Gwen Verdon "If My Friends Could See Me Now" on The Ed Sullivan Show

[@imeanithonest5704]

I met Gwen Verdon in New York years after this. She could not have been nicer, friendlier and just....a great lady.

[@jeffwatts1126]

Gwen has a special place in my heart. I worked with her on a movie, not long before her death. So we spent a couple months together in Florida. Honestly, i had no clue who she was, just another actor that I had to look after. But she was just the sweetest woman, and never once complained about the conditions. She was just a happy person. Then one day we were shooting at some old mans house, and he just went nuts over her, brought out all her albums, I mean seriously, it was as if he had Elvis at his house. She was so gracious to him, I guess it felt good to be remembered. Anyway, eventually i came home and I was with my dad and I told him I worked with Gwen Verdon, and that apparently she was a big deal at one point, and he says "Gwen Verdon????? Are you kidding me? Your mother LOVED her (My mom died when I was a kid) We went and saw her show live many times"

[@aalegalfocus]

Thanks for sharing! This is my first time watching her, in 2024.​@@jeffwatts1126

[@JAKECOT_CENTER]

Was this when she was with Bob Fosse?

[@imeanithonest5704]

@@JAKECOT_CENTER No. He was dead. She never talked about him.

[@JAKECOT_CENTER]

@@imeanithonest5704 I can understand that. Knowing what I know now about what happened between them

[@davidbonfiglio5163]

Imagine the strength it takes to dance that, and still have the breath to belt out the song.

[@zibbyzubb]

training and experience. Something lacking pop singers today. They have to lip synch if they are also dancing.

[@levondelite4072]

@@zibbyzubb Gwen Verdon was trained mostly for the stage, as a dancer who could also sing and act. She was accustomed to the rigors of Broadway, where she performed night after night. You’re confusing ”live theater” with pop singers. They really shouldn’t be compared as they’re completely different type entertainers.

[@zibbyzubb]

@@levondelite4072 then how do you explain Tina Turner, Bette Midler, Cher and their like who can/could sing and dance and did not have years of training for the stage? It is a VERY fair comparison. Those ladies sang and never stopped moving on stage for two solid hours. If you've got the voice and the talent you should not have to lip synch while singing and dancing live.

[@yarnover]

I read somewhere that she would train by singing and full-on skipping rope at the same time. When asked why, she would say, "It's my job to be able to do that." (Paraphrasing from memory, of course!)

[@levondelite4072]

@@zibbyzubb All I’m saying is a pop singer today shouldn’t be expected to have the same training and experience as a Broadway musical star.

[@odjake]

One of the advantages that Ed Sullivan had was to be on Sunday night. All the Broadway shows were not performing, so he could showcase the latest and greatest. These live performances are some of the only footage there is for so many shows. And the live orchestra was incredible! Thanks for continuing to post these amazing clips!!

[@FredericKahler]

Sunday night dark meant also that her peers on the boards would have seen this and wanted so much for her.

[@juditheytel3881]

Agree with you 100%❤️

[@lavb5474]

Honestly, yes Ed Sullivan has long since passed. That said, the show should be brought back with someone else hosting and have it still called The Ed Sullivan Show! I don't think they realized then, but this was an education in the arts every Sunday night. We could use it all done live!

[@WhiteCamry]

On Sundays Broadway shows raise the curtain @ 3PM. The Ed Sullivan Show ran @ 8PM. So the show headlining on Sullivan would scoot over to his theater, having just played the Sunday matinee.

[@Mike-nt9sx]

I love the Wilma Flintstone feet sound efx.

[@MCMNasty2]

An absolute treasure. One of the best performers to ever do it.

[@RichardJosephSeymourMrSeymour]

GWEN VERDON -- I cannot imagine a world without Gwen Verdon!! The gift that never stops giving!! She IS the Fosse choreography!!

[@ianlombardo9758]

You’re currently living in a world without Gwen Verdon, she died 21 years ago.

[@crystallineblue4344]

@@ianlombardo9758 What's your point? Get lost TROLL.

[@HiramKasten]

she was enchanting.

