President John F. Kennedy Inaugural Gala, January 20, 1961

[@DaCoach68]

This may be mentioned by others, but I remember hearing that this gala is especially memorable as it was delayed by hours because of a huge snowstorm in the DC area. It didn't get underway until 10:30, finally ending at 1:30 -2:00 am. It has been reported that all the scheduled performers made it in, but many did their numbers in their street clothes as things such as makeup & wardrobe were between...here and there. Many thanks for the post. There are so many posts here at KZbin regarding Kennedy and the inauguration... one is a compilation of Kennedy related guests on the popular vintage TV show What's My Line.

[@gregberg5559]

It is THRILLING to see be able to see this! I only wish that entire performances were here. I would be especially interested to watch all of Helen Traubel's performance of "A Mighty Fortress is our God."

[@rickutt3064]

I would like to see a clip of opera singer Clara O'dette. She sang at this Ball too. She was in the room next to me in a Nursing home years later.

[@lemorab1]

I would like to hear Helen Traubel sing the silly verses about the Kennedy baby (born in December 1960) which I have read that she performed. I would like to see the entire thing only if the visuals and audio were radically cleaned up and restored, and that label on the lower screen came off.

[@lemorab1]

Does anyone know why this is dated January 14, 1961, when the actual gala was on the evening of January 20? Is this a rehearsal?

[@MIXANDMTCH]

7:35 Ethel Merman - Everything's Coming Up Roses

[@CarterClub]

2:18 Keely Smith and Louis Prima

[@t.b.g.504]

Keely Smith was the Katy Perry of the era.

[@peteradaniel]

Who’s the opera singer who introduces Ella Fitzgerald?

[@jextejt]

Helen Traubel

[@brycewilson1909]

6:53 for frankie

[@minewheaties5029]

Shouldn't have shunned interracially married Sammy Davis Jr. and should've had enlightening Southerner Elvis too.

[@nilanjana_]

Frank the man 🙌🏻

[@bostonsportsfan9670]

4:50 for Ella Fitzgerald

[@itstheburnz]

Who wasn't there? Geeze..

[@minewheaties5029]

Sammy Davis Jr. Elvis too.

[@johnnypastrana6727]

@@minewheaties5029 AND Dean Martin... In addition republicans: George Murphy, Helen Hayes, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Rosalind Russell, Robert Montgomery, Robert Cummings, Robert Taylor, Irene Dunn, and Mary Pickford. They supported Nixon.

[@patrickrancourt4782]

The chairman of the board set fire on stage for jfk

[@johnnypastrana6727]

And JFK broke big Frank off at the knees.

[@johnnypastrana6727]

How did JFK treat Frank Sinatra after he won the presidency??? When Kennedy, as president, visited Palm Springs, he chose to stay at Bing Crosby's home (a Republican). Reportedly, Sinatra wept. Sammy Davis Jr, who supported JFK’s election campaign, didn’t receive an invitation to JFK’s inaugural gala because he was part of an interracial marriage at the time. Dean Martin, who was angered by this news, stood up for Sammy by declining his own invitation to the inauguration. JFK (RIP) forgot who his friends were it seems. None of us are perfect and we all fall short of the glory of God to be sure.