Let’s Honor Mary Martin (While She Honors Richard Rodgers…)

Posted on by

36

Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday! In just about two weeks, the world will celebrate the 105th anniversary of Mary Martin’s birth! In honor of this Broadway legend, I’ve found something in which I think you may be interested: a star-studded NBC telecast from March 04, 1951 called “America Applauds: An Evening For Richard Rodgers.”

Appearing alongside Valerie Bettis, John Brownlee, Bing Crosby (voice only), Alfred Drake, Jerome Hines, Celeste Holm, Charles Kullman, Dorothy Maynor, Patrice Munsel, Vivienne Segal, Brian Sullivan, Hugh Thompson, and Vera Zorina, Mary Martin pays tribute to the classic composer as only she can — with a piano bench rendition (next to said composer) of their South Pacific (1949) classic, “(I’m In Love With) A Wonderful Guy.” Here’s the number — in honor of Richard Rodgers, and also, our birthday girl, darling Mary Martin!

For subscribers who’d like to access a full copy of this rare treat — which is hosted by What’s My Line?’s John Charles Daly, and includes stellar performances like Vivienne Segal’s “Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered” (Pal Joey, 1940), Celeste Holm’s “This Can’t Be Love” (The Boys From Syracuse, 1938), Alfred Drake’s “People Will Say We’re In Love (Oklahoma!, 1943), a special ballet by Vera Zorina, Patrice Munsel’s “What’s The Use Of Wond’rin'” (Carousel, 1945), Bing Crosby’s “It’s Easy To Remember” (Mississippi, film, 1935), Dorothy Maynor’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Carousel, 1945), and Drake’s “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'” (Oklahoma!, 1943), among others — comment below and let me know of your interest!

 

 

Come back next month for another Musical Theatre treat! And stay tuned for more Drew Carey!

36 thoughts on “Let’s Honor Mary Martin (While She Honors Richard Rodgers…)”

  1. I had no idea footage of this special existed. What a star-studded cast. And to think that so much of Rodgers’s career was still ahead of him. That “Wonderful Guy” clip brought SUCH a huge smile to my face. Would love to see the whole show—thank you for sharing this!

  5. What a great great clip you’ve shared, Jackson! Where else but here will we see a Mary Martin 105th birthday tribute but here? I also loved revisiting the MARY MARTIN MADNESS post from 2013 that is linked at the bottom. Thanks for Sharing once again, and I’d love to see the full Richard Rodgers Tribute broadcast.

  10. It would be lovely to return to the days when TV networks regularly aired musical shows that, nowadays, you’re hard pressed to even find on public television! Yes, please, send me the link. I’d love to see this tribute!

  11. Whoa! This was hosted by John Daly? How did I not see this post till now??? I would LOVE to have a copy of this.

  14. Wow! So glad I found this site! I have a lot of reading to catch up on during the holidays! This special looks wonderful and would love to see the whole thing!

    • Hi, Amos! Thanks for reading and commenting.

      Please subscribe to this blog using your preferred email address and I will send a copy of this show your way!

  15. Just discovered your site.
    Oh my goodness!
    I would love to see the whole broadcast of AMERICA APPLAUDS:AN EVENING FOR RICHARD RODGERS.

    I’ve always wondered where that clip came from.
    Perhaps I have material you’d be interested in.

    Looking for your response.

    Ken Kantor

  16. hi Jackson
    I saw Mary Martin in Peter Pan and my first musical theatyer experience was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel so this would be a treat to hear Mary Martin sing and to hear more of Rodger’s music. please send. Thank you.

Comments are closed.