[@jochenstossberg5427]

The first person on Broadway to use two spotlights at the same time. Bob's idea. But look out if you were another dancer and accidentally walked into it.

[@adelechicken6356]

Not just a wonderful singer and dancer, also an excellent actress. She becomes Charity! ❤❤

[@pamelab7235]

People living today have no idea how important Ed Sullivan (and Johnny Carson) were to the entertainment world. If you made it on either show, there was a good chance your career was on the rise!

[@nancypine9952]

The Beatles made their American appearance on Ed Sullivan.

[@judithricca6915]

I was fortunate to have seen Miss Verdon in Sweet Charity on Broadway. She is unforgettable.

[@cherylb2008]

That is a dream come true It must have been fantastic

[@mindy56374]

My goodness, is it any wonder everyone fell in love with her? This is a gem, so special to have her captured on film in this iconic role in this iconic number doing this iconic choreo.

[@cherylb2008]

This woman was perfect for Broadway She can dance and sing, she’s so beautiful. She has a big stage presence So good

[@SDoesNotKnow]

Charity really was tailor-made for Gwen Verdon and it shows. Nobody could dance like her because although she had grade A+ technique and natural skill, she was also an actress who moved in-character. Her natural charisma and stage presence is so evident.

[@katherenewedic8076]

yes! shirley mcClain was great; however, it was acted/sang/danced with a melconic feel. this is happy and innocent which really shows the humor of the choreography

[@daweller]

I'm sold! This girl's got it... I'm not sure what it is... flash, pizazz whatever it is, she's got it!

[@ighdesigns]

Dorothy Fields: what a lyricist. Incredible.

[@voxospd]

Gwen Verdon was more than a great dancer. She was also a great actress whose dance told the story. She was the best at this. When I see Gwen dance and sing here, I know her character has made it out of the dance hall into a world she knows will make her friends jealous. She is imagining her old crew sees her in this wealthy atmosphere. I have not seen another dancer/actress convey this plot point like this.

[@fncz]

Incredible. And to think she performed 8 shows a week!! Power and talent.

[@erinmalone2669]

She really should have been in the film

[@LannieLord]

It would have done poorly . She's not a household name.

[@besskorey7403]

@@LannieLord The film was a failure at the box office, so casting a known star made no difference.

[@ianbannister8404]

Sweet charity wouldn’t be the same without Shirley you miss the comedy timing 😅

[@corriepitt7630]

Gwen Verdon! Owns the role in perpetuity. Fabulous.

[@christinevmiles506]

I just found out about her & IM SPELLBOUND & GOBSMACKED HOW AMAZING SHE IS & so happy to watch all of her videos. 2024 here

[@TVHouseHistorian]

Stunning professionalism she had.

[@johndalton3180]

Pure joy. One of the absolute treasures of KZbin. A Broadway legend at the top of her game. Thanks to Ed Sullivan, his producers, and current rights holder Sofa Entertainment for posting this.

[@kentmorin9418]

Magic with the human body !!!!

[@eclecticsoulfire]

Feels more futuristic than past that's how great of a dancer she is. Wow just wow!

[@vickifriend9285]

What an absolutely natural animated performance. She was one of the very best. Do you know how hard it is to perform to that standard? Comedy dance and acting ability, doesn’t happen often

[@bobwyatt8318]

The quintessential triple threat !

[@RustySax1949]

@vickifriend9285 - I think today's equivalent to Gwen would be Sutton Foster. . .

[@hawby7mgh]

And this was LIVE on a Sunday evening after an 8 show week.

[@BBQFanNo1]

She always looked so much younger than her actual age. Must be a fountain of youth gene. RIP Gwen

[@jochenstossberg5427]

Yes, people forget that when she did Sweet Charity she was 41. She was at her dancing peak about ten years earlier, with Can Can.

[@jnettis1]

My God, she was wonderful ❤!! Truly Fosse's muse. NO ONE could interpret his choreography like her. What a delight to see this 😊❤❤❤!!

[@schallrd1]

These wonderful glimpses of classic shows and performances are the best things about KZbin.

