Ethel Merman--Before the Parade Passes By, Broadway Salute, 1982 TV

[@spectrumlocalb191]

My Mom and I met Ethel Merman at The Robin Hood Dell West in Philadelphia when I was young and she acted after the show like she knew us her whole life when we met her back stage.I mentioned to her that I loved her on The Lucy Show as,Gladys Smedlap and she started telling us for 20 minutes how Lucy was to work with, then thanked us for taking the time to come see her. What a classy lady.

[@lorenengland4079]

Her story of meeting George Gershwin when he wrote I’ve Got Rhythm is amazing. He told her he would make any changes she thought necessary. Wow!

[@jcnyc9087]

What a nice memory! Some of the biggest stars can be the most down to earth and appreciative. Sounds like Merman was among their class!

[@thomasdelvin3683]

well what did she say about lucy

[@zyxw2024]

@@jcnyc9087 Google/KZbin her demeaning/ridiculing to her face - Jennifer Holiday.

[@josephcjoejoelast7882]

Nice story Man. The Dell West....we're showing our age, Dude. I met Ted Knight after a play at Playhouse in the Park called "The Impossible Years". He wasn't at the cast party, but we saw him at supper at the Fairfield Inn inside the Marriot on City Line Avenue. Iconic history upon Iconic history. All of this made possible by virtue of my sister's summer employment at Mrs. Paul's, of fish sticks fame, and my parents who took us everywhere. While the biographies of Ted Knight and Ethyl Merman, both icons in their own right, are altogether different, I mention my experience merely to share and show my appreciation for guys like you who can relate to Philly's history as a stomping ground for just about every celebrity from the 1940's to the turn of the century. It'd be nice to keep in touch somehow. I'll try and leave some contact information on your page. Be well, my friend.

[@rexlex1736]

Merman will always be the Gold Standard for Broadway musical theater performers.

[@jeffneis553]

She was one of a kind there will never be another Merm, she was number one and a totally the best of the best. RIP Miss Merman we miss you.

[@p.o694]

she was about 74 here. Crazy how well her voice held up!!

[@SleepyLestatSF]

TV was awesome when Ethel Merman would show up now and then - it could be from the most surprising of shows!

[@princeharming8963]

Not quite sure how to comment because, really, there are no words you can properly string together to describe the supreme talent that was Merman. It's somewhat sad, in that most of the current generation will never know what a force of nature she was.

[@itstheburnz]

Saw her at the Hollywood Bowl late 70s... she was astonishing to put it mildly.. That stage can and has swallowed up many a big star.. Ethel rocked the bowl.. the presence, showmanship and that voice.. the audience was gobsmacked I think how good she was..

[@machovoce6826]

None better. Lucky you.

[@orion8835]

What a privilege and moment at the theater to have experienced.

[@bradly2007]

Late 70's Bowl was amazing, around 73 Ethel did two nights Dorothy Chandler and went both nights, it was phenomenal

[@stevekirby6034]

I was 18 when I saw her in '78 at the Hollywood Bowl with my folks and aunt and uncle. For a SoCal teenager at that time it was needless to say way out of my comfort zone but what an amazing night! She really changed my perspective on different music genres. Never forget her for that.

[@BillyBoy442]

She had a massive voice, steely, voice that could stamp out an entire orchestra. Truly Amazing & Exciting with vocal chords made of Iron.

[@peterclark498]

why haven't we got this now ?

[@showtunestarpower]

This is incredible! I've loved watching Ethel do BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY from this telecast but I never heard her do SHOWTUNE from the broadcast. This is a great companion piece to when she sang it with Carol Burnett. And Ethel learned a new patter! One of the many great things about Merman is that even though she frequently treated us to her incredible catalog songs, she would learn new material for television specials such as this. Yay Ethel! I wonder if Jerry Herman wrote the new patter.

[@mariemarchesani1595]

Today Dec 27 1970 Merman closed Dolly....great time...I was there..never to be forgotten! She was the best Dolly!

