Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing

[@pineemanuelson5936]

Such class & such great ladies. After all these years, still so wonderful to see.

[@voceval1]

Ethel Merman looks extra lovely and elegant here. And absolutely love her extraordinary voice.

[@joemanni4412]

This song is dedicated to everyone who lost a loved one. God bless. "I'm calling out your name tonight" by Richie Levoikzbin.info/www/bejne/gITFeHqfiMpmiZo

[@roffen969]

I want her shoes

[@retroguy9494]

The sad thing is, MOST women dressed elegantly back then. Unlike today where its stretch pants, tee and sweat shirts, sneakers and hair like rats nests! Makeup is becoming a thing of the past TOO it seems. My mother and aunts wouldn't leave the house without their makeup!

[@wotan10950]

@@retroguy9494 That’s true! My mother used to be disgusted by woman who wore pants and high heels. She said they looked cheap. And she always wore gloves when she went into New York City.

[@retroguy9494]

@@wotan10950 My mother wore gloves back in the '60's as well. Although she would wear dress slacks when appropriate just as Lucy does here, my grandmother never wore pants/slacks in her life. Always a dress. Even at home.

[@nysavvy9241]

Lucy and Ethel Merman were lifelong friends. It was a treat for Lucy to have her on the show.

[@scotnick59]

Vivian was Merman's understudy for "Anything Goes" in 1934

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I loved Lucille Ball mouthing Ethel Merman - her movements were perfect and felt just like Ethel Merman's way of singing. Perfect - could watch this skit over and over - Great!!!

[@corfan99]

That Merman voice! [ 1:53 ] As Irving Berlin said, "You'd better not write a bad lyric for Merman because people will hear it in the second balcony."

[@charlessoutherton8946]

more like the tenth balcony ahaha

[@ellen6638]

​@@charlessoutherton8946 probably the theater across the street

[@LJ-ht4zs]

I went to a Catholic school and when Gypsy was on Broadway my parents, sister and I went to see it. Ethel Merman came in and I still remember how I had never heard anything like her (age 13) The play was incredible and Ethel was amazing. Parents said don't mention it in school that you went to see Gypsy. (The nuns would not have approved - I laugh to this day about that)

[@larss337]

LOL 😆 my Irish friends tell me nuns don't approve of very much

[@Nonduality]

We used to worry about nuns. Now we worry about Florida.

[@95KIPPIE]

That’s funny! Could you see the nuns faces?

[@LadyCaroline123]

@@larss337Gypsy was about a young girl becoming a stripper so of course they would not approve. Present time, not many nuns left but millions of abortions, single moms, trans kids, gey ppl out the kazoo, etc. We need religion, we need nuns.

[@enbym1793]

When I was 11, I saw the revival of Gypsy starring Bernadette Peters. I also went to a Catholic school, but my parents didn’t warn me not to mention it in school, and I did get reprimanded for it!

[@Arthur5260]

The comedic timing here is so great. Ethel Merman had a voice like no other.

[@Starswake]

Wow, she gave me chills, amazing voice.

[@retroguy9494]

She always sounded kind of like a ships foghorn to ME!

[@theravyshow2570]

​@@retroguy9494Me too!

[@retroguy9494]

@@theravyshow2570 You too what? You agree with me? Or you sing like a foghorn? 🤔😂

[@ess2586]

I was never attracted to "show music', but when Ethel Merman turned up the music and belted out that solo, I literally got goosebumps...no matter the genre, talent always stands out.

[@lisahinton9682]

ess2586, maybe explore some more show music. I think you'd surprise yourself. There are some incredible songs out there. More goosebumps coming your way.

[@stephaniestanley8041]

Me too. The Merm.

[@michelinelalonde2217]

You need to discover Judy garland.

[@kevinyoung42]

Ethel and Judy were raised in the vaudeville tradition. Before microphones were used on stages, singers had to "belt it out" in order to reach the audience in the back row.

[@retroguy9494]

Actually she turned DOWN the music so her actual voice could be heard over her recorded one. But in the beginning, its obvious that Lucy had an orchestra on set that day because its clear it takes over for the recording at 1:28.