[@100YearJukebox]

As wonderful as Gwen Verdon was, let's not forget that she had equally wonderful material--not only the incredible Bob Fosse choreography, but also this iconic song, with the catchy melody composed by Cy Coleman and the snazzy, snappy lyrics by the immortal Dorothy Fields...it all came together in this amazing package.

[@lisachauvin]

Gwen Verdon was one of a kind ❤️❤️❤️

[@Malindams]

Starting at 4:51 is just pure magic! You can see the Fosse genius at play. Imagine seeing this type of talent on TV every week for free! Thank you, Mr. Sullivan..

[@amylynn3821]

I'll be honest, I haven't seen too much I loved of Gwen Verdon because most of the clips are from Damn Yankees and I can't get past what they did to the character of Lola, who was such a great complex character in the book. However, I have seen a lot of clips of this scene with a lot of actresses doing this exact choreography and nobody does it like her. She is absolutely fantastic. She is head and shoulders above anybody else. It is clear that this number was choreographed for her and she absolutely kills it. Also let's not forget that she was 42 when they filmed this.

[@marciemartelli7896]

Saw her in the Broadway musical REDHEAD. It is still my favorite Broadway musical. It was magical!

[@Yoliplanting]

She was EVERYTHING 🖤🖤🌸🌸

[@karencarter18042]

Bob Fosse did not deserve her. Gwen Verdon is the rare diamond of a person who could dance , sign and act on a level other dream they could be.

[@karencarter18042]

@Robert Lee, Countertenor I think professional they were great together but romantically Gwen deserved someone who was going to be fully in the relationship

[@boogerie]

Fosse would've agreed. That said even though he was not physically faithful to her my impression is that they were always there for one another

[@karencarter18042]

@@boogerie They would have done better as friends than husband and wife. I don't think Fosse was commitment type

[@theloreleis6621]

I agree! I've never liked Fosse at all.

[@ginak615]

@Robert Lee, Countertenor He wasn't "a scoundrel," he was a serial rapist.

[@mycatisabastard2361]

Imagine jumping on a bed while wearing heels and pulling it off no problem. Verdon was and is the definitive dancer.

[@crystallineblue4344]

I was wondering about that "bed". Would it be a prop containing a "dance-able" surface?

[@manipool]

@@crystallineblue4344 She did catch her heel and did a good job of making it almost unnoticable.

[@pmitsos1]

I thought the same thing when I saw her leap on the bed.

[@caddiebrown8565]

I was a stage dancer for many years. Those shoes are not everyday heels. They're dance shoes called character shoes. Made differently with a wider toe box, a secure arch strap, a cushioned foot bed and a heel that can absorb heavy floor contact. Even different nails in them. Leather, contoured sole. The bottom of the heel itself is about 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" and shaped like a horseshoe, made out of heavy rubber. Ballet, tap, ballroom, stage, flamenco...performance shoes are all made differently. Wearing them for a career also changes the shape and strength of the foot. It takes many years, and an enormous amount of athleticism, to dance like Gwen Verdon does.

[@roberttacorbett5795]

And many years from now, she will STILL be an outstanding Broadway starring still doing her thing! Keep on keeping on, Ms Sutton!!

[@WGARVA]

She was incredible. Owned the stage. And you can understand every syllable.

[@pamelab7235]

And they didn’t use mikes at the time.

[@rwachwater4408]

Never bettered. Outstanding

[@geoffreyfox9801]

Wow. Gwen Verdon was great. She is marvelous here. Her dancing is wonderful. Shirley did a fairly good impression of Gwen in the movie. In fact, Gwen coached Shirley for the movie role. However, when you compare the two...Gwen is the best. Shirley came off as a second or third print Gwen Verdon in the movie version of "Sweet Charity".

[@artistphx]

Gwen Verdon really owned the role.

[@amelie-v3f]

幾つになってもキュート🩷なグウェンバードン🩷大好き💕 10代の時、エドサリバンショーで初めてグウェンバードンを知ってからのファンです😊 こんな女性になりたいと今でも感じます😊

[@Ponyboy_Curtis]

What a performance! And dancing in those heels? Wow!

