Bette Midler 1974 Tony Awards

Johnny Carson presents Bette Midler with a special Tony.

[@carrielensner433]

Saw Bette Midler in '72 when she played the Troubadour. Barry Manilow was her pianist. Was a great show!!!!

[@zigman8550]

I wonder if Bette is still jealous that Karen Carpenter had more vocal talent in her pinky finger then she has in her whole body.

[@dianahohimer1107]

Wow.

[@rosg1746]

“You still dress like a stolen car” love Johnny Carson, so articulate, witty, slightly on his nerves.

[@stephaniesometimess]

What does that mean?

[@dianag7449]

@@stephaniesometimess fast I think lol

[@uncountedsurvivor9409]

I was one of her many bellmen years ago. She was Charming. She gave me a signed photo. (The signature was smudged..but Oh Well!) But her talent and her heart are Vast. She has always been a champion for gays and basic human rights. Thank you Bette Midler for all you have done and all that you Are!

[@ron4501]

Decades later, Bette Midler sang the final song the night Carson went off the air.

[@CarmensDolls]

I was thinking that when I just located this just now.

[@pbohearn]

He shed a tear. Make it one for my baby, and one more for the road... that long, long road.... Both consummate performers.

[@pbohearn]

A very authentically moving moment between 2 entertainers who had a lot of affection and respect for each other as the professionals they both are/were. Johnny did not suffer fools.

[@der22672]

How cool was that Johnny Carson giving Bette's special award to her, not knowing that gosh i guess exactly 20 years later that Bette would be Johnny's last guest on his next to last show in late night on "The Tonight Show".

[@der22672]

I think you misunderstood my post Robert. I said that back then nobody knew what was going to happen 20 years later did they?

[@daniwebb554]

She is so divine and she deserves that title !!! She is my idol ❤️

[@lajas46]

+Robert Novak And received a Emmy for that Iconic performance

[@RayNDeere]

Johnny was Bette's biggest supporter in the early days. When Johnny did the show from New York, she was on the show often.. The other great story. The surviving Andrews sisters went backstage to meet Bette after a show. Bette's first words to them were "What else did you sing?"

[@billhawes2600]

Loved them both! Remember what Bette always said from Sophie Tucker "F--- em if they can't take a koke!" Lol!

[@cilloranfisher7276]

I love how Bette always goes to FUN, humor, intelligence, serious earnestness, and call to action. She's the best.

[@virghammer1]

Hear, Hoopla, HEAR ! She is unspeakably spectacular! 🎉❤ 🎊 🎵 ❤❤❤❤

[@blahexcuse]

I'm 14 years old and I love her with my whole heart! She has been my role model for two years and counting!

[@michelesfo7799]

I had the unique pleasure of meeting Johnny Carson.

[@calvinnay814]

what a bond that was forged between Johnny Carson & Bette Midler; no wonder it was such a special moment that she was asked to perform at Carson's last Tonight Show episode.

[@rr7firefly]

It's so obvious that these two had great affection and admiration for each other. This was Johnny at his very best. And it's great to see and hear Bette at the beginning of her illustrious career.

[@bingovegas4867]

Is it me or did she have her nose done? She looks so different now, better actually. She is an extraordinary actress and performer.

[@frankcarter7146]

She was hand chosen by Johnny to be his last guest ever on his show. She sang "One More For the Road", AMAZING...

[@FranklyScarlettFaced]

@@bingovegas4867 yes. I think at least twice now actually.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

@@bingovegas4867 : looks like she had surgical alterations to reduce her buck teeth.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

@BWStopGivingBirthToYourEnemy ! : what the hell does that have to do with the rest of the comments in this thread?

[@virghammer1]

If ANYONE on this Good, Goshawfully Good, Green Earth 🌍 officially qualifies as a true human phenomenon: it is: Bette Midler! ❤ 🙏🏼 🌟

[@ML-xh6rd]

Truer words have never been spoken, the theatre is an experience unto itself and a wonderful form of entertainment. So many of today's movie and television stars got their start on a stage somewhere, school, community or regional.

[@Finsirith]

I love that she spoke to those who don't yet know the theater, inviting them to come and see.

[@mrs.herculepoirot7763]

I still miss Johnny Carson.

[@313girl5]

I do too...but Hollywood is so woke that his sense of humor would be torn apart today.