[@alanmorris7669]

Three unforgettable stars gone forever, but never forgotten.

[@barryjacobs8524]

Great entertainers the likes we will never see again. They could dance, sing, play the piano. Truely missed. They entertained us for many years. God bless you all.

[@anyhowe2702]

The Great, great Ethal Merman, a true entertainer, what a voice, she looked Amazing

[@the_jacobian99]

I love how she can be louder than herself!

[@brucemarmy8500]

It's the miracle of 3-D projection. Ethel was projection +1/2.

[@the_jacobian99]

Bruce Marmy I know it’s fantastic.

[@brucemarmy8500]

@@the_jacobian99 Truly a one-of-a-kind powerhouse voice. I belt out Roses regular, 'round the house, for exercise (Arms swinging, big sound (off key)). Then I need a rest

[@stevers62]

Well, she was very competitive. She was probably thinking "I'll show that record!"

[@rosemorris7912]

Judy Garland used to do the same thing. When she was making a movie, she would record the soundtrack for playback during filming. She would have the soundman crank up the recording as loud as he could, then she would actually sing rather than just lip sync. And she would be louder than the recording.

[@Ontario100]

WOW! For about 30 seconds, we heard what it would be like to have two Mermans singing at once. Just WOW!! All three of these ladies define talent. Thanks for posting this!

[@hijodelaisla275]

Mermen, as it were.

[@kiranjitKaur61]

There is a video on KZbin of Ethel Merman Ji singing There's No Business Like Show Business at different times all overlapping together in a lovely Tribute type little video of it.

[@lliamjurdom9505]

GOOD OLD LUCY ETHEL & VIV !!!! WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE !!!!!

[@machovoce6826]

A very special moment in TV history. Vivian Vance was once an understudy for the great Merman.

[@rays7437]

"That's what I was trying to tell ya." I love the way she said that

[@hcombs0104]

Very deadpan!

[@lindafurr2404]

Vivian Vance was a beautiful woman. She was the most talented friend and partner-in- crime!

[@joemanni4412]

This song is dedicated to everyone who lost a loved one. God bless. "I'm calling out your name tonight" by Richie Levoikzbin.info/www/bejne/gITFeHqfiMpmiZo

[@norahfarber1076]

I don't think that Vance ever got the respect and kudos that she deserved. She was brilliant.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@norahfarber1076 I don't get the comments I don't think she was beautiful or brilliant.

[@billhosko7723]

@@LJ-ht4zs of course not.... u r neither yerself...

[@johndalton3180]

The replacements they tried were ok (Mary Jane Croft, Ann Southern, and a few others) were ok, but no one knew how to play with Lucy like Viv did. Lucy should've done all she could to keep her. It was never the same after Viv left.

[@catchthisbuck]

YES MA'AM!!!! That powerhouse broadway voice delivered as always!!!!!

[@asa1973100]

We will never see great people like this again...they lived in a world gone by. Had hard lives and brilliant lives. So missed!

[@Cherryspecial7]

WOW! Finally, someone louder than Lucy! I loved the three of them. Timing is the key in this piece. 💖💖💖

[@gregoryphillips3969]

One of the greatest comedic scenes in history.

[@solangedesantis5515]

It's a wonder the set didn't implode when the Merm really stepped on the gas.

[@donaldsimmonsjr]

Lucille Ball is my favorite actress of all time. That's the power of a timeless icon like Ethel Merman. I've always known she was a singer and actress, but I'd never even heard her sing until this episode of "The Lucy Show"! When Ethel lowered the volume on the record player and started to sing, chills went up my spine! And I'm 26 years old!

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Also I loved Lucy's movements paying "The Term"and mouthing the words.

[@ayokay123]

Now go check out Dame Shirley Bassey. Start with a good listen to "Goldfinger". :)

[@gregoryphillips3969]

One of the greatest comic bits ever. All involved were simply fantastic.

[@gailthomas2631]

Three great ladies. No ego, just fun.

[@tessdurberville711]

No egos? Well, not Miss Vance.

[@LJ-ht4zs]

@@tessdurberville711 On I Love Lucy - the cast I always call The Fabulous Four. However Lucille Ball was the linch pin

[@akrenwinkle]

Lucille and Ethel, no ego? I assume now you're 16 years old.

