Ethel Merman, Madlyn Rhue--Rare 1975 TV Appearance, "Some People/People"

[@revacoop]

I saw her in Gypsy when I was 13 years old, will never forget that night. I walked out of the theater in shock. Last saw her in 1979 in concert, another unforgettable night-people stood after every song!

[@TJ1920]

When most people think of Broadway the first name that comes to mind is Ethel Merman There will never be a anyone else like Ethel Merman the broadway legend

[@hairyscotman]

WHAT a performer....lovely lady!!!

[@frederickcombs8661]

I wish they all were still with us.

[@jaykaplan2862]

This is wonderful! The great Merman!

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

Ethel... is Always Welcome. 🌟

[@kennboisinger769]

Alan! Thank you so much. That’s thrilling to see after all these years. I actually met Miss Merman at that Project Hope gala, and I went to see her with Gene Shalit in Hershey, PA!

[@MovieJon]

There was a commercial several years back that featured "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better" and whenever it was on at work, people would gripe about her voice. But it was SO unique and probably rather riveting "live and person" in her younger years. Musical styles changed a lot over time and occasionally (often?) she struggled to adapt. For example, her "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" is just UGGHHH...! Even if she did mean every word as she sang it. But, come on... she was HYSTERICAL in "Airplane!," which was the way one whole generation was introduced to her (along with TV reruns of "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.")

[@ericluriergo8251]

I LOVE “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad World.” My parents would go to parties and this movie 🎥 was ALWAYS on the Late, Late Picture on L.A.s local station (i.e. Jerry Dunphy).

[@Dory8]

Madlyn Rhue is charming.

[@rick0e295]

There's No Business Like Show Business and Ethel WAS Show Business! 🏆 QUEEN 👸 of Broadway 🌟 and a few films! RIP Ethel. 🕊 🕊

[@johnl1685]

Wow. That was great.

[@Dbeldin]

one of a kind.....

[@mrconducter]

Cole Porter said, “I’d rather write songs for Ethel Merman than anyone else in the world.” Sondheim told me he thought she was the best Rose and had been surprised by her fine acting talent in the role--he also said he wrote the lyrics using her particular vernacular. Irving Berlin: [on writing songs for Ethel Merman] "I guess it's like a dress designer getting that extra kick when when he dreams up a gown for a beautiful woman with a perfect figure. You give her a bad song and she will make it sound good. You give her a good song and she will make it sound great." A picture of Gershwin hung in Merman's living room, inscribed, ''A lucky composer is he who has you singing his songs.''

[@janetones6221]

Classy lady! God Bless America and Ms Ethel Merman!💜🌹💜

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

Huh?

[@SteveStalzle]

Alan, You have known so many wonderful people, I am assuming that you also knew Ethel. What a great video.

[@95KIPPIE]

I’ve had 13 root canals that all ended up with porcelain crowns! The time I have spent in a dentist chair is absolutely out of this world unbelievable! Don’t mess with the Merm!!!

[@elizabethdaniellesimaviggi3289]

ETHEL...BRAVA🌹💋❌⭕❤️‼️👏🥲🖌️🎨🏳️‍🌈🇺🇸☮️🐾🐩🐩🐾🦋💜🖤🤍🤎🧡💛💙💚❤️👁️👁️🙏REST DESERVEDLY IN HEAVEN AND PARADISE FOREVER ‼️

[@aeichler]

She used to say she had "the best gams in the business."

[@micdom43]

In good voice spirits very entertaining

[@GodsFavoriteBassPlyr]

They just DO NOT make them like that anymore.

[@micdom43]

Throughly entertaining as she truly was and not all that prtetensecious

[@joebeeler990]

I miss you honey.

[@patrickhicks9880]

The movies were too small for talent this big

[@windstorm1000]

Carson is a terrible interviewer. Hes got this legend and instead of asking her about her fantastic career he talks about airplane shades and airplane music.

[@edshoaff3055]

In gossip columnist Liz Smith’s autobiography she wrote that when she was just starting out in NYC she was invited to lunch and she brought along a male friend who was a huge Ethel Merman fan. When Ethel arrived the friend gushed over her and Ethel said,”Who is this (insert gay slur here).” Which was ironic because Ethel had the reputation as being the biggest lesbian on Broadway. I guess homophobia was so accepted in those days that even gay people could be homophobes.