[@robertarthur3889]

The show was originally written for her, they wanted Ethel to be the original Dolly. Glad she finally agreed to be in it.

[@filmmekker]

Was there ever a 74 year old who could belt like that besides her?

[@josephheeley9901]

filmmekker Shirley bassey 81 this year+

[@Vitarai]

Check out Barbara Cook who was singing well into her 80's. In her case, the sound was to me just a mellower version of her younger soprano. The New York Times wrote in 2005 that she was "at the top of her game.... Cook's voice is remarkably unchanged from 1958, when she won the Tony Award for playing Marian the Librarian in The Music Man. A few high notes aside, it is, eerily, as rich and clear as ever."

[@reggieblack5062]

Bernadette Peters is 70, Patti Lupone is 69, Liza, Barbra, and Aretha are in their 70s. Only the big stars.

[@gregglienna1442]

Tom Clark I think she sounds great.

[@joshdrayton1230]

Well, there's belting, and then there's singing. Ethel could be loud, but the voice was never what you'd call lovely. Barbara Cook still had a voice that was beautiful and strong at 86, just a few years before she died. Streisand at 77 still sounds nearly as good as she was in her prime.

[@agoogleuser3490]

You could understand every single word she was singing. That's incredible

[@callmeonkeshiasphone]

and remember she began singing before microphones were common place so she had to sing out, from diaphragm and clearly. AND THEN SMOOTH IT OUT so it sounded entertaining

[@genehenrylindgren]

The one and only.

[@josephrowe849]

RIP Ethel Merman you crazy wild woman!

[@allancuseo7431]

OMG I totally loved her. Saw her in Gypsy over 30 times and Hello Dolly about 20. Only met her once and she was remarkable.

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Lucky Lucky !!

[@douglashoffjr1362]

Queen of Broadway!

[@JasGould-sh3fh]

What a wonderful performance from Miss Ethel Merman here.

[@j.r.stewart8383]

This is fantastic! This clip was on KZbin some years ago and then vaporized...thanks for bringing it back. Dolly is a great show, and my favorite Dolly was Gisele MacKenzie...I saw her in this gem of a show a dozen times or so.

[@wantsomecoffee]

As soon as she opens her mouth and sings the first word, you’re drawn into the character. That , my friends, is what makes a star!

[@trilby5546]

Always classy.🌹👍⭐️

[@thadeu7977]

Ethel Merman, simply wonderful!

[@allancuseo7431]

I loved Ethel and shows always kind to me.. A very classy lady.. I saw here in Gypsy 22 times and a will never forget that experience

[@johnpickford4222]

Allan Cuseo: Hold it cowboy. A minute ago when I was scrolling through the comments you said you saw her (didn’t you hear her?) in GYPSY; now it’s 22. What’s going on? You either saw/heard her or you didn’t. Did you leave 8 performances early, get thrown out, confusing her with Mary Martin? You’re like Madam Rose in GYPSY: You tell a lie so often you believe it yourself!!

[@allancuseo7431]

John Pickford I probably saw her over 22 times...many times on Broadway and then every performance in Rochester NY. Please don’t call me a liar-- that is rude...I also joined the tour as crew so I have no idea about how many times...saw most of the stars do the show..and then I got to play Uncle JOCKO and Mr. Goldstone.

[@johnpickford4222]

Allan Cuseo: I only stated that one of your comments said you saw her in GYPSY 22 times and another comment said 30. Let’s leave it at 26 which is envious by any account. I saw a live recording of HELLO, DOLLY! for sale and thought it would be interesting as there was no recording made with her. I wish there was a live complete GYPSY with her. I’ve read that she was always the kindest to some people (no pun!) but that have been people she viewed as a threat like female costars or that ass Fernando Lamas. I believe she took her well earned star status very serious and delivered when performing. I wish you the best.

