CAROL BURNETT Mattress '59 "Shy"

Carol Burnett repeated her 1959 Broadway role of Princess Winnifred in "Once Upon a Mattress" for two CBS TV specials, in 1964 and 1972. But one may get a better idea of why she was such an instant hit in "Mattress" from this 1959 TV appearance, in which she and the original cast perform her big entrance number "Shy" exactly as they were performing it every night at the Phoenix Theatre, where the new musical had recently opened. The Burnett seen here is not yet the TV superstar she was becoming by the time she taped the first TV "Mattress" five years later.

[@tconroymusic]

Resonant and well-placed, not just “loud” for the sake of being loud.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

carol was always underestimated as a singer!

[@allwinds3786]

Her sound in this song is what a trumpet player should emulate when faced with fff on a page. Powerful, solid, big, without blaring.

[@RossM3838]

She began on broadway and in live theater you have enunciate clearly and loudly for the audience to hear. This experience did her well because louder is often funnier.

[@ajs11201]

@@josephalexandergemmell9979 Carol is an alto--so she was never going to get the headlines or the high notes that sopranos often get. And as a harmony singer, she often had to work harder to get her notes.

[@erizabeta]

Damn right

[@lindaeasley4336]

Carol has spoke more than once of the time she actually fell asleep on top of the mattresses during a stage performance because she was so exhausted from doing both the Garry Moore Show and OUAN at the same time

[@debradipiazza844]

We forget just how freaking talented the lady was! One of the great comediennes, singers, actors, dancers, all-round consummate performer!

[@aahwUNL11]

Holy cow. What a presence. What a voice. What a find.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thanks for the enthusiasm--I love this performance.

[@danielwinner3735]

Carol's really singing to the last three rows of the theater here and really shows how powerful her performance is.

[@mmjhcb]

This is the Carol Burnett I fell in love with in my youth. So genuine, unspoiled, unassuming, and TALENTED. Clearly a super star in the making.

[@4hamor]

I find it so wonderful that Burnett played Princess Winnifred and Queen Aggravain in the movie

[@GroovyShelly]

What a voice! What a delightful presence! I've played Winnifred twice and have always idolized the one and only original Princess, brilliant Carol.

[@bluegenes2273]

I swear this is my theme song. My [now] five year old loves it as well. She used to call out in grocery stores, "hey! hi! how're you doing; i'm shy!".

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Great song, great performance. Glad to hear your young daughter likes it.

[@MsGrockle]

Came to check out the original and wonderful Carol Burnett, after watching Mrs Maisel!

[@louderman1175]

this channel is PRESERVING ART 🥰

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Thank you and much appreciated.

[@locorco1]

It's a shame that Mary Rodgers didn't write more musicals.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Couldn't agree more--perhaps she was discouraged by the quick failure of "Hot Spot."

[@locorco1]

​@@auroraspiderwoman5886 She did some other musicals like her adaptation of her own book Freaky Friday but they unfortunately remain so obscure it's hard to tell how they were. So much potential lost.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@locorco1 Thank you for mentioning "Freaky Friday"---I tend to forget that she wrote her own musical version of her book. And there were also her contributions to "The Mad Show" and "Working." But "Mattress" indicates to me a major composing talent that Broadway didn't get nearly enough of.

[@GJF118]

I saw the original production of "The Mad Show" and played the LP over and over and over... I also saw "Freaky Friday" in its premiere production at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. I see on Wikipedia that she also contributed material to "Working" and "Side by Side by Sondheim" (I think it's "The Boy From..." which came from "The Mad Show") so I guess I've seen more of her work than I realized.

[@princepeterwolf]

She was phenomenal in this role

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

No question about that.

[@Johanna.EG.]

Oh, that was WONderful!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I couldn't agree more.

[@GaryRoseCO]

She has always been so funny and unique, my family love her.

[@sharonhoyt2133]

What a gift Carol Burnett has been to so many people...I'm as big a fan now as I was as a teen when she first came to television.

[@mmjhcb]

At least the talent remains.