[@menashadude]

I was six years old when this aired....I met her 5 years later after "The Rose" she had a book called, "A View From A Broad" My brother and I skipped school to stand in line at B. Dalton bookstore in downtown Chicago to meet her. It was 1980. I came home from Army Airborne Reserve training at Ft. Benning GA in 1992, the very night Johnny Carson ended his show......Bette Midler famously sang, "One More For My Baby and One More For The Road" I get it now....I knew that he introduced her to America on his talk show but I had no idea how inextricably linked they truely were in the minds of the people and the industry. This is a miraculous post and fills in the puzzle peices for me all these years later. Thank you. This is stunning and fun.

[@wmadamzzz]

Johnny also asked Bette to appear with him in Las Vegas, more than once. I don't remember the dates, but do remember her coming on his TV show and he asked what she thought of Las Vegas. They performed at the Stardust (Johnny was a part owner, IIRC) and she told the audience that the Stardust sign on the strip reminded her what an orgasm felt like.

[@54jeanmarie]

Beautiful memory!!

[@llibzlov]

Bette came into my flower stand in Laguna Beach 24 hours after the last Tonight Show we bowed to her and she cried and we all cried as we knew we all just witnessed television history and The Divine Miss M. herself was there with us. A moment I will never forget.

[@jennyq4979]

Wonderful memories, Donald, so I thought I would share one with you - I was in the audience in the concert scene in The Rose. It was so much fun! Everyone dressed like hippies and we got to spend hours watching Bette act and sing of course. And she was really sweet to the audience because we would have to wait a lot, because of the filming, so she would perform some of her songs while we were all waiting. They would let us know when it was back to filming so we could do the reactions that they wanted and applaud of course. She was super funny too and made it a great experience.

[@enriquerodriguezjr4466]

Was she's very nice?

[@stematfisnyc]

That was so much fun. younger viewers wouldnt get the context of this clip because they missed the process of life that led up to it. Miss M was always breaking through the glass ceiling in the 70's and a show like this was always too structured. she broke ground by running dancing playing and always making things more fun for us the viewers. So many of us learned that exploring was the joy to living a fuller life and people like her helped us find the fun in everything. Thank you for posting.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

"younger viewers wouldnt get the context of this clip...." i hate comments like this ^ .

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

@@nowvoyagerNE I'm 77 and I agree...it simply discounts people...

[@M_SC]

@@nowvoyagerNE usually I do too but here it’s both accurate and with a helpful mindset so you’re the pointless negative one this time.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

@@M_SC : and you are a jack ass.

[@fieldsofsummer]

@@nowvoyagerNE Esther is agreeing with you saying you were “accurate” It is Mr Newson’s comment she is saying is “pointless and negative “.

[@marygamino5518]

I always remember her in the great movie "Beaches."

[@MontagZoso]

The Rose was her best role.

[@MADHAUSMARKALLAN]

wow you’re so young

[@wickedfan811]

@@MontagZoso do you mean Madam Rose from "Gypsy"?

[@ruthannkizakavich3325]

I love her movie" For The Boys"!!❤❤❤👏👏👏

[@beaellie9766]

@@wickedfan811 No. She was nominated for her first Oscar for a film called, "The Rose". It was a role no other person could have played and she soared as a result. The Academy did not give her the award, sadly, as it was believed at the time she was just playing herself.

[@KimSearch865]

I was 9 when this aired. I didn’t discover the Devine Ms. M until I saw “The Rose” in 1979.... and fell in love with Bette!! Getting stoned with my friends and watching it on the big screen at the Fox theatre in Westwood, Ca.! She was the embodiment of Rock ‘n Roll & I was hooked!! ✨🌈🍄✨✌️✨💖✨

[@kathrynmolesa1641]

Bette was superb in a little known movie, "For the Boys".

[@jsetennis9224]

one of my favorites of her is Big Business, it is hilarious.

[@jakedeleonramirez6943]

I think she was nominated for Best Actress in the Oscars for the film.

[@dwanebeattie5804]

Amazing Movie. ☺ 👍 ♥

[@Gemmarose9012]

It’s a well known Oscar nominated movie, it just wasn’t well received.

[@hutchu1]

They were very good friends. She was his last guest before he retired from the tonight show. His choice and only choice.

[@Nylgk]

I remember her show at the Palace like it was yesterday. Great show, great Bette Midler, well-deserved award.👍🏼

[@TheToddtw]

My high school art teacher in Portland Oregon turned me on to Bette Midler in 1972 when she did her Devine Miss M tour. She lent me her album then took me to the concert. I saw every west coast concert she did from 1972 until she did her millennial New Years Eve concert in Las Vegas. I cant wait for her to do Hocus Pocus 2.

[@jv-ep2tc]

a high school teacher took her student to a concert?

[@mattw4496]

Johnny is looking so good! 😍

[@frankiebowie6174]

Her remarks on the theater are spot on. She made her name being silly and over the top, but she is a serious woman.