[@barbaraunderwood1762]

Boy was Lucy surprised. Vivian had the last word. 😂😂😂😂

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Lucy was not only the star of The Lucy Show she was a producer too. She okay the script, acting etc.

[@MicheleHuffman-d8c]

Ethel Merman was such a classy lady. Loved to listen to her sing in that big booming voice. Greats like her are hard to come by.

[@kllwc7772]

EM looks so elegant and classy 🖤🤍🖤

[@chocolatesouljah]

Agreed!

[@kllwc7772]

@ 🥂🫡🤩⚡️💫

[@mckuhn1000]

Beautiful and classy Ethel Merman!! One of the greats!!

[@mckuhn1000]

WOW What a powerful voice!!!!!!

[@kade82]

As funny as Lucille Ball was, the humor was multiplied exponentially for me by the reaction/response of Vivian Vance. No one could pull off the "I told you so" moment as well as Miss Vance demonstrated in this clip.

[@dmnemaine]

Her "Okay, you don't want to listen to me, fine", moment was wonderful too.

[@markcadieux3445]

Moment of irony; on I love Lucy, Vivians name was Ethel.

[@dmnemaine]

@@markcadieux3445 I think naming her "Ethel" was a part of the whole making the character older than Lucy thing. On "The Lucy Show", Lucy and Viv were supposed to be about the same age.

[@markcadieux3445]

I know. Lucy didn't want Viv to be more attractive than her.

[@dmnemaine]

@@markcadieux3445 There's a legend that Lucy would constantly get on the makeup department if she thought Vivian was looking too "pretty".

[@DM-mt7km]

Very funny. And very generous of Lucy to give Vivian the best lines.

[@JohnMichaelGunner]

That was common practice for Lucy. She did similar w Barbara Eden in the "I Love Lucy" Country Club Dance in CT episode....best clothes & lines, too.

[@Arkelk2010]

Merman's expressions are wonderful.

[@MrCJ-qz9dl]

@1:59...Lucy's stunned reaction is priceless!

[@jaynehaught9715]

Ethel Merman......fantastic ...a true star......❤️

[@lesaber251]

I miss real singing like this. Such talent is missing nowadays.

[@jeremynichols8460]

Oh please

[@lovethefields]

Except for Tyla

[@mga2899]

Three grand ladies in one clip!

[@saphiquefemme]

These legends are extraordinary and a class act 🥂

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Lucille Ball and Ethel Merman were legends - Vivian Vance - she played her part well (as did Wm Frawley) in I Love Lucy. He by the way after that show played in My Three Sons for several years. Vivian Vance, did not hear much about her after she left The Lucy Show after 3 seasons. On an interview with Dinah Shore, Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance traded funny stories - however, when asked by one of the guests what Vance was doing - she was doing commercials for a coffee company. (her words)

[@existential]

Any skit with Ethel singing is priceless.

[@renarga6886]

Any skit with Lucy is priceless. Imagine the two together!

[@brucemarmy8500]

Damn, Lucy is an excellent teacher!

[@morespywareforyou2262]

"All you have to do is sing loud and sound nasal!" And then she demonstrates! It is just so funny and Ethel's reaction is exquisite! I was four when this was broadcast but I do remember seeing 'The Lucy Show' on my grandparents' 405-line black and white TV.

[@sheliasteinbrecher4876]

Absolutely raw talent!! Amazing!!

[@scotnick59]

ironically, In real life, Vivian was actually Ethel's understudy for 1934's ANYTHING GOES and legend says she went on for Merman around 2 or 3 times during it's huge run of an impressive 420 performances.

[@thefonzkiss]

Coincidentally not ironically.

[@jdstep97]

I love Vivian's hair!!

[@marilyntaylor2892]

Decades later, and all three still pull it off incredibly well; I'm still laughing.

[@ramiusz7336]

Love Ethel Merman. First thing I saw her in, oddly enough, was a cameo on Airplane. I was a just a kid and I was like, "who was that lady?".