[@allancuseo7431]

John Pickford thanks...she was wonderful to work with- if you were prepared to work...I remember the chorus girl backstage standing next to her and watching The Merm who was chewing gum. “Aren’t you nervous Miss Merman?” She asked. Ethel’s response. “Why? I know what I am doing?”

[@poetcomic1]

She was a GREAT SONG JUNKIE. She wanted a big number in the last act of Gypsy and asked for something great. They gave her 'Rose's Turn' and the first time she heard it she was ecstatic "I asked for a song and you gave me an EFFING ARIA! The same in Call Me Madam which she felt needed one more show stopper so Irving Berling wrote her the cross-singing classic 'Your'e Just In Love'. She was ecstatic - "They're not going to let us off the stage!!!" and sure enough when they opened the song got SEVEN ENCORES.

[@emilygracey]

Ethel is a freaking legend 🙌 Gotta say though...I have never seen such a gathering of Donny Osmond impersonators in all my days 😆😆

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

You'd have to check the colour of their socks to make sure.

[@michaelhewinson3886]

who could still belt after nearly 60 years on stage like this no wonder she was the queen of broadway not one flop in her careee

[@filmmekker]

darkeyes909 Happy Hunting ran for 412 performances and made 3.2 million dollars on a 500,000 dollar investment. Hardly a flop...

[@orion8835]

She certainly had been involved in one or two flop. That said the vocal placement and technique which she claims she never learned and was just natural, (lies) was a testament to her professional standards .

[@Montavanni1]

Thank you for posting this. Actually, this was toward the end of her life but her charisma and color were still very much intact. One of a kind that always had Broadway written all over her.

[@rigsf5969]

It's amazing how well her voice kept up as she aged.

[@randywatts6969]

Everyone was mesmerized by her performance there.

[@suzieqtruth6377]

Merman is an Icon of the musical theater and was one of the first real pop music stars of the 20th Century. Anyone who cannot appreciate her talent and artistry is a fool.

[@hollydrucker5235]

One of the best if not the best singers of song in the world.

[@stevemussman4119]

Powerfully Beautiful!!!

[@kerryincolumbus]

Yes, Ethel Merman's voice wobble was out of control at this point in her life... but, GOOD GOD she could still belt it out like only a few others! Judy Garland was the only other one who could belt it like that until the very end of her life!

[@wotan10950]

kerryincolumbus Agree, although I think Streisand, even at age 75, can still pack a great vocal wallop.

[@54jeanmarie]

Patty Lupone & Barbra Streisand are pretty impressive belters!!

[@TheTerryE]

@@54jeanmarie lupone sounds ugly and Streisand tortures songs.

[@retroguy9494]

Personally, I always found her to be a bit nasal. Although she WAS good!

[@tharold8639]

Amazing. Wonderful Ethel Merman. Will never forget seeing her in Gypsy. Unbelievable.

[@wotan10950]

When I was a kid, I thought she was ludicrous. But now I can see how she represented a golden age of Broadway stardom, with a voice that was "sock it to 'em!" Bigger than life.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I felt exactly the same, although I'm having trouble watching this all the way through.

[@davidjrhd]

Dave Glo same here!

[@fonso1030]

M. M. Interesting, any particular reason?

[@goforthjr]

@@fonso1030 when I was in high school my friend and I would argue about Ethel's voice. He insisted that she couldn't sing and I insisted that she could. Actually, I understood what he meant, but I still believe she was a great singer. There are all kinds of singers and she was one of the greatest.

[@markothwriter]

I'm the same way. When I was younger, I hated this era of performers, but I've slowly grown to appreciate what they were. It's kiche, but open and honest.

[@mariemarchesani1595]

Merman did not need money but an audience, yes!

[@JM-lw3nx]

legend!

[@Mobee211]

The Merm was the Shit. Amazing.

[@h193013]

Did she ever play Dolly? She would have been great.

[@Muttonchop57]

She did indeed.

