Lawrence Tibbett - 1935 On the Road to Mandalay

[@jeannegore5112]

I just love this song. I love the line, "...and the dawn comes up like thunder..." and all other parts.

[@busybee1952]

My grandpa used to sing this song on road trips.To me, he sounded just like Lawrence Tibbett, but then I was only little. In fact, it's really all I remember about him so I'm glad this is posted.

[@rosemarymorris245]

such a beautiful voice the best............... he was before my time but my dad sung this along with sweet white dove brings back memories.my dad had a baritone voice how I miss those days...cannot forget Nelson eddy his voice also nice

[@casmeis]

Great to hear this again, almost one of Tibbett's "signature" pieces. We used ti listen to him regularly on his weekly radio program. He was much admired for his diction, as well as for his singing. Would love to hear him once again singing the old ballad "Edward."

[@MrsMorse]

I learned about Tibbett from my mom and grandmom. They adored him, and I do too. No baritone to equal him as far as I'm concerned. He was a fine actor too. Too bad he's all but forgotten. Thank you for remembering him.

[@varadero1839]

Honored to hear from you! Wish I had more knowledge of this brilliant performer, but I've only seen 2-3 of his performances. Actually, merely seeing this clip is enough to make one a believer! I'm so glad and thrilled to hear from you, and thanks so much for your comment!

[@bill2578]

This outstanding rendition brings to mind a lesson we were all taught as youngsters , and that was the Piano should follow the singer, it gave a better result this is what I heard here

[@pronkerpronker6708]

Love this post thanks, it's a definitive version of the poem/song with the yearning intact as the singer plumbs his memories ... :) and the voice of Tibbett does it proud.

[@varadero1839]

Glad you enjoyed it! He had such an amazing voice; we're lucky to have known him! Thanks again! varadero

[@varadero1839]

You're very welcome! Mr. Tibbett was truly amazing; we're fortunate to have known him.

[@varadero1839]

@baghend Thanks so much for your notice! He really had a magical voice. A dear friend, now gone, once performed this at a party. He had an amazing voice and also only had a piano backup. It was a memorable evening! Great to hear from you, and again I'm delighted that you enjoyed this as you did! Best regards.

[@lastofdmelocchians]

Definitely MY favorite Baritone of all time!!! Who can come close 2 him? No 1:)

[@johnhoie1]

I streamed this movie a few weeks ago. Lots of fun, though the ending was rather abrupt.

[@snakemansnakes1]

Thank you for this posting. This man has such a commanding presence and wonderful voice. Ashamed to say I never heard of him before now.

[@varadero1839]

Thank you! Until I saw this really obscure film I'd never known of him either! There's so much more of him on YT! I only have one other, and he only sings at the end. Talk about holding a note! Hope you'll watch! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGKrlXZoa85kqtk Best regards, varadero

[@johnhoie1]

He was a big star in the 1930s, and wrote a couple books about himself. Going on memory here, but I think the books were named Charming Rogue and Lawrence Tibbett: Singing Actor. He was the first in a series of great American baritones, followed in order by Leonard Warren, Robert Merrill and Sherill Milnes. Each was arguably the best baritone in the world in his time.

[@varadero1839]

Indeed he did! I suspect music, songs and compositions were just amusing conquests for Mr. Tibbett! There were so few he couldn't make his own! Grateful for your message, and Thanks!

[@simonf8902]

Makes me feel good in 2024. ❤

[@FRAGIORGIO1]

This was actually the year before Kipling died ! Bravo, Mr. Tibbett !

[@varadero1839]

Well written kind Sir! Honored to hear back from you once more. I, like the former soldier, snap to attention at your salute! Many thanks!

[@varadero1839]

Glad to hear from you, and enjoyed knowing he was treasured by your family! As for remembering him, once heard, he's not easily forgotten. His talent should have been legendary! Thanks again!

[@johnhoie1]

He was legendary.

[@varadero1839]

What a fascinating message! It covers so many eras which all make me feel that you're extremely well-versed, and seriously well-traveled! I'm very grateful to hear from you, and honored that you took the time to write! Why not bellow out your own version and upload it here to YT? Again, thanks so much!

[@petergraham8681]

Certainly the most spirited version of this great song that I have yet to see and hear. Why do few or any sing this anymore.?

