Welcome to a new Musical Theatre Monday — surprise! I’m bumping this month’s scheduled entry up a week to make sure that all subscribers — who comment below to alert me of their interest — can receive access to the rarity I’m offering here ahead of an upcoming special day: January 16, the 114th anniversary of the great Ethel Merman‘s birth!

This year, we’re marking the annual festivities with something I teased a while ago in audio form: La Merm’s October 1968 guest appearance on an episode of That’s Life (1968-1969, ABC), the hour-long musical comedy TV series starring Robert Morse and E.J. Peaker as a young couple who go from a meet-cute to parenthood all in the course of 26 song-and-dance-filled episodes. (More info here.) Well, now I’ve got a video of the outing in question — Episode #06: “Moving In” (10/29/68), which guest stars Merman alongside Lou Jacobi and Terry-Thomas. I shared a video clip a few months ago. Here it is again — and for those who want to see more, well, be sure to subscribe to this blog and comment below!

Come back next month for a new musical rarity! And stay tuned tomorrow for Sitcom Tuesday!