Julie Andrews sings Sigmund Romberg on THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR, 12 February 1960

Julie Andrews sings excerpts from the operettas of Sigmund Romberg on THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR, aired 12 February 1960 on NBC
THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR was a long-running NBC concert series that first originated as a radio broadcast in the 1940s before graduating to television in the late-50s where it aired semi-regularly right through till 1968. Essentially, an advertising tool for the United States’ largest telephone company, the popular broadcast show pitched for optimal middle-brow appeal with a light arts line-up of "various genres sung and performed by the top talent in their fields, including opera, country and Western, jazz, show tunes, classical and ballet, all tied together by a certain theme" (Hyatt, 180).
This particular episode from February 1960 is an exemplary case-in-point. Titled ‘Portraits in Music’, the hour-long special featured such disparate performances as Victoria de los Angeles and Brian Sullivan singing operatic highlights from Puccini, Nanette Fabray with a themed medley of Broadway show tunes about ’The Changing Ways of Women’ and poet Carl Sandburg reading select passages from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches to the orchestral accompaniment of an Aaron Copland symphony.
Among the extraordinary line-up of talent was our Julie who opened the programme with a medley of excerpts from the popular operettas of Sigmund Romberg. She was originally scheduled to perform this segment alongside theatre baritone and BELL TELEPHONE HOUR regular, Earl Wrightson. However, for some unknown reason, possibly illness, Wrightson had to pull out at the eleventh hour and Larry Douglas came in as a sub. Given his lack of rehearsal time and the fact that the show went out ‘live', Douglas is a bit uncomfortable but, to his credit, he managed to perform his parts of the extended medley without obvious issue.
THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR was one of several television shows that Julie did in late-1959 / early-1960. The young star was on theatrical hiatus at the time following the end of her marathon three-and-a half year run in MY FAIR LADY in August 1959 and awaiting the start of rehearsals for CAMELOT in late-1960. In the final months of 1959, Julie made a series of four TV specials in London for the BBC which were broadcast as THE JULIE ANDREWS SHOW. Then in late-January 1960, Julie flew to New York where she taped two TV specials almost back-to-back: THE FABULOUS FIFTIES for CBS and THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR for NBC (Andrews, 271).
One of the great joys of this particular appearance on THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR is the rare opportunity it affords to see and hear the young Julie Andrews perform the kind of musical material which was an integral part of her repertoire in the early years. Today, operetta is a largely marginalised musical form, often viewed as impossibly hackneyed, but it remained a hugely influential touchstone of popular culture right throughout the first half of the twentieth century (Traubner). Julie's young silvery soprano and upbeat comic performance style made her a perfect match for the sparkling levity of the genre and she frequently performed operetta arias during her years as a juvenile concert and radio star in the UK. Even as late as 1958, Julie’s status as a popular interpreter of operetta was front-and-centre when she was invited to perform the lead soprano role on RCA’s high-profile studio cast recording of Rudolph Friml’s ROSE-MARIE opposite famed opera singer, Giorgio Tozzi. That glorious LP and these rare TV excerpts from THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR are among the few remaining documents we have of Julie Andrews singing operetta. Listening to these recordings anew sixty years later, we can still marvel at Julie’s consummate prowess for this deceptively simple but musically challenging genre.
REFERENCES
Andrews, Julie. HOME: A MEMOIR OF MY EARLY YEARS. New York: Hyperion, 2008.
Hyatt, Wesley. EMMY AWARD WINNING NIGHTTIME TELEVISION SHOWS, 1948-2004. Jefferson: McFarland, 2006.
Traubner, Richard. OPERETTA: A THEATRICAL HISTORY. Garden City: Doubleday and Company, 1983.
Disclaimer: This is a fan preservation project; it was created for criticism and research, and is completely nonprofit; it falls under the fair use provision of the United States Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. section 107.

[@Josephiien]

She is so incredibly beautiful

[@susanp.collins7834]

She is now in her 80s and she is still beautiful.

[@workingwithwords7324]

Wonderful rare document! I have never seen this before. Julie Andrews' voice was great in 1960. It was softer than in precedent years. And the years that follow 1960 would prove her voice could even be better. Her musicals from the sixties show it as well as some TV shows and recordings. It is a pity than she recorded so little in the seventies. Thank you very much for sharing this treasure from the past so well preserved and that almost miraculously we all can see now more than sixty years after it was presented on television.

[@Shamsithaca]

She was super busy with her TV show, I assume original records exist gathering dust in some ABC tv studio. But its tragic she didnt record operetta numbers, or actually do the Merry Widow as she was supposed to do in 1980 and 1990, live on stage with Domingo.