[@majkus]

Ethel Merman obviously was not a performer who took herself too seriously; and the world is just a little happier because of that.

[@stormfield9431]

@@majkus She was so convincing as a top-notch B in Mad Mad World, I disliked her as a child... Til I matured enough to really appreciate talent

[@kev7161]

"What's his problem?" " . . . thinks he's Ethel Merman." (singing) "You'll be swell! You'll be great! Gonna have the whole world . . . everything's coming up rooosssess. " "War is hell."

[@davidmorley1606]

@@kev7161 even Mel Brooks couldn’t top that.

[@fujifrontier]

Me too!!! 😂 YOU'LLLLLLL BE SWELLLL YOU'LL BE GREAT

[@beachem1]

This is classic!!!! Thanks for sharing this 👍🏻

[@tommyvermiglio1649]

R.I.P Ethel Merman January 16th 1908 February 15th 1984

[@richardmayora6974]

I had a very sad 25th birthday....February 15, 1984.

[@joryadamson7854]

RIP Vivien Vance ,July 26, 1909- August 17, 1979 and Lucille Ball August 6, 1911- April 26, 1989

[@charlessoutherton8946]

@@joryadamson7854 funny how they were born all around the same time and died around the same time and all had extraordinary film/TV careers

[@joemanni4412]

This song is dedicated to everyone who lost a loved one. God bless. "I'm calling out your name tonight" by Richie Levoikzbin.info/www/bejne/gITFeHqfiMpmiZo

[@kat35lulu88]

Three absolutely beautiful talented women.....

[@genesisgabrielp.baculbas9133]

MY GOODNESS, WHAT A LEGEND! ETHEL MERMAN'S VOICE COULD REALLY FILL THE WHOLE THEATER! I LOVE AND ADMIRE HER! HAHAHAHAHA!

[@renarga6886]

Lucille Ball is visibly touched by the situation - she was sharing the screen with her idol!

[@laurenc5306]

This is the first time I've heard of Ethel Merman. I'm sad I didn't know about her before, she had a beautiful voice!

[@norahfarber1076]

Watch the movie Gypsy with Natalie Wood and Ethel Merman. A classic.

[@retroguy9494]

I remember when she was alive and still performing!

[@joannathesinger770]

@@norahfarber1076 Uhhhhh...Rosalind Russell played the mother in the film version of Gypsy, not Merman. Natalie Wood and Ann Jillian played the daughters.

[@wbcjr17106]

kzbin.info?search_query=klea+blackhurst+Everything+The+Traffic+Will+Allow

[@wbcjr17106]

I have posted a link to Kleah Blackhurst, a wonderful cabaret and stage performer who was/is just NUTS about Ethel Merman and who performed an act and recorded an album featuring stories and songs strictly from her broadway career. I think you'll like it if you take the time. Of course, KZbin itself has kinescopes and videos of her TV appearances from the 1950s. You're in for a treat.

[@stevers62]

Rumor has it, that after Ethel Merman died, they still had to shoot her voice. Love her!

[@pattysherwood7091]

It took a minute for me to get that.😊

[@retroguy9494]

BWAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! 🤣😂

[@mediterraneanworld]

she was actually on her way to sing at some event when she had the stroke!

[@retroguy9494]

@@mediterraneanworld I don't know where you got your info from dude but it isn't true. She was planning on traveling to Hollywood to attend and appear at the Oscars but she collapsed in her apartment in New York City. The doctors THOUGHT she had a stroke but it was really a brain tumor. They tried to operate but once they got in there, they discovered the tumor was inoperable and like less than a year later she died of brain cancer.

[@aquablue1252]

Wow Ethel merman had an amazing voice!

[@michaelverbakel7632]

Ethel Merman was truly a living legend on Broadway.

[@igotbandaids]

Lucy the joke was always on her and we still are loving and laughing.

[@daisyblizzard]

Three talented, beautiful women

[@JPLEYONKO4]

Three legends in one room.

[@leemorren5075]

Vivian’s stammering at about .55 seconds and then her ‘that’s what I was trying to tell you” at the end was priceless . On a different note , love the bread episode.

