Phenomenal success of "Annie Get Your Gun" eased the way into another Irving Berlin-Ethel Merman collaboration although Merman preferred her next role to be more dramatical,but was eventually convinced to appear in another musical. Expectations were so high that tickets sold in record advance sale of $2 million and show later turned into another roaring success, this time story focused on character of social hostess who is so down-to-earth that everybody loves her and she becomes US ambassador in some tiny european country.Just like main character in "Annie Get Your Gun" was based on historical character, this time Sally Adams was inspired by real, unpretentious widow named Perle Mesta who was daughter of a rich Oklahoma oilman and who was appointed as ambassador to Luxembourg by president Truman.
Again, Irving Berlin provided catchy songs and Merman was perfectly suited to musical - her introduction song "The Hostess With the Mostes' on the Ball" describes main character, while "It's a Lovely Day Today", "The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me)" and "You're Just in Love" were biggest hits of the day. The last song actually popped on hit charts. A comic little jingle "They Like Ike!" was so popular that it was later used in a real-life political campaign by future president Eisenhower (to a delight of composer). This is the musical where Merman famously said "no" to any more changes during out-of-town rehearsals, her remark quickly became part of Broadway legend: "Boys,as of right now, I am Miss Birdseye of 1950. I am frozen. Not a comma!" It became Broadway code for no more tinkering allowed.
Corporate greed sabotaged the commercial success of the LP with the music from the show,as two opposite companies wanted the piece of the cake. RCA was financial backer of the musical so they recorded "original cast" album without main star because she had exclusive contract with "Decca". So suddenly two competing versions of the show were released, one with original cast and Dinah Shore as "Madam" from the title (RCA) and another with Ethel Merman and bunch of pop singers (Decca). Understandably nether record could capture energy of the stage show but Merman's record at least have spark because she originated the role. As a refreshing contrast to Merman's brassy way with music, here we have gentle voices of Dick Haymes and Eileen Wilson who are actually quite good.
Two songs echoed decades later: "Can You Use Any Money Today?" sounds like older relative of a famous "Money" song in "Cabaret" movie with Liza Minnelli, while "I've Still Got My Health" found a new life as a number Bette Midler sang on a stage in "Beaches".
No comments:
Post a Comment