[@mysticmaverick1]

Saw her in concert twice - once in Vegas. She is a mesmerizing live performer who can make me laugh and cry.

[@91Kingscrib84]

Bette's just announced a new tour and, among other cities around North America, she'll be heading to Vancouver BC, Roger's Arena, May 2015! Last time she played here The Divine Miss M Tour (1973), she killed us with her wild costumes, amazing singing, and routines. Who could forget Bette's intro of her backup singers, "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to The Harlettes, fresh off a tour at Coney Island - where they were one of the rides!" None other than the Divine Miss M could deliver such an outrageous line with such aplomb! ;-) ~Can't wait to see this divine 'dame' again!

[@missyvohnne]

" You still dress like a stolen car." That was great ! :)

[@Multi1628]

Tonight Bette won a Tony 2017 for HELLO DOLLY ~ she is the Divine Miss M! ~ Congrats to our national hero, Bette Midler! ~ Love, Cheers, DAVEDJ ~ and, this was never a compliment to the Tony Awards show, this was only all about Bette Midler...

[@4260laurel]

loathed this Tony show- and the selfish producers from Dolly who gave us a crap number- and Kevin- give it a rest

[@4260laurel]

I live in LA, I'm in the business- it was a bore of a show and unless you are a kevin spacey queen- OVERDONE..the the hell was that last number with the Diva LaPone about

[@4260laurel]

when needed, absolutely.

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

GOOD LORD,, stop bickering you two it doesn't suit either of you Now as i as writing,,,,, '' Oh, i did not know Bette had won another Tony??! thank you for sharing,,,, I will look it up,,, Thank you Bette is awesome..!!

[@pam0626]

They really had a special magic together. Wow, is Bette smart.

[@fritzcat6198]

And nasty as hell.

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

Smart? Care to elaborate?

[@pam0626]

@@goodmorningsundaymorning4533 Her remarks at 3:30 about the importance of theatre. Intelligent observation and it shows she cares about something other than herself.

[@emilyclarke-frear8241]

I'm only 12 and my favourite actress is The Divine Miss M. She amazing and has been through so much!! Love her!

[@alpimarzi5501]

Just reading your comment and you’re 20 now! Time warp. Hope you’re turning all your friends on to great music. Peace!

[@misterhot9163]

I love how the stage hand ran off as the curtain went up 😁

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

that's live theater !

[@stclsmith]

@@KindCountsDeb3773 - it's almost as if it was done on purpose, couldn't stop laughing at how he creeps off. I wonder what he was doing ? There is really nothing to do there except hold up the set.

[@touraneindanke]

Always about way more than herself! Bette ♥️you!

[@sugarsong7]

love this clip...I never knew Johnny had been on a New York stage. I never knew that Better had been on Broadway.

[@TheMusicalJourneys]

Well! Just saw her recent Tony Award speech. She really hasn't changed much, has she? Amazing lady!

[@Oiseaul]

Love Bette, she should win Tony Award for " I'll eat you last" Sue Mengers

[@misssuestar5]

Bette is wonderful in everything she does.....theater, movies, concerts, you name it! The girl is a live wire and a true gem!!!

[@mickeybonus100]

If only she get an Oscars she will join the EGOT club!!!!

[@charlescrockett6208]

ROBBED FOR THE ROSE!

[@edreid7872]

So robbed....

[@ML-xh6rd]

She definitely deserves one for her film career. Given her age now it's unlikely she'll achieve the EGOT milestone which is an entertainment tragedy if there ever was one.

[@FranklyScarlettFaced]

We know she earned it!

[@misssuestar5]

She has been nominated twice, and should have gotten it both times! She also should have gotten an Oscar for “Beaches”, I mean, COME ON! She has killed in every single movie she has done!!!

[@JAIMECGIBBS]

Thank you so much for posting this...I have been wanting to see this!!!

[@jeffandersen7397]

Johnny Carson is American Television

[@c.d.macaulay66]

She reminds me a lot of Linda Lavin. One was born in Hawaii, the other in Lewiston Maine, yet they both are quintessential New Yorkers. In accent, attitude and, above all, talent.

[@Gemmarose9012]

Bette Midler doesn’t have a New York accent.

[@Mona07452]

Love her. Just this side of 30! Incredible.

[@aliciagoldsby1039]

Oh boy, the old nose! Love her!

[@carlozabbia1157]

Smashed...but that was Bette Midler in the '70s! And we loved her...still do.

[@holyworrier]

That entrance! Good lord. :)

[@edithlazenby5839]

She is a brilliant women!! Sooo talented....she does live better than anyone!!