[@MikeA15206]

The woman who did the cover on the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was very good, but CB voice here was outstanding, good tone, she played with volume and crescendo.

[@Gary_Jaffe]

I truly didn't care for that moment on Mrs. Maisel - but it's nearly impossible to replicate the young Burnett.

[@francinegee9997]

I've known about this song for over forty years, but I'd never *heard* it until now. It's exactly as I thought it would be!

[@chryskiddrocks]

Fantastic.

[@lalagonegaga]

Why is this so perfect?

[@sebastianarteaga9890]

Mrs maisel brought me here!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yep, just finished the show and was quite certain that Leslie Kritzer took a good look at this clip before shooting her number in the "Maisel" finale.

[@sebastianarteaga9890]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 absolutely flawless episode and an amazing recreation of the musical number. I immediately looked it up

[@reverbscherzo7850]

Lol, I’m here from Randy Rainbow.

[@Gary_Jaffe]

Thank you for posting this, I'd never seen it. It's so thrilling to see her do it during the run of the show even before it comes to Broadway. She's 26 years old here and in full command of the proceedings. As Princess Winnifred says, "Oh, that was WONDERFUL!"

[@showtunestarpower]

i am excited to say that after all these years (I saw the very first telecast) Carol is better than ever. How I love the song - and the choreography!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Delighted you enjoyed!

[@showtunestarpower]

aurora spiderwoman but I didn’t realize that this was NOT the first version I saw. I saw the complete telecast in the mid sixties. I was wondering why I liked this version’s choreography so much more. This version has even more of an edge. Sadly. Carol is lip syncing in the color version and how I miss Joseph Bova.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@showtunestarpower as far as missing joe bova, ME TOO!

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

What a treat!! Another live performance of a great musical on tv preserved. Thank you for posting it.

[@tconroymusic]

A real number! I love it. This is a perfect I WANT song.

[@chocolatesouljah]

I had the great joy of choreographing this show locally in Berkeley CA, 10 years ago. It was great fun for me and the cast of teens. It was hard for me to convey to them the star quality of Carol Burnett. This clip would have set everyone straight. So wonderful. The costumes are astounding , for Broadway and this was Off Broadway! I wonder if they were able to buy some of the old "Kiss Me, Kate" costumes as there are some similarities. I love that Ms. Burnett is cheating out for most of the song and is clearly selling it to the back of the house, albeit a smaller Off Broadway one. Great to see such an excellent quality clip of this show.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Love your comment.

[@chocolatesouljah]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 And likewise I love your channel!

[@rpbphx]

HA! Just like on The Gordon Ford Show on Mrs. Maisel!

[@christopherbush9027]

I adore this score and show. This is a real treat to watch Spiderwoman-one of the true great comedic talents in her prime! Thank you Spiderwoman!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Once again, you've got it exactly right. Well-known as this show is, the score remains underrated. I do wish that the team of Rodgers and Barer had continued.

[@christopherbush9027]

aurora spiderwoman I wish they had too!

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@christopherbush9027 me three!

[@ccscalpo]

That was spectacular!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

So glad you enjoyed.

[@Gameboyboy17]

Oh please keep these once upon a mattress clips coming! It’s one of my favorite shows and has such little coverage! A great find as always aurora!

[@sussycathal]

tell me how the quality of this is better than most modern filmings of shows, this is from the FIFTIES people!!!

[@DocM55]

Wow, I didn’t know this existed. Thank you for posting it. Carol is even more brilliant here than in the B&W version of the entire show from the early ‘60s, and the kinescope is better quality than what I remember of the latter. A bit of trivia some may not know: Jane White, the actress playing Queen Agravain, was an African American playing the role in whiteface. Oddly enough, her father was the head of the NAACP. She was brilliant in the role, and I believe she also played the role in the B&W TV version of the whole show.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Jane White played Queen A. in both of the TV productions with Carol as Winnifred. Jane was irreplaceable in the role.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 jane white is FABULOUS, and her performance is a big part of this show's success!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@josephalexandergemmell9979 Have to say that Jane White's Queen was one of the greatest comic performances I've ever seen. Carol was smart enough to grab her for the first two TV productions (and of course Carol attempted the role in the third TV version).