[@Shamsithaca]

Mmmm what an incredible voice....those high As come out of her like a piece of cake even while dancing. Also thanks for the detailed history in your description, which I had missed earlier.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

“So, Julie, for this aria we’d like you to start singing at the top of a fireman’s pole, rapidly descend, hang there while two burly firemen swing you abruptly back and forth and from side to side, then you get thrown about a bit jerkily, you must join in the dancing with matching footwork, continue hitting those notes while being suspended upside down and do please put a lot of energy into it. At no point should you break eye contact with the camera. But don’t compromise on any diction or on the purity of your voice! And keep smiling whatever happens. Do you think you could manage that?” … “Goodness! I’ll try my best!”

[@karinberryman7970]

Never would've I thought Julie reminded me of Emma Thompson but she really does here, no need for comparison but Julie has everything! Delightful song, Lover Come Back To Me, how can we have forgotten these lovely pieces?

[@stottie92]

I've only ever heard Doris Day's version of "Lover Come Back" - so it was a complete surprise to hear it sung "seriously"!

[@Shamsithaca]

Parallel Julieverse we are counting on you to bring us her 1959 BBC show! I think she sang some operatic numbers, Tom Jones, Shadow Song among others. Interview with TH White? Its a priceless gem and must be out for all to enjoy for posterity!

[@Harringtonml54]

Apart from that exquisite voice, you can also see what a fine comedienne she is, especially during The Fireman's Bride number. Plays it absolutely straight, which makes the comedy so much sharper and more inspired. There was nothing she couldn't do. No wonder she became the biggest star in the whole world. Jack Warner was an incredible dink.

[@chrisnorton4382]

Not just Jack Warner. With hindsight it seems astonishing that Hollywood was so dissociated from the Broadway and television scene. She was not only multi-talented but at this time a seriously beautiful young woman. Apparently there had been a story put about in Tinseltown that she may not be photogenic enough for movies! It took persuasion from his music team and scriptwriters, who saw her on television, for Walt Disney to check her performance in Camelot and offer her first movie role. In turn, the director Robert Wise had to check her rushes in Poppins to convince himself she would be suitable for the SoM. You look at television appearances like this and wonder what could they possibly not see?

[@mckavitt]

Chris Norton She also could have played Shakespearean roles at this time... Cordelia, Juliet... ❤️🌹😘

[@allenjones3130]

Let's stop criticizing Jack Warner for not casting JA in the film version of MY FAIR LADY. Jack was, after all, a film-studio mogul, and he figured that the presence of Audrey Hepburn would help make the film the boxoffice hit that it eventually became.

[@mckavitt]

Best voice in the genre both sides of the Atlantic. And did anyone look so beautiful whilst singing?

[@Shamsithaca]

yeah she always looks so beautiful singing.

[@edwardamosbrandwein3583]

She's UNIQUE!

[@mjmacmtenor]

Speaking of operetta, in 1958 Julie Andrews recorded a complete Rose Marie (by Friml) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKO2gomqZsp2pqc

[@davidallen508]

Easily the most enchanting recording of Rose Marie.

[@workingwithwords7324]

Sorry, again. It was Larry Douglas, right?

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

She made operetta come alive probably outsurpassing the original performances by a long shot. Her fresh approach, acting abilities, freedom to express in a voice which seemed effortless, enabled the great Julie Andrews to capture the magic of this ultra-romantic form called "operetta."

[@Alandix]

Thanks for this, nobody sang like her, and music with great lyrics gave us the greatest sound of her voice. Thanks again~!

[@myriambegasse9580]

Thank you very much i am 17 and she is the absolute love of my life!!!!

[@Alandix]

I got to meet her 1987, gave her a poem I wrote about Vincent Van Gogh, talked to her, showed her pictures, met her conductor in St. Louis while she was there for a concert. She is much prettier in person, her voice is soft and elegant, she is nobody's fool, but more kind than anyone can expect. She sent me a pic, which is still on my wall. Best to you. @@myriambegasse9580

[@myriambegasse9580]

@@Alandix Best to you too!!! What a lucky one you are !!!! Do you know her home address?

[@Alandix]

you may be able to get a message to her via her agency, which you can find on IMDB.COM, if you take the pro status....it is a way to reach her, but her daughter and she have a theatre on Long Island to which you could write, noting "personal fan letter" on the envelope....good luck. Hope you get to look into those LAPIS BLUE EYES, they are deep~! @@myriambegasse9580

[@myriambegasse9580]

@@Alandix Thank you very much !!!!!