[@johndalton3180]

WOW with NO TIMECODE!! Thank you thank you thank for for uploading this important piece of history. Brilliant all around.

[@andrewmccarthy110]

She was AMAZING

[@usmale4915]

Holy Cow no one can ever take Gwen Verdon's place. What a dancer, and yes I know Shirley MacLaine did the movie so I guess she would be second best? I absolutely love Gwen! Thanks for the upload.

[@jrosene8]

No offense to Shirley MacLaine, they made a huge mistake not having Gwen in the lead role in the movie.

[@leewitten4758]

but both of them took it well. Gwen wasn't offended, and Shirley demanded the studio hired Fosse to direct or she'd walk. I assume they were friends, Gwen actually was in a couple of Shirley's movies.

[@usmale4915]

@@leewitten4758 Gwen also helped Shirley with some of the chorography (I believe it was the number: "If My Friends Could See Me Now") which looks as though it's a really tough number to do! As I had said earlier, I like both of them very much!

[@leewitten4758]

@@usmale4915 Damn Straight. Two queens of their craft.

[@usmale4915]

@@leewitten4758 You've got that right!

[@kellyhiggins4234]

Her daughter resembles her to a tee. I miss you Betty , I loved when you came to visit your old house, that huge house. Your employees loved you dearly , always smiling, telling everyone how you helped them with whatever they needed. They would always try to get you to wave ✋ and 99 percent of the time you would , that heart of yours is now within heavens realm. Continued Blessings to you....❤

[@zibbyzubb]

she was so great.

[@scottdowney4103]

She was 43 years old when she did that. Old time, big show biz performance. That don't make performers like that anymore. Reminds me of the Gloria Swanson line from Sunset Boulevard . . . "I am big. It's the pictures that got small."

[@brucebarton4645]

Such an amazing comic talent. How she bumped into him. She was pure Chaplin and a dancer.

[@Mike-nt9sx]

Every now and then Gwen Verdon shows up on my feed and every time she does I remember... I hope there's a heaven where I can meet her someday.

[@echeleteich3347]

Trust me, that's why doing 8 performances a week is a real workout!!!!

[@nssquared9174]

No one has ever been able to move the way she did. PERFECTION!

[@jonathansmith9235]

Don't see that kind of talent anymore. Rock and Heavy Metal killed pure pleasure.

[@gwenewing6837]

Takes my breath away!!

[@bluscorpion]

Wow! So good!

[@ciaransammon]

She is unbelievable.

[@blueneptune146]

She is just sensational!

[@tomcollopy2726]

Not only a great Dancer but highly intelligent. Fossie would have been lost without her. R.IP To Both.

[@THE-HammerMan]

Loved her in Damn Yankees. A true lady and talent.

[@russgifford519]

Great performance and all the more impressive because it's being done on Live TV with millions watching

[@pauliegambino7832]

I can't stop watching this video. I don't know why. :)

[@johndalton3180]

Because she's irresistible and talented as hell.

[@copperkettle1533]

Her dance moves, her tattoo...all that back then? Wouldn't have thought! And now I understand the "Fosse, Foose, Fosse" Robin Williams said in The Bird Cage. Wow.

[@deuxjournalistes2993]

Thank you so much for posting this! I've wanted to see it (in its entirety) for years. Wow!! What an incredible dancer. Gwen Verdon was a true star.

[@bfdredrock1451]

Stunning!

[@BrooklynDreaminCG]

Priceless! Gwen Verdon forever! Thanks for posting!

[@oldgypsytap]

Simply Divine!

[@donnazukowski]

The best of Fosse and Verdon. She makes this work.

[@RattlesnakeJake101]

Lee brought me here thank you joker 2 for introducing me to this song.

[@MiguelScott_____]

Me too ☺️

[@DSmith-e5e]

Talent most definitely not a bagel, love it

[@jaccusefashion]

thats CLASS!

[@leslieawest5062]

What a gal. So talented, I've never seen this either. I will be watching this again. Such great dancing, comedy, all around ,Wonderful Gwen. !!