[@tommyvermiglio1649]

The Lucy Show Is One Of My Favorites

[@denapattison6363]

I have never seen this before and I got goosebumps. These broads looked GREAT for their ages at this time!

[@norahfarber1076]

Ahhhh I was with you till you called them broads. No.

[@retroguy9494]

They DID look awesome! When this aired, Lucille Ball was 52, Vivian Vance was 54 and Ethel Merman was 55! And considering that Merman smoked and drank heavily until eventually stopping, its amazing she looked that good at 55!

[@billhosko7723]

@@norahfarber1076 keren... goo awayyy....

[@karenwesley332]

That's so Classic for Lucy to do something like that. Hilarious!!

[@rogermaes6001]

Viv and Lucy were hilarious !

[@LJ-ht4zs]

Lucy was incredible mimicking Ethel Merman - think Vivian Vance was okay.

[@blockmasterscott]

Omg, Vivian had me in tears. 😂😂😂

[@ginnylorenz5265]

What a fun scene!! (side note: Viv's hair is SO pretty!!!!)

[@joaopauloribas8495]

What a superb voice!!!

[@Snowydog123]

I can't help noticing how slim Merman was which was not always the case this late in her career. Actually in every way she looked FABULOUS!

Snowydog123 well, most of us stack a few pounds on when we aren't youthful anymore. I'd say you likely will as well

[@rtususian]

This was originally supposed to be a single episode, but they were having so much fun and there was so much going on they decided to make it a 2 part episode. However, the two episodes were filmed several ,months apart. I remember reading that so many things had changed between the two times.

[@simplymj9032]

Miss Ethel is so beautiful 💖

[@yversorrod1529]

This scene and the whole episode of "The Lucy's Show", have always been of my very favorites since I was a small child!!! :)

[@HappySunshineDay]

Goosebumps!! What an amazing scene - and I had never seen it before! Thank you for this post! 12/20/2020

[@Hiljack67]

I love these old shows. Miss this type of classy entertainment. 😢😭😔.

[@danseabreeze1404]

I just saw this this morning, it was much more satisfying on the Lucy Show dvd because the voice coming from the record was small and tinny coming from a tiny speaker on the record player. Then when Ethel lowers the volume and starts singing you can tell the difference between a record player and a live great voice. Here they've been edited to both sound the same: record player and live singer. Takes away the surprise element.

[@2023FourRunner]

That was So Perfect! Left Lucy freakin Speechless!!!😂😂!!😂😂😂😂😂

[@allancuseo7431]

What a hoot!!! Those were the days of class on television

[@Susan2361]

Yes, I agree...total class!!!! We just don't have that any more.

[@eviesmail5447]

Allan Cuseo so true

[@joepeterson2819]

They changed class for crass!

[@retroguy9494]

@@joepeterson2819 It wasn't television that changed. It was PEOPLE!

[@salloschiavo4193]

Did you know that the character of Ethel Mertz in I Love Lucy was named after Ethel Merman because Lucy had become good friends with her in 1933 when they did a movie together in Hollywood and ironically, the next year in 1934 Vivian Vance understudied for Ethel Merman on Broadway. ... So Ethel Merman knew both Lucy and Vivian. But lucy and vivian didn't meet each other until they hired Vivian to do I Love ❤️ Lucy

[@rleutz13]

Lucy: Haven't you ever watched her in a Broadway musical? "Agnes': Would you believe it, I never have! brilliant joke!

[@gillbarr1]

Totally brilliant xxxxx

[@yougotta2505]

i wish these episodes were on youtube

[@Jack21Spades]

That is FUNNY. I don't care what ETHEL HERSELF says. I don't care what LUCY says. VIVIAN can chime in, I. Don't. Care. That is FUNNY. God rest them all.

[@Karyn3112]

Three great ladies together ... classic 💖

[@HT-ww3zg]

Loved Ether Merman in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

[@rebeccafortschneider8310]

I agree. She stole the show!

[@ritadicienzo7316]

Yes I miss Lucy used to watch her daily

[@pablobanados6552]

Such great comediannes.