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

She's very hateful.

[@HardRockMiner]

I love her, but to me she will always be The Rose.

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

Bette is ‘70s chic. Sings, dances, and acts - triple threat.

[@Mickju]

I saw her show in Brisbane, Australia in the late 70s. It was miraculous.

[@eadler5929]

She is divine!

[@robyoung9968]

Miss you Johnny Carson..

[@samprimera5545]

"I never got one of these" (the Tony),but oh my Bette you ate your own words years later by coming back to Broadway and doing first Gypsy,then Hello Dolly with David Hyde Pierce.They don't call you The Divine Miss M for nothin Missy.Thats why I've always loved you.

[@ndines6237]

She really is divine! ❤️

[@vocam12]

She was just as beautiful as she is today.

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

You must be into ppl who are nosey👃?

[@luvbearbut]

It's not often that a movie star or anyone for that matter becomes more beautiful the older they get. Bette is definitely in that category!

[@Gemmarose9012]

That’s because she could afford surgeries as she got older.

[@ryan197888]

thank you for this post!!!

[@mrsastockham]

....I'd go to a theater production if SHE was in it. I LOVE Fiddler on the Roof. It has been one of my favorite musicals since I was a little girl. Lol I used to watch it every year at CHRISTMAS at grandma and grandpa's house. lol One of my aunts married a Jewish man and lol....Minnesota nice kicks in. They do Hanukkah and light their candles and we all reverence that, and then later in the month we get together on Christmas Eve and my aunt still goes to midnight mass with grandma and the other aunts. Funny enough...four or 5 different religions under one roof for Christmas doesn't seem to be any bother. But...grandma will shoot you between the eyes with a double barrel shotgun if ANYONE brings up POLITICS. She's always been one of the most intelligent people I've ever known. Grandmas know everything. Grandma likes Bette Middler, so I think we're onto something here!

[@yaywhewclips242]

Bette: whatta talent!!!! I think she's just a great broad!!

[@spazzcat03]

I can say I was with Bette Midler !

[@sethdarque3904]

@time marker 3.35....WOW!!!!!! SHAKE IT LADY!!!!!! LOVE IT! Lololol....

[@balloonguyinva]

Even if she was, she spoke gracefully... she is a real talent

[@johnscott6960]

Bette. Barbra. Liza. Judy. Cher. That is all... 🌈🎼💞❤️

[@maverickwatchreviews]

Ewww to all including the rainbow emoji.

[@johnscott6960]

​@@maverickwatchreviews Why are you watching, let alone commenting, on Bette Midler at the Tony Awards, Mr Homophobe? 🌈🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@robertsnyder7014]

I was with Bette Midler On August 5th 1980 ,,, She spent a lot of time with me asking me very personal questions and even asked if she can sit next to me , so she pulls up a chair and sits very close to me saying oh my feet are so sore , then she starts taking off her shoes rubbing her feet .... Bette does not like to Eat Hamburgers , I offered to buy her one , she said to me no i Don't eat that stuff , She also told me she wanted to do the rose and the chapel of love Better , Also I said to her , Have you ever thought about recording a Beatles Song ? She smiled at me and said , Maybe One Day I will .. And to my surprise she did ... i will never forget how Bette Was so nice to me ....A long Time Ago , You Walked Into My Life And Told Me You Just Bought A Home , Then We Were Talking About All Kinds Of Things , And Then You Asked Me Where Are You From ? Bette I Still Can't Believe , You Started Talking To Me '' I Didn't See You As A Star Just A very nice Lady , Spending your time with me , And as The Years Go By I keep Asking Myself Why ? Oh God " Why Didn't I Just Sing ?

[@richardvergara]

I love her nose!!! She must have a really great sense of smell.

[@FranklyScarlettFaced]

Yeah I don’t think she should’ve had rhinoplasty, but she’s beautiful before and after!

[@akrenwinkle]

02:00 Love the stage hand getting caught!

[@Tnteamclear]

This is part of her act, can't you people clearly see this. She completely gets serious about it and straightens out at the end.

[@rosaliecaliendo6415]

Better is great and I wish she still did conerts..♥️♥️♥️

[@Rcity2332]

Her entrance 😂👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@rolandreyna215]

She look exactly what Johnny said, a stolen car. She showed off and shook her assets lol

[@margaretlynch1494]

❤❤priceless!

[@zibbyzubb]

How fun, and then 40+ years later she would actually win a Tony for Hello Dolly. Other than her hair color and makeup she really has not changed much.

[@Gemmarose9012]

Just her eyes and her nose and her hair and her whole persona. She was quite soft spoken here.