[@varadero1839]

Many thanks Mr. Graham! You're very kind to have written! Best wishes, varadero

[@keith.pierson4243]

Where the flying fishes fly. And old flotilla lie. Rhyming with Mandalay. How I wish I could have seen this artist in person. Such a powerful voice and such presence.

[@varadero1839]

+Keith. Pierson Thanks so much for your comments! Mr. LT was an amazing performer, and I'd have paid any $$ to hear him sing live! Best wishes! varadero

[@keith.pierson4243]

Did you ever see this movie "Metropolitan"?

[@VLind-uk6mb]

Great voice, but I find his vowel sounds distinctly off-putting.

[@varadero1839]

My sincere apologies for the delay in my response! Please accept. Naturally, you're right on both counts. Mr. Tibbett seemed to get lost in the time of Nelson Eddy, and others. His voice was just superb! I only wish there was much more on film like this where he not only acted, but sang his heart out! Thanks so much for your kind comment!

[@baghend]

Thanks. I've spent a lot of time in India- two of my kids are born there- though I'm Irish/French heritage by birth- & I was in a small town- Vellalore- in Tamil Nadu, in 1991, when a very old gentleman, neatly dressed with a tie, came up to me, (I'm having tea) snapped to attention, saluted, and was still wearing his WW 2 campaign medals from the NW Frontier and Burma, & he said exactly that to me- that the worse thing the British did to them was to leave. I sing this song when kayaking

[@haxisart]

This song is not about India , It's for Myanmar

[@EC-mw7ty]

Great to hear the POV from Tamil Nadu. I have no personal experience in the area but always good to hear the varied perspectives from ones actually living there. Thank you!

[@EC-mw7ty]

@@haxisart Yes - This is true. But I think the comment was possibly less about exact geography and more about the area and the empire. This song was popular all over the world from its publication at the turn of the 20th century and during both world wars. Sometimes a song is a song in and of itself. Songs about the American Cowboy were global favorites for decades. Their popularity was more about a spirit and an idea rather than anything to do with Streets of Laredo or Roses in San Antonio.

[@annodomini7887]

Saw this in the old Tampa theatre in 96’. What a damn good time!!!

[@varadero1839]

I agree ANNO DOMINI! Though rarely shown these days, this indeed was a fine film! Thanks for writing!

[@annodomini7887]

THANKS!!! I heard a kid the other day saying how much he hates black and white films, all I could think about was films like this, or the Marx brothers etc. etc. what a waist of life to never see a film when they were made by actual artists.

[@baghend]

Thanks- not well traveled, (but well read) but spent a lot of time in India with an NGO over many visits & two of my children are born there. I did have a very old gentleman come up to me once- he was a former soldier, pre- Independence, had fought in WW2 in Burma against the Japanese, & had seen duty in the NW Frontier- he actually snapped to attention (wearing his medals still!) saluted & did say to me he thought the worse thing the "English" did to India was to leave Incredible country.

[@mrm4xim4m]

very well put, and very true indeed. WELL SAID!

[@arrmamtun318]

People loves the song " Road to Mandalay" but still don't know Myanmar (used to be Burma), sad!😢

[@gurt49]

wow, what a voice !!

[@Josquinquin]

Just brilliant!!!

[@Agorante]

You can see the whole film if you have NetFlix. It's available on Watch Instantly - no need to send away for a DVD.

[@simonf8902]

What movie ??

[@varadero1839]

Thanks so much for your notice, and correction. I was not aware of this, and am always grateful to know of possible errors that I may have made! I Thank You!

[@bodiloto]

Fenomeno . ❤

[@varadero1839]

@hackwhiteful This is from "Metropolitan," the year 1935. It starred Mr. Tibbett, Virginia Bruce, Alice Brady and Cesar Romero. It was very well received, and apparently the 1st production by Daryl F. Zanuck for Twentieth Century Fox. It opened at Radio City Music Hall!

[@mariopiernes2773]

Glorious American Baritone!

[@pavarotti744]

wonderful

[@varadero1839]

Thanks for your message! He, indeed, was a wonderful performer. Thanks for writing! varadero

[@pavarotti744]

Thank you for kindly sharing this gem from a unique singer and performer.

[@simonf8902]

This is brilliant

[@bluewaltz4279]

If I could give a complete recital singing like that and then drop dead, I'd die happy! Roll Tide!!