[@hawby7mgh]

Google Jane White and read of her issues and decisions in taking on this role. It is quite something.

[@MsJmb1980]

Her dad is Walter White????

[@TJ1920]

Brilliant positively Brilliant Carol Burnett such a talented woman Love Shy sing it Carol

[@tconroymusic]

The opening number of this show, (WE HAVE) AN OPENING FOR A PRINCESS, provides a model that still works.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

"Opening for a Princess" and "Shy" are both terrific numbers. "Mattress" is a well-known hit, but I don't think the quality of the score has ever gotten its due. In its own way, it's as good as most of the other great scores of the time.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 i agree!

[@Lukerdog]

YIPPEE! Ah, Ms. Burnett... Twas cast in my first musical "Once/Mattress" '78 while still in elementary school cuz they needed a dancer for "Very Soft Shoes." Our Fred, a high school senior at the time, earned her Equity card a few years later. Worn out a couple of records of the OBC, then cassette tapes, then cds over the years. iPod nearly creaks when it approaches the soundtrack now 😄 Thank you, A.S. once again for providing another delicious experience! Peace be with you...Lukerdog

[@FairFeline]

I am playing Winnifred in a community theatre soon, and I’ve been looking for inspiration online. I must say, none of the other portrayals of her have felt as right as Carol Burnetts version. Proud to be taking inspiration from her for my production.

[@bernieappugliese2029]

Perfect way to start my day! Thank you!

[@justajo2]

Carol created this role and owned it! I first saw a performance of "Mattress" at Otero Junior College (La Junta, Colorado) in summer 1962, two years before I saw it on TV. Princess Winnifred was played by - believe it or not - a high school junior who also had an amazing voice. I acted with her in another production, Little Mary Sunshine, summer 1964 and she had only gotten better. I have no idea where she is now. I'd like to tell her she's had a lifetime fan.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

thank you SO much for posting this! she is FABULOUS!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

I adore this clip.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 me too!

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 and you are SO right! this is SO good, carol enjoying her first real success!

[@patriciagerresheim2500]

We're already seeing some of her trademark mannerisms, such as the squeak on 'That was wonderful!'

[@markbraunstein58]

I guess I can thank Mrs Maisel for this suggestion. Thanks!

[@bradwatson1048]

This performance is sung a minor-third HIGHER than the OBC recording. FULL-OUT belted "SHY" on a B-flat... I suspect they took it down to the G for the recording to not wear her out first thing. It is an incredibly taxing role on the voice eight shows per week. I know of some who only managed four shows a week by cutting "Happily Ever After". Carol is one-of-a-kind!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Fascinating info, thank you.

[@Gary_Jaffe]

Actually, the OBC is not a minor-third down, but just one step down from this (with the belted "shy" being an A) - I just listened to it. But, I'm surprised my ears have never noticed that. I doubt that they changed the key for the run of the show. My guess would be that they changed it for the album to make it slightly less strident - they may have thought without the benefit of Carol's masterful visual performance, it would sound jarring. But, the role is not nearly as vocally demanding as some of the truly rough roles (like Rose in GYPSY or Mame or obviously a role like Evita). Winnifred has "Shy" "The Swamps of Home" "Song of Love (Fred)" and "Happily Ever After." "Happily" is her ONLY song in Act 2, so if it has to be cut to "manage four shows a week" then they have not cast the right actress. I do know "Happily" was cut from the 1964 tv filming with Burnett, but that was because the entire run time had to be 90 minutes - but the song is included in the 1972 tv filming, which is good because it's really Winnifred's "11 o'clock number." All this said, agreed - Carol is a singular sensation.

[@perchance2dream736]

Woah! Thanks for posting this, I never saw this before. Love to have it on KZbin!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Glad you enjoyed--one of my favorites.

[@irenedennis1003]

A gem from the past!