[@midnified2227]

She's amazing in Drowning Mona!!!

[@elliepond5984]

Yes she is amazing, that frying pan scene with William Fichtner makes me laugh every time. A very funny movie that no body has ever seen! Glad you appreciate it x

[@midnified2227]

@@elliepond5984 not to mention Casey Affleck being gorgeous and also hilarious in that movie...

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.

[@anniesue4456]

I was a teenager when her movie "The Rose" came out I saw it 10 times

[@zibbyzubb]

still divine,though she got even prettier as she got older.

[@lonniesponsler5072]

A little plastic surgery never hurt a growing gal 😉.

[@stanmarcusgtv]

even? fugly

[@zibbyzubb]

@@stanmarcusgtv STFU asshole.

[@CasuallyObservant]

@Glenn Weeks - No, she was never pretty. Not then, not now. But she was likeable and talented. WAS. But over the past five years or so her true personality revealed itself in public statements, tweets and commentary against her political and personal enemies. Her strong opinions have been cruel, vicious and misguided. Her truly ugly words have manifested in her face. I cannot unsee them now and I am repulsed by them and by her. I had no idea she had such filthy and mean thoughts and can no longer support her.

[@jabjab4434]

@@CasuallyObservant Why the fuc would you even be viewing this ? It makes no sense and shows how benign you really are with your comments.

[@hildanavarro9379]

Wow 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍She is great

[@jTiroff]

gosh..i remember also..she rambled on and on like she was Wasted. Great Performer and Singer.

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

What happened to that Bette?????

[@civilizedsatyr]

Is it just me or did Bette have just the tiniest bit of a nose straightening before coming to the movies?

[@MrDanamp]

No, not the tiniest... It looks like a full-on nose job to me.

[@starlitestarbright514]

I was noticing that......geez !!!!!!

[@Scorchy666]

Absolutely that was the first thing I noticed. Not throwing shade upon B (I have a broken nose as well) but its a very risky thing to do since it alters the sound of your voice.

[@davidmiller8856]

theatre is alive!

[@Vejur9000]

Icon. Legend. Genius.

[@maverickwatchreviews]

Nowhere near an icon, easily forgotten and below average liberal intelligence.

[@Hands2HealNow]

Ive always enjoyed Bett Middler and its a special treat that she gained in skills and presentation all her life!! Her looks have only gotten better over the years.

[@dxmxo9427]

He's only 50 years old here but he looks so much older like 65

[@EastSide-qc5oy]

I can’t figure it out, did people maybe just look older back then?

[@mariantreber8055]

@@EastSide-qc5oy Smoking ages people. Ciggies.

[@Dewdaahman]

The nose knows, awarding those of prominent schnauzer..

[@stevejarrettnc]

Bette's Palace appearance has always been a sore spot for me. There was once a portrait of Judy Garland that hung at the Palace in the lobby, painted by Roberto Gari. Miss Midler wanted that portrait removed - since the audience would be remembering the many times that Judy made that theater her own. would compete with what she was doing there..... Talk about petty.

[@xavierdallenmusicuniverse6304]

TBH I miss 1970s Bette Midler, no politics, not Twitter.

[@1225baystreet]

2 awesome people

[@maverickwatchreviews]

You mean one...Johnny. Midler is gross.

[@edwardjames50]

He was a supporter of hers from the beginning of her career.

[@queenslander954]

She’s a real gal.

[@brianobrien7983]

I remember seeing this. Bette is the best! There is no Bette-er!

[@Dan-vt3nk]

Awesome!

[@donna7507]

OmG did not recognize her 😱

[@ronyalemerrill]

So dope. She's the bees knees.

[@CoffeeBeans72]

They had a great camaraderie. No wonder he wanted her to be his last guest.

[@darcyhodges309]

Wow she looked so different

[@karenrobinson3186]

I love how the camera person only showed her from the shoulders up to avoid showing that she very obviously had no bra on.

[@nowvoyagerNE]

bouncy bouncy. TMI.

[@goodmorningsundaymorning4533]

I seriously thought that was bill clinton in the thumbnail.

[@peck404]

She really looks young here ⭐⭐⭐

[@johnscott6960]

She looks Fabulous here! Bette is absolutely ageless! ❤️🌈

[@kathleenphillips2933]

Hmmm... noticing things I had not noticed then.

[@Incognito_90]

She is my favorite person in show business. Amazing. But she was acting strange in this clip lol. Wtf

[@mississippimud7046]

Good thing she has talent

[@coletanner5193]

Glad she went under the cosmetic knife...she was expecting wanting a kiss from Johnny but he was having none of it!