[@varadero1839]

@zag001a Though not a "matinee idol type," Mr. Tibbett had a sensational voice. I'm grateful to hear from you, and also that you enjoyed this clip. He was a winner!

[@Ramon34able]

Unsurpassable!

[@decotodd]

Keep an eye on Fox Movie Channel listings -- it shows up regularly there. TCM doesn't have rights to Fox films without specific license to individual titles.

[@varadero1839]

Thank you so much for your update. This is, and should be an urgent notice to those not familiar with not only the name change, but what's taking place in the "new" Burma; Myanmar! I'm not able to direct people to what's taking place in this region. Please see for yourself, via the internet, those changes that have taken place!

[@jaqatlantic]

The film "Metropolitan" available for streaming on Netflix is NOT the film from which this clip came.

[@carmelbrain7399]

Wow

[@aldiboronti]

Well said, Bill!

[@StephenRBeet]

What wonderful Victorian diction and pronunciation. A lost world

[@dtkane]

Magnificent! Strangely enough, the "Metropolitan" in the film is in Philadelphia. I wish singers would learn to roll their rrrrs like this again.

[@varadero1839]

@lastofdmelocchians Many Thanks! Originally from Shakespeare, I prefer the Humphrey Bogart line from "The Maltese Falcon." There he describes a supposed treasure, but here it holds true for Mr. Tibbett: "The Stuff that dreams are made of!"

[@fordlandau]

Wow love the ManderLAY pronunciation

[@hackwhiteful]

@varadero1839 Can you tell me what movie this video comes from? I would like to see the movie. This was a wonderful clip. My piano teacher made all of her students memorize this piece because it was the favorite song of her beau who died in WWI.

[@NavyChaps1]

This song was actually written by Oley Speaks and not by Kipling. Speaks based this song on Kiplings writings however.

[@Paulodafigaro1]

Mandalay is a beatiful city in Burma, now Myamar...

[@alfredbernasek6761]

EIN GIGANT

[@hackwhiteful]

@varadero1839 Can you tell me what movie this clip came from. I would like to see the movie.

[@34Packardphaeton]

For some of us, this song reminds us of Sinatra's recording.

[@patricknorthrup7708]

What movie is this from? I sang this song for my grandfather and he mentioned a movie that had “The Road to Mandalay” in it. I sang the lyrics to a different tune (10,000 miles away).

[@varadero1839]

Hi Mr. Northrup, This is from a movie called "Metropolitan," from 1935. Mr Tibbett was listed as the star of the film; the female lead was Virginia Bruce. Cesar Romero had a small role also. Your grandfather was undoubtedly right, but I'd be interested to know what melody you used when you sang. Great to hear from you, and hope you'll reply if you have time! varadero

[@hackwhiteful]

Can anyone tell me what movie this clip came from. I would like to watch the movie.

[@user-wu6xl4wq5q]

What's the first song Mr Tibbett sings?

[@simonf8902]

What movie is this scene from ?

[@varadero1839]

@@simonf8902 this is a clip from “Metropolitan,” 20th Century Fox first film.

[@justcomments1239]

I really like this version, shame some verses were skipped.

[@hashatz]

Tibbett is the best baritone among American baritones - bar none!

[@fordlandau]

What movie is this from ?

[@varadero1839]

It's from "Metropolitan," the movie. It's from 1935.

[@fordlandau]

varadero1839 thank you !!

[@operalament]

you think there is a baritone today who would attempt this or the glory road in performance. i dont.

[@mrm4xim4m]

wow yeah imagine that :O well we still have him at least :)

[@raymilan5307]

Can't belive the BBC have banned this song as racist in 2020

[@simonf8902]

Manderlay

[@baghend]

Wonderful. As Kipling wrote it. back in the day when there was an Empire worthy of the name. And the worst thing the Brits ever did to those colonies-esp. in Africa- was to leave. It may have been government with Enfields and bayonets to back it up, but most of those people were far better off under the British Empire than their own corrupt and violent tribal fanatics. And I'm not a Brit. Thanks for this- wonderfully done- one of my favourites, that I bellow out many times- -Bill Canada

[@o.p.9413]

Jesus what a downright evil and frankly idiotic comment

[@mefw]

sings MandaLie

[@bryanelphick]

Evoque