[@lewiscleale5236]

When we were quite sure the revival would be closing in 1997, Mary R.stopped by the Broadhurst once Sunday matinee. I had a basement crossunder in Act 2 and waiting to do the Yesterday I Loved You scene, I was sitting and talking with her. She sighed and was sad about the impending closing but mentioned that maybe they would send it out on a national tour. I asked, "Who are you thinking of for Winnifred?" She thought maybe Rikki Lake could do it. I asked Mary if she could sing. Mary just rolled her eyes at me and said, "At this point, who gives a FUCK?" She was my adopted Jewish grandmother. Also, Marshall Barer was banned from the theater after he sneaked into SJP's dressing room one night during the show and left a video of Carol doing Mattress on her table with a note telling her to watch and "do what Carol does." He wore lots of animal print pants and was kinda kooky as I recall. He was also a genius. I love the lyrics to that show.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Hi Lewis. As a huge fan of this show, especially its score, that Mary Rodgers story makes me sad. The MB video story is a riot, and now it can be told!

[@marleygreen3866]

how does it feel knowing you’re the savior of the entire theatre community?? lol thanks so much for this upload!!

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

This is wildly high praise, and I thank you for it. Just glad to hear you're enjoying.

[@jbtechcon7434]

It's really hard to comprehend how a person we was an adult in 1959 can still be alive today. It's not even the same century.

[@Texaslawhorn]

My grandfather was 36 in 1959 and just celebrated his 101st birthday earlier this month.

[@riverebec1]

Why did I never appreciate Carol Burnett's considerable vocal chops?

[@javimu111]

Super-collossaly-Uber Talented!!

[@brooklynmcguire]

My GOAL is to sing this good! I'm very motivated to practice now!

[@hardcandy9880]

Went here after I saw the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's last episode. It's exactly like this.

[@tyce]

Incredible. Also funny they wouldn’t let her say “God knows” 😅😂

[@girassol.6862]

03:59 oh, that was WOAÆÆNDERFUL!

[@charity66]

This is PRICELESS - thanks so much Aurora Spiderwoman! Do you know what 50’s TV show presented this?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

The Garry Moore Show, Carol's TV home prior to getting her own show.

[@markanderson7885]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 was this after she was a member of the Garry Moore Show, or did this produce the invitation to a job?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

@@markanderson7885 She became a regular on the Garry Moore Show the same year as "Mattress," 1959. So this may very well be just as she was about to join Garry Moore.

[@Mrnickstr89]

God I cannot WAIT to see what Sutton Foster does with this song.

[@user-sm6qu2yh4w]

She's cute as hell in this

[@Itstonytime77]

Leslie Kritzer would have been great in a revival of this. Im also pissed that they didnt cast Andrea McArdle in the revival in the 97 revival. She had the perfect voice for this much better suited that SJP!

[@thewkovacs316]

andrea mcardle would have been perfect for a revival

[@JoanBette]

They made her say “gad zooks” instead of “god knows”...I assume this was TV censorship? Seems extreme but hey, that was the 50’s

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Yep, absolutely correct.

[@kevinr.m.richardson812]

Which is a really interesting choice of euphemism, since it stands for "God's hooks," or the nails holding Jesus to the cross. Quite a graphic reference to be seen as a tamer alternative to casually saying that God knows a given thing.

[@akrenwinkle]

I don't know how the male performers' costumes got past the prim CBS censors.

[@chrisnorman9980]

I played Dauntless the Drab in a high school production of this show. Thirty-five years later, my nephew played the jester in his high school production. I believe it was the late 70s, when Carol Burnett did a remake of the show on television with Ken Berry as Dauntless. Carol Burnett will always own the part of Winifred - Sarah Jessica Parker (kind of strange casting) in the Broadway revival) not withstanding.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

The first TV version was in 1964 and can be found on KZbin. The second, from 1972, was released on DVD three years ago, under the title "Carol + 2."

[@chrisnorman9980]

Ah. So, early Seventies before our high school production. The older I get, the more date grow fuzzier. :) As always, thank you.

