the number Ethel decides to go back to being Ethel Merman feigning frustra- tion about bottling it all up. Like a kid she pleads “Oh come on let me belt!” Como literally stands back as Ethel lets it rip ending the number with volume and a bang. After the audience laughs and applauds the overhead boom mike is lowered into the TV frame. It is shattered with wires and springs sticking out from all sides. Ethel was correct: nearly every TV appearance she made drew cracks about her voice and that big voice has arguably overshadowed all other facets of her persona and performing skills. Ethel Merman was the unrivaled star of a steady stream of musical comedy hits from Girl Crazy in 1930 through Any- thing Goes Panama Hattie Annie Get Your Gun. (SP)