[@Danielevanssmith]

Thanks for sharing more treasures from the vaults!

[@alessandropelizzoli6613]

If you think of the version of Lover come back to me by Streisand you can see the completely different approach and how Andrews represented the ancient manner while Streisand was already in the real pop era...

[@susanp.collins7834]

There will NEVER be another singer like her! With her flawless English diction she represented an era of English class and culture will probably never come again.

[@carmengladyszarza820]

Cada vez que te miro .Me pareces ¡¡¡MAS ENCANTADORA!!!

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

I would give up my smartphone to hear, to see a touching, heartfelt broadcast like this. Get busy, Bell!

[@Lgevirtz]

Totally delightful.

[@Knappa22]

What remarkable footage. I have many recordings Julie made, i.e the ones now available on CD but these rare archives are an absolute treat. Thanks so much for uploading them for our unbridled delight!!

[@rickaverill4528]

This is wonderful. I’m a big fan of both Julie and Romberg.

[@workingwithwords7324]

Sorry, may I ask who is the singer that accompanies Julie in the fifth (final) song?

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Dear God in Heaven, what a GEM of a video!!!!! a true treat to see the beloved Julie Andrews in all her marvelous prime and rapturous glory! Thank you for posting this dream video, it's truly fantastic!

[@snookdock]

Love love love it!!!!!!

[@speedysteve9121]

I miss the Bell Telephone Hour. Heck I miss Bell Telephone the sound quality is way better than cell phones. It's amazing how easily humanity will settle for third rate crap.

[@douglassimpson5932]

8:22 Wonderfully funny and insight into the future with Maria and 'The Sound of Music' Julie Andrews an English rose that will never fade!

[@curlysue3919]

She's beautiful and loved her voice♥️♥️♥️

[@imsixftsix]

This is delightful, but I don't know any of this music.

[@00zarzu00]

hi, do you happen to have the rest of this show? i am looking for the nanette fabray part....

[@theparalleljulieverse1324]

Yes I do. I have uploaded the Nanette Fabray medley for you to DropBox which you can access from the link below (not sure if KZbin comments allows active links, otherwise you might need to cut and paste): www.dropbox.com/s/6kjw1u25esisr2k/Nanette%20Fabray%20BELL%20TELEPHONE%20HOUR%201960.mp4?dl=0

[@00zarzu00]

yay! awesome. thank you SO much :) i really appreciate it.

[@mckavitt]

The Parallel Julieverse I went looking for your Fabray link. No go. They say the page no longer exists. Do you know where it might’ve wandered off to? Thx!

[@muriloamorim2731]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3eUaHlufaZ0l80 this one includes the nanette fabrey part!

[@mariashouse5492]

Julie's voice is perfect, as usual.💜

[@G6JPG]

You say at 0:48 that it was originally filmed in colour; how come you only have monochrome? (I'm not complaining - far from it, I'm very grateful for it at all! Just curious as to why/how you managed to obtain it at all, but only ...)

[@thejerseyj5479]

Wow, talent and beauty. I've been in love with her for years and just days ago I found "The Parallel Julieverse". That must be where Heaven is !

[@G6JPG]

Oh, 9:19! (And those "firemen" were good dancers, too. [Yes, we know Julie is.])

[@matthough3590]

Just stumbled across this and am mesmerized by it. Julie, of course, is perfection. Among the most talented triple threat artists who ever lived. She isn't celebrated nearly enough, and this helps us remember why she should be.

[@allenjones3130]

The "Bell Telephone Hour"'s theme song, 'The Bell Waltz', is one of the loveliest TV themes ever written.

[@allenjones3130]

Great singing (and dancing) by J.A.!

[@Shamsithaca]

These were all sung live right?

[@theparalleljulieverse1324]

Yes, Shams, completely live. This upload is somewhat abridged as I have excised the parts of the medley where Larry Douglas sings solo. All the same, it is astonishing to consider how much effort it must have taken to rush from one number to the next, change costume, keep up with the choreography and, all the while, keep singing like an angel :-)

[@Shamsithaca]

@@theparalleljulieverse1324 Absolutely incredible. I was however surprised she didnt sing them in the original key, she's a coloratura it could have been a piece of cake for her. I guess she wanted to let the lyrics to take center stage as opposed to just the voice. Perhaps her 1959 BBC Show has her singing the more vocally challenging pieces such as the Shadow song, Tom Jones etc. I met her briefly in Sag Harbor, but before I could finish asking her about the elusive BBC show, she interrupted me to answer the first part of my comment on Poppins. I was a bit devastated.

[@albertopinto6854]

maravilhoso