[@LHSnLA]

Absolutely incredible!! It's a sin that she didn't get the repeat her triumph in Sweet Charity on film! At least we'll always have Damn Yankees!

[@onepieceofstardust9194]

Her performance is so infectious! :D

[@johndalton3180]

Tip: Go to "Settings" (the sprocket that appears on the bottom the of the KZbin video window,) and manually change "Quality" to 480p. If you have a decent monitor, this should give you a very clear, nearly broadcast quality SD picture. For years the only thing we had was that technically inferior version with the timecode burned. I'd actually like to thank the person who uploaded it, because it was better than not having it at all. But THIS is a real treasure. Thanks again to SOFA Entertainment for sharing this piece of Broadway history.

[@melvan1104]

She was an amazing performer

[@yayaq1779]

This brought back so many great memories,thank you for posting this

[@BilliRuth40]

I saw her in Reno in 1972 or 3! She was stunning.

[@john-paulmichelangelo5180]

Mesmerizing and funny; BRILLIANT!

[@treesny]

Credit where credit is due: the score for SWEET CHARITY is by Cy Coleman (music) and Dorothy Fields (lyrics). Neil Simon wrote the book, based on Fellini's great film THE NIGHTS OF CABIRIA.

[@bigbandsrock1]

Fabulous!!! She was brilliant!!!

[@VelvetCyberpunk]

Gwen Verdon was absolutely brilliant. I loved her so much.

[@lewcharles2]

Amazing! A real joy to watch

[@pete5668]

I remember playing this in high school. Spring musical. Percussion. What a great book.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Has anyone ever convinced you more completely that they were overjoyed? Great dancing is great acting.

[@amysill3815]

True talent!

[@eyesonyou99]

My parents took me to see it the night after the opening. I was only 13 but knew it was a special night. 😊

[@vickieagan2326]

She was so adorable!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@tophers3756]

For decades I've heard versions of this song in countless commercials without hearing the actual number. I still can't hear it without thinking how worn out it's been because of that.

[@carlosyamara]

She makes it all look so effortless 🎉

[@jochenstossberg5427]

It isn't hard. It's just slick, and she was razor sharp with the movements. In point of fact she really didn't do all that much serious dancing in this show. The only big number she actually danced in was I'm A Brass Band. In the big show stopping number, she didn't even appear. Just telling it like it was, to cut through the mythology. She was 41 when she did this show.

[@leslieawest5062]

Ahhh, Gewn was great. She did quite alot of TV shows, as a guest. 1980s and some in 1990s. She was great, I always liked her!! 👏🤗❤🕊😇🌻🦋

[@williamogilvie6909]

What a dancer; break a leg!

[@jackbuckley7816]

Absolutely amazing performance, simply stunning. First film-footage of Ms. Verdon I've ever seen, I believe. Wow, is she impressive here!

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

THANK YOU for posting this!

[@ianrobbins]

This just lightened up a gloomy Sunday :)

[@palmereldritch7777]

...and that is how you do it. Love Shirley MacLaine and all the other great dames who put on this role.but damn this is another level. i wish there was some footage of Redhead.

[@sandravance8270]

She was just great. We also share birthdays,. 1/13. And I'm a retired dance teacher. Everyone have a great day!!🤩sandy

[@gardensenglishanddance]

What a talent, incredible! I love You Tube :-)

[@WGARVA]

Brilliant 🎉

[@brianletter3545]

I just love the way the scenery sways when the guy leaves at 1:03.

[@robertjackson5645]

When the dance is deeper than the book....

[@keouine]

I played trumpet in a teensy pit orch once for this. I was really disappointed in the book hearing it every performance. Not nearly as engaging as the songs. Same was true for Oklahoma and maybe lots of others now that I think of it.

[@briannawilmot5353]

The Fosse style on display here is amazing.

[@richardgornalle4536]

Thank you for this video. Wonderful performance. Love this video.

[@graysonsparkman5354]

💖

[@esmaylengonzalez3757]

Lady Gaga is making young people like me listen to these classics 😊

[@Sebastian-rv1yk]

Who cares about gaga