[@februaryschneck]

A true legend

[@src3360]

You can still find her younger sister, Varla Jean Mermen, belting a few songs at a certain bar in NYC 💁🏻🌈

[@MrYonexguy63]

Varla jean is the product of ethels short lived marriage to Ernest Borgnine.

[@src3360]

MrYonexguy63 Varla Jean Mermen is also a famous drag queen 👑

[@MrYonexguy63]

Umm. No kidding. Thats her fictional back story...geez

[@johnpickford4222]

SRC and the other asshole responders: Ethel Merman was an only child and this Varla bitch who can’t decide if he/she/it is a woman or man is 4th class drag queen (misuse of the word ‘queen’). Whether you like or hate her, Ethel Merman was a professional and deserves better than your insulting comments.

[@gwb7875]

Ethel Merman had 1 Child a Son Now Whether this is that Child I don't know that's up to Debate but her Obituary list her Survivers as a Son and 2 Grandchildren No Name was Given.

[@robertd.carver6240]

If you look very closely, you'll catch a brief glimpse of the late, lamented Bob Saggett among the chorus boys!

[@Youbibaby]

Thank you for posting this. Its sad that she more or less had to take whatever she was offered because she needed money. I think she was past her prime by this time. Love you Ethel. RIP dear. You were the best.

[@Montavanni1]

WHAT? I'm afraid you're mistaken Youbibaby. It was blatantly obvious that she was past her prime however I knew her representation well and, trust me, she was FAR from poor. Your compassion is, however, duly noted.

[@BillyBoy442]

Never boring.

[@legrandeanorey3860]

Inolvidable Ethel !!

[@nycruise]

She was the original choice of Jerry Herman's to play "Dolly" (at least according to her). She said many of the songs were written with her in mind and her (in)famous "C" note. At any rate, she was the last to play "Dolly" in the initial Broadway run. I saw her on "Merv Griffin" when the show was closing and that's when she explained her association with the show.

[@rosaf19]

That's all true -- I just watched a documentary about Carol Channing and in the interview with Jerry Herman he said the same, that he wrote the songs for Ethel Merman.

[@Seabasstien]

She's Incredible! Nobody touches her.

[@michaelmiller1215]

The one and only Queen of Broadway!

[@peteralfano4278]

Ah, Ethel. Saw her in Dolly...and no microphones in those days. The kids today should study her professionalism. She was also a nice lady....

[@stephonnammons7974]

She's the Top!

[@johnpickford4222]

If she’s the Top, then baby you’re the Bottom!

[@wookinooki9023]

"I can't believe you're here!". didn't she sign a contract? LMAO he should have said something like "I'm so glad to see you".

[@RevelationswithRabbi]

She is 74 here y'all. She died 2 years later. Her voice is so strong! This is due to a lack of stress and body tension coupled with far superior nutrition than we have access to now. And of course her muscle in general, she has it and it is strong. Most women refuse to gain it for absurd reasons.

[@slc2466]

Get out of the way, here comes the Merm!

[@feathersforfun]

Jerry wrote this for her

[@stephenperretti8847]

That vibrato could bring down the great pyramid of giza.

[@melliemel9469]

I love her . Just my opinion is Carol Channing is the only dolly for me . I saw hello dolly with Carol channing in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, new York city. Best time ever !!!!! I still watch the movie with Barbara and love it every time I watch it.

[@infotainmentpodcast1427]

A Lioness in Winter

[@patriciaadams-rl4iz]

There is no doubt, you would know Ethel Merman's voice.

[@paularcher4607]

This was written for her...

[@trilby5546]

A bit wabbling on held note but that was Ethel.

[@robertarthur3889]

Big vibratos generally do wobble, hers is a force of nature worthy of orchestra tickets to any broadway show she was in. She had star power aside which didn't hurt.