[@kqwjfw]

Came to find original after watching Marvelous Mrs Maisel! 🤣

[@BlueJaguarRanger]

There are frames of this that wouldn’t look out of place in an analog horror series

[@TheMrchuck2000]

This part is no longer available, in case people wondered. Which sucks.

[@zachpayne3533]

She deserves more attention/praise/glory than Merman ever got...

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

i agree! i love merman, but carol was ALWAYS underestimated!

[@elenas3571]

“You SWAM the MOAT?”

[@leyrodriguez]

Fred: Hey nonny nonny is it you? Knight: Hey nonny nonny nonny no. Fred: Hey nonny nonny is it you? Knight: Hey nonny nonny nonny no. Fred: Hey nonny nonny is it you or you or you or you or Dauntless: Nonny nonny noony noony nonny noonny Queen: NO NO NO! Fred: Someone's being bashful That's no way to be Not with me Can't you see That I am just as embarassed as you And I can understand your point of view I've always been SHY I confess that I'm SHY Can't you guess that this confident air Is a mask that I wear 'cause I'm shy And you can be sure Way down deep I'm demure Though some people I know may deny it At bottom I'm quiet and pure I'm aware that it's wrong to be meek as I am My chances may pass me by I pretend to be strong, but as weak as I am All I can do is try God knows I try Though I'm frightened and shy And despite the impression I give I confess that I'm living a lie Because I'm actually terribly timid And horribly shy Though a lady may be dripping with glamour As often as not she will stumble and stammer When suddenly confronted with romance And she's likely to fall on her face When she's finally face to face With a pair of pants Quite often the lady's not as hard to please as she seems Quite often she will settle for something less than the man of her dreams I'm going fishing for a mate Knights: She's going fishing for a mate Fred: I'm gonna look in every brook Knights: She's gonna look in every brook Fred: But how much longer must I wait With baited breath and hook? **DANCE BREAK** Fred: Oh that was WONDERFUL! And that is why Though I'm painfully shy I'm insane to know which sir, You sir? Knights: Not I sir Fred: Then who sir Where sir and when sir I couldn't be tenser So let's get this done man Get on with the fun man I am one man Knights: The lady's one man All: Shy!

[@Twentythousandlps]

Composed by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, mother of Adam Guettel.

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

the man playing the minstrel IS SO funny in his reactions to carol. what was his name?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Harry Snow

[@josephalexandergemmell9979]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886 thank you!

[@nexussever]

I wonder if this was from the Ed Sullivan show. I remember seeing her do this number and was fascinated.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

It's from the Garry Moore Show, where Burnett would soon become a regular.

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

@@auroraspiderwoman5886She makes a gesture like she’s blowing a kiss to Garry Moore

[@StacyDarc]

Anyone know what show this was on?

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

The Gary Moore Show

[@santodios3013]

3:30

[@coyoteroadkill]

Was this The Ed Sullivan Show? He would have broadway numbers by the original cast that were currently being performed on Broadway.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

The Gary Moore Show

[@kevinbailey8827]

I've been a little disappointed by the two TV versions when I watch them on KZbin. I remember seeing the 1972 version when it first aired when I was a kid, and I loved it then, but there were some decisions they made while staging it that don't feel like the best choices. This performance feels as fresh as it certainly was.

[@giovannirastrelli9821]

All three television productions make bizarre and incomprehensible changes to the original show.

[@auroraspiderwoman5886]

Still can't believe that "Happily Ever After" was dropped (and replaced by a new song, "Under a Spell") from the first TV version.

[@lillianyarbrough]

What key is the song in

[@thewkovacs316]

yes

[@Gary_Jaffe]

I believe it's in the key of B here.

[@d.e.p.-j.7106]

too many ads

[@user-sm6qu2yh4w]

Excuse my language so she is cute as f****** this

[@smurf902]

Casting SJW in the revival was about as dreadful as casting Blossom Dearie as Mama Rose (imagine how dry that would be). Carol and the amazing Pat Suzuki were phenomenal belters with true beauty in their voices.

[@IsiahTomas]

Yes, the moat was swammed, and no, that's not a real word, but can we please stop walking down this White House hallway already?