[@geoffreyfox9801]

Desilu actually filmed a pilot for a sitcom with Ethel Merman. I never saw this. Unfortunately, the network passed and did not pick it up. Ethel had a wonderful comedic talent. I think she could have been a great popular hit with TV audiences if she'd found the right sitcom. Desilu also filmed a pilot for The Carol Channing Show. This is available on KZbin. I found it a little bizarre. The network also passed on picking it up as a series.

[@1remnantz]

As a child I watched this show mainly for Vivian Vance. Glad to see in these reviews that she's getting well deserved recognition. It takes 3 to tango in this bit and all three were in top form. Yes, I got gossebumps from Ms. Merman's singing. Was not a fan of hers until I was old enough to realize what she was doing. A unique, great talent.

[@scottmiller6495]

Two icons that the world will never ever see or hear again and this world has lost many entertainers from the past thank God that U Tube can show these classic scenes from many years ago so that the ignorant young people of today,s world can see what they are missing and maybe might give a damn some day !!!!!

[@hilaryapril7043]

Right on brother !

[@gaymichaelis7581]

Oh, that’s Lucy‘s friend’s name, right?! Oh, I love the short skit here! I’ve never seen this before! And I just watched a biographical movie about Ethel Merman last night! So I didn’t really like her voice before until I watched that movie! And her voice is really growing on me! I think she is or was wonderful! And this is so funny with Lucy or Lucille Ball!!! Thank you very much to Lucy and Vivian Vance and Ethel Merman! 😀😄

[@mediterraneanworld]

What movie is there about Merman?

[@randolphpatterson5061]

I was liking this about ten times more than I was expecting to!

[@reggieambrosini6878]

randolph patterson mm

[@bo2720]

These broads are still hilarious!!

[@1533ramsay]

Broads, a word used regularly in the day and it offended no woman...Frank said the word best...

[@suzieqtruth6377]

that voice! spectacular!

[@sushicourier]

Goosebumps. I actually teared up. And boy Ethel looks pretty here. She was 56

[@jamesmcinnis208]

"actually"

[@donaldsimmonsjr]

That's the power of a timeless icon like Ethel Merman. I've always known she was a singer and actress, but I'd never even heard her sing until this episode of "The Lucy Show"! When Ethel lowered the volume on the record player and started to sing, chills went up my spine! And I'm 26 years old!

[@wmpetroff2307]

@@donaldsimmonsjr for real though.

[@zachkubish598]

I remember seeing Ethel Merman in Airplane, during the one gag.

[@jimbuxton2187]

One in 10 million ! A natural belter !

[@PeaceFan1]

I LOOOVVEE ETHEL MERMAN !!! Brilliant Singer!! ONE of a Kind...xoxo

[@johnperrigo6474]

Lucy always gets in trouble. Amazing.

[@fanorama1]

Ethel looked great here!

[@yvonnecortez765]

she looked beautiful

[@DMH62291]

I watched all the Rudolph specials this past Christmas and forgot Ethel Merman starred in the Christmas in July movie and when she sang, her songs were the best in the whole soundtrack and she was in her 70s at the time. She still had it.

[@kennethwayne6857]

Not sure but I think Vivian Vance was Ethel's understudy in the original 'Anything Goes'.

[@lotteweill]

Vance was Merman's understudy in the original production, 1934 of Anything Goes. Vance was also had a small role in Red Hot and Blue. Both show had Cole Porter scores and starred Merman

[@k.m.h7480]

Lucy gets into the darndest funniest situations 😂😂😂

[@cjb8010]

I love that when Ethel Merman turns off the phonograph, the orchestra continues. That’s some record!

[@kllwc7772]

“ What’s wrong with you girl ??” 🤣🤣

[@GeoStrum3]

Ethel had a great sense of humor to allow the kidding she got here.

[@brianoneil6659]

She sure did. And it came up in the first scene (not shown here) as well.

[@williamarndt9465]

I saw Merman once on stage -- in Hello Dolly. What an honor.

[@leesasawyer3815]

Lucy and Viv The Dream Team and any episode with Ethel Merman is always good. Can't wait to watch this episode on full from my own DVDs.

[@neilwilburn4901]

I augmented the "I Got Rhythm" on the Lucy Show soundtrack with the actual track from the album Ethel released around that same time.