[@MINA-un9oq]

Ethel sang as she wanted

[@callmeonkeshiasphone]

shade

[@mariemarchesani1595]

Merman had no flops..they all paid back the producers. I agree Happy Hunting was not great, but it had GREAT TO BE HERE.

[@monrocsol1739]

She had a big head, doesn't she? And the vibrato in her voice was intense.

[@JimFranzese]

Let us remember that Cole Porter and Irving Berlin were fighting to get her to star for them, for decades. "Show me your friends" , as the saying goes....

[@machovoce6826]

She was a headliner star for 50 years. Wanna try for that Lin-Manuel Miranda, Beyonce or Audra MacDonald?

[@glennfromthebronx]

Well...Audra McDonald... 30+ years and counting! No one like Ethel...and no one ATTEMPTING her heights. But Audra sings beyong vast % of any other singer....plus terrific dramatic prescence...Lord knows, I'd swear she morphed into Billie Holiday when I saw LADY DAY AT EMERSON's. I was friends and a coworker of Don Friedman...Billie's last manager...died back in 2009...well into his 80s.

[@lalagonegaga]

Audra is actually managing quite well.

[@akuabonsu889]

Don’t see how this is relevant. Let’s just appreciate Ms Merman without bringing down other talented individuals x

[@lohphat]

Vibrato you could drive a truck through.

[@TheTerryE]

It's not vibrato, it's a wobble at that point in her life.

[@MartiF205]

Classy lady, sweet person from all accounts but her singing voice, to me, was like scratching fingernails down a chalkboard.

[@fanorama1]

Merman has one note: loud, louder, loudest.

[@stevenwilliambaylessparks3730]

It really wasn't a voice, but a fog horn with a wig.

[@fanorama1]

yeesh..

[@vephanos]

Does dim ond alaw mor gyffrous ag alaw sioe mewn dau bedwar!

[@andrewfinch1656]

Her singing is on a parr with Florence Jenkins

[@TheTerryE]

You're dumber than shit.

[@thomasdelvin3683]

even lip syncking Ethel had lost her power and skills like a sad ballet dancer who cant make the dance anymore

[@tonygilder7912]

And the majority of the dancers dead from A.I.D.S.

[@Greg07623]

Jesus, it sounds like someone swinging a bag of cats in heat around.and around.

[@edwardharbur4907]

+Greg07623 Well, now, aren't you pleased with what a rapier wit you possess? Then why did you watch it, idiot?

[@darreylhenderson8979]

+Greg07623 I ADORE Ethel- but this comment made me LOL non the less!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. But there's only one Ethel.

[@johnpickford4222]

Greg07623: The comment about the bag of cats is the sound women make when you get them drunk and force yourself on them or rent a cheap old ho. The whimpering is you shooting your load before you get it in and whiny “Not again, this always happens.” Gee, truth hurts.

[@Greg07623]

John Pickford actually that is more like a bag of coyotes in heat.

[@Mike-fp5rc]

Eeesh~ my ears are bleeding. Make it stop!

[@johnpickford4222]

Mikey: “Eeesh (whine) Make it stop. (More whining.). TURN THE VIDEO OFF IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT FUCKIN PRICK ASSHOLE. If you’re that stupid then you’re not selling any houses!!

[@tatoepotatoe7475]

Leave the video then

[@DavidAsset78]

Just ghastly. Atrocious voice. Horrendous wobbling vibrato.

[@Stu228]

I'd like to hear you sing that well after singing for as many DECADES as she did and at her age on top of that!

[@DavidAsset78]

I'm not a singer, but the cat on my back fence sings better than she does.

[@JosephNYC66]

Atrocious? Are you insane? SMH...

[@drsunshine1959]

And just why did you come here, since you have such a negative view of the lady? Could it be that you're a troll making the rounds and leaving idiotic and nasty posts wherever you go? Are you a masochist? Is it because IMDB shut down their message boards, eliminating another place for you to slither to and spread your venom? Get a good therapist and grow up.

[@Glitter_Bear]

FUCK YOU