Hello Dolly!

[fnnygrndm]

she was the true meaning of the art form. not some pretty voice. not some talent or whatever that means. but....she was...she WAS theatre. she created this world, she embodied the light, the passion that is life - and that's why people loved her. she had charisma, and no pure youngin's voice can ever even come close to measuring up to that. she was simply brilliant.

[sonnet30]

This is one of the best-crafted moments of musical theatre ever, thanks to Gower Champion who staged it (though with more dancers). I saw this tour, and, yes, it was ill-advised and looked a bit cheap. Carol was too old and noticeably frail. Yet it was magical to see her play it live. The video doesn't begin to convey that, unfortunately. She communicated sheer joy in the role that is still so much a part of her she knows every gesture, every step, every word.

[dickdujourr]

Too old to play the part ..just as they say Barbra was too young..Carol Channing looks and sounds like somebody's senile old great-grandmother playing dress-up reliving her glory days..Barbra Streisand made Dolly Levi sexy and full of life and energy..Her performance with Louie Armstrong was jaw-dropping..This im afraid is just sad..Get Miss Channing to the nursing home at once!

[dickdujourr]

HORRIBLE..where is Barbra when you need her..somebody put this ol bag in a nursing home..This is one Dolly i hope stays away!

[carolineorchange21]

@dickdujourr

I love it when you talk dirty

[dickdujourr]

@carolineorchange21 LOL..Touche!...

[Zalacadu]

@dickdujourr do you even know who this is? She was Dolly for over 30 years shes 73 here.

[dickdujourr]

@Zalacadu Of course i do..she's Phyllis Diller's older sister..lol..Miss Channing is no doubt a legend and the owner of the role..but Barbara Streisand came along and BECAME Dolly Levi..and that's showbiz...kid.

[70sCher]

WOWZIE - WOW - WOW, CAROL ~ YOU STILL GOT IT, BABE ~ AFTER ALL THIS TIME!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! I perform this song all the time for all my darling senior centers, and I always talk about you and that you're STILL doin' your thing and performing after all these bazillion years. You ROCK it! Thank you for your huge inspiration! XO

[yelanates]

I've read about the revival that this is a taping of. She's really showing her age here more than she usually does. Even today she's sprightly and vivacious--here she's just slow and creaky. =/

[mjimme]

To the people who make comments about Carol's voice. That's the point.Nobody had a voice like hers. No, it's not pretty, but she's the characteromebody said dramatic parts. You've got to be kidding. Would anyone believe her in a dramatic role. She was the original Broadway Dolly and Marilyn Monroe's part in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It's her voice that's unique and she's s I saw her in the revival tour and she was wonderful. Yes, Barbra is known for her voice, but she was too young for the part

[theblondesillygirl2]

I love Carol's dress but it looks like a pain in the ass to wear and same with the feathers lol

[parzifal40]

One of a kind.....the only Dolly Levi as far as I am concerned....love Carol Channing.

[aimperator]

I'm sorry, maybe I 'm too use to Barbara Streisand's version of Dolly, but Carol channing definately pales in comparison. I don't know how she made it in show business, she cannot sing at all, and her dance moves are so rigid and clumsey. She might be fine for dramatic roles, but not musical comedy. Even though she was the original Dolly, I don't like watching her at all. Its a great song, I think the audience was applauding that, not the performance.

[120Water]

In looking at this one,,,she's barely hanging on to the notes folks! When she was great were in films like Thour'y Modern Millie, and the shows in the 60's, I saw her first in 1977 tour of Hello Dolly,,,that was good too ! She was younger, sang, quick on the draw....I think she would have made a better MAME in the movie version that Lucy played! By then-mid 70's Lucy was too old and no singing voice left at that point ...

[abledavid1]

this is were music takes talent this song is the bomb

[pbunting]

I never understood why Carol Channing was a celebrity, until I saw her live on Broadway in this show in 1995. Her talents are muted by the screen and are best appreciated when showcased live. Seeing her performance was like seeing a piece of Broadway history. But it was not simply nostaglic. Her comedic timing, voice, every gesture and every movement were impeccable. She brought a brilliant show to a higher level.

