HOME ALL THAT CHAT ATC WEST COAST SHOPPIN' RUSH BOARD FAQS

LOGIN REGISTER SEARCH THREADED MODE

not logged in

Threaded Order | Chronological Order

Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet

Posted by: Holland 07:23 pm EDT 03/17/14

Often Mary's voice sounds so thin to me, I'm almost a bit uncomfortable. She addressed how often cast recordings were made after arduous tryouts and openings and how she was frequently unhappy with the results. Here she sounds so strong and vibrant and between her and Sir Noel, the charm quotient just couldn't be higher. Is this from the TV special Together with Music? It's been decades since I've heard that recording.

Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei-MmuLn3MU

reply to this message |
re: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet

Posted by: JohnDunlop 09:09 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet - Holland 07:23 pm EDT 03/17/14

Yes, it's from Together with Music. On her cast albums, Mary Martin has written that the album from the live TV "Annie Get your Gun" with John Raitt was her favorite because it was recorded in the studio before AGYG was broadcast. Before CDs, her copy of the out-of-print record almost wore out because she played it so often.


reply to this message |
re: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet

Posted by: Holland 07:27 pm EDT 03/17/14
In reply to: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet - Holland 07:23 pm EDT 03/17/14

Meant to mention, a weird piece of censorship -- in Anything Goes, good authors don't use four letter words writing prose -- they use THREE letter words! Also, pulling the eyes back for Japanese Sandman is a bit cringe worthy for modern sensibility.


reply to this message | reply to first message
re: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet

Posted by: LegitOnce 06:58 am EDT 03/18/14
In reply to: re: Wonderful Mary Martin/Noel Coward Duet - Holland 07:27 pm EDT 03/17/14

Television in those days was incredibly narrow about language and situations. "Four letter words" -- perhaps because it was not one of Coward's own lines -- was maybe not a hill anyone felt like dying on.

On the other hand, Coward was able to get away with "syncopation had a discouraging effect on procreation," "she wouldn't sacrifice her principles for sex," "she told them where to put their tropic palms," and of course "When I see that unromantic, sycophantic lot of sluts / Forever wriggling their guts," so who knows, maybe the Porter word change was Mary's idea?

Link Nina

reply to this message | reply to first message


All That Chat is intended for the discussion of theatre news and opinion
subject to the terms and conditions of the Terms of Service. (Please take all off-topic discussion to private email.)

Please direct technical questions/comments to webmaster@talkinbroadway.com and policy questions to TBAdmin@talkinbroadway.com.

[ Home | On the Rialto | The Siegel Column | Cabaret | Tony Awards | Book Reviews | Great White Wayback Machine ]
[ Broadway Reviews | Barbara and Scott: The Two of Clubs | Sound Advice | Restaurant Revue | Off Broadway | Funding Talkin' Broadway ]
[ Broadway 101 | Spotlight On | Talkin' Broadway | On the Boards | Regional | Talk to Us! | Search Talkin' Broadway ]

Terms of Service
[ © 1997 - 2014 www.TalkinBroadway.com, Inc. ]

Time to render: 0.093975 seconds.