[@Wanamaker1946]

She wasn’t afraid of gays. Phobia means afraid. She simple didn’t like being put upon by one of her friends who thought it would be sweet to bring this total stranger to a party that was supposed to be off limits to the fans. People don’t have to like us. I certainly don’t look for approval or likes from anyone, and nor should you. Gays shouldn’t try to ever look for peoples approval, or so-called respect, because no one really cares. We aren’t the center of the universe as we like to think of ourselves. Today it seems, we force people to like us. That’s the worst of all. I don’t want to be liked for my gayness, I wish to be respected for being David, and so should you Ed.

[@lasuvidaboy]

I wonder what she thought of Liz Smith who was a lesbian.

[@prairiedoggy1]

Many lesbians don’t like gay men….

[@michaelcanestraro2849]

Merman wasnt a lesbian.

[@gregorypalmer5403]

The people who seem to be interested in who is homosexual... tend to be homosexuals. For the vast majority of the rest of us, it's classic TMI, Too Much Information ! And by the way if this old Queen of Broadway was a Queen behind closed doors, I would be pretty surprised, because her six ? marriages, to some definite Alpha Male guys like Bob Six ( Continental Airlines) , and Ernie Borgnine, didn't last long but they did happen. It's not like she bearded for Gene Raymond or Edward Everrtt Horton or something. She basically, likeable old ham that she was, according to many and a devout Episcopalian, St. Bart's Church, was a stereotype self-absorbed " theater person". Just look at the autopilot banality of her " interview" with the old Master of Feigned Interest on this program. By the way who was " Madeline Rughe"? Same as " Madeleine Leroux", of the La Mama theater troupe who got three minutes in Hollywood in the semi-porn " Cry Uncle", early John Avildsen pre-Rocky " starring" Allen Garfield and " David Kirk" ?

[@DavidAsset78]

I've never understood the attraction of Ethel Merman. Her voice is ghastly with an ear-piercing vibrato and horrendous wobble. Even Jules Styne commented along the way that Merman couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Singularly devoid of talent!

[@clarissamoll666]

Absolutely agree

[@fkd1963]

You two can go home. Are you international stars?

[@TheTerryE]

Jule Styne (not Jules) had only praise for Ms. Merman throughout his entire life. He just loved the woman. You sound jealous. She was a legend.

[@gwenniegirl50]

When I read old reviews What strikes me is that she is described as a powerful singer. I have yet to see where she is described as a melodic singer. That being said, I will agree she was powerful with her voice. That really counted for something when she started out; today not so much because of the miking systems etc. But melodic she’s not. Of course, that’s my opinion and I know I’m not a star or celebrity but I am entitled to my opinion.

[@TheTerryE]

@@gwenniegirl50 What in heaven's name do you mean by "melodic" singer? She has perfect rhythm and pitch and enunciates lyrics perfectly. What more do you want?

[@FrankIsAlwaysRight]

Many people don’t realize that Ethel Merman died from severe flatulence. Apparently the night she passed, she cut a fart that lasted well over an hour. The stench was so bad they ultimately had to tear down the house. Poor lady.

[@charliechilders6630]

Shame on you!🙄 That was funny, 😆but shame on you!!!🙄

[@saphia7]

I never could stand her voice....

[@Jasper7182009]

…. I guess Miss Merman is not for Some People. But she is one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. And when you’re on a Broadway stage, those in the balcony would like to hear the song just as much as those in the front rows. I adore Ethel Merman. 🥰

[@jonldn]

So you were forced to watch?

[@cards0486]

When I was a teenager (60s) and just saw her on TV I didn’t either. But when I got more involved in Broadway and saw her earlier movies I began to really like her. It’s an acquired taste, I admit. But she was a Broadway legend.

[@michaelcanestraro2849]

She said the same about you. And how many songs did Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc. Write for you?

[@jonldn]

@@michaelcanestraro2849 lol. Sad thing is that many probably won’t have a clue who you are on about! The genius’s that they were