[fatflipper415]

@pbunting i remember watching this movie w/my mother as a child. i am in search of this video. i have searched archives of all studios. can u help?

[fiftiesflashback1953]

Hello Dolly, a timeless Broadway "Chanel Little Black Dress" for the ages!

[decordan]

In the mid 70's,Hello Dolly was performed at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.; I remember the performance so well. Miss Channing was flawless. At the end of the restaurant scene, I remember very clearly, I embarrassed my father. As she finished singing and stretched her arms out, I stood on my seat to demand a standing ovation from the audience. I was directly in front of Miss Channing, and she looked directly at me. Surely she wondered what is this 7 year old doing. I was in love.

[decordan]

@decordan I also had the honor to meet her costar, the late Mr. Eddie Bracken and gratefully received his autograph. 

[newrochellephoenix]

@decordan She Im sure knew-and loved you for doing it.

[pudgeuncle]

All this gushing over the most miscast performance ever. Channing had no business playing a role meant for a real belter. Her singing does not do the score justice. She was not the first choice, not even the second...and for good reason. I find her painful in this part even though I think she is very funny and unique.

[Beregond2]

I never cried so much in a theatre as I did at this. I had seen her once before in the eighties, and wasn't impressed. But this time, she played it with such feeling, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Of course part of that was knowing it was the last time for her.

[rawdonqueen]

I was lucky enough to see Hello Dolly try out in Detroit before it opened on Broadway. Does that date me? For me, the unforgettable number that Miss Channing sang was "Before the parade passes by".

[phantom1897]

This certainly puts a smile on your face. I wish I had been born sooner so I would of been able to see this first hand. Thanks for uploading...it's a great service!!!

[paulswans]

A critic in the 1990's said she was no longer magical - only arthritic.

[RonMotta1972]

@paulswans Heh. I could see that. Sadly, I was still about eight years away from being born when Ms. Channing first decended the stairs, so for me, this was as close as I could get to seeing that production. I'd love to see some of those videoes from 1964 - and agreed that performances NEED to be recorded and perserved.

[carolineorchange21]

@RonMotta1972 check this: type in 'youtube.com' /watch?v=MOQwxup-jv4

[paulswans]

Twice in the 1980's I saw Carol Channing in this role - several years separating each revival. Each time, every gesture, every line was exactly the same - except that the second time she looked and sounded crazed. There are some videos of her in the role soon after it opened in 1964 - she was great - she beat Streisand for Funny Girl in every Broadway award that year. I knew her dresser and his job on tour was to take a seat at the end pf the show and get the audience to give a standing ovation

[RonMotta1972]

Wow. I've loved this show ever since a girl I had a crush on in high school played the lead (yeah, I'm a straight musical theater lover - I'm THAT guy). I saw this production and was just thrilled to see a slice of history and yeah, it was pure magic. I've showed this clip to my two-year-old daughter and she keeps on insisting on watching it, saying "Dolly! Dolly! See Dolly!" (It also helps that I sing this song almost every night before she goes to bed) Thanks!

[hillevifan]

Could you please post "I put my hand in"? It's my FAVORITE number in the musical, even more than this! :D

[Selendomono]

Lol she is THE most untalented person ever and yet THE most talented at the same time... I LOVE it :)

[rootbeeronbroadway]

@Selendomono That would describe her perfectly, and thats also why she's my fav!

[HurleysChild]

Brilliant!

[BrooklynBoy639]

I saw this show in 1994 in Charlotte. NC. When people heard I was going the response was the same, "Why are you doing that?"

My reponse was always the same, "Are you kidding? To get a chance to see Carol Channing do this show, it's part of theatre history."

The only thing better would be to be one of the waiters.

[cats1usa]

One of AMERICA'S Theatrical ROYALTY, gracious enough to REVIVE a Beloved role for 3 Generati9ons to experience LIVE!!!! It rarely ever happens. And in her 70's She's Still Going Strong Here in 1995.

[newrochellephoenix]

And this,my children-is a greatly loved Theater Goddess Diva !

[prmaninla]

I saw this production at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco in 1993. As a SF native there's always been a special relationship between The City and Carol Channing. When she sang the line "it's so nice to be back home where I belong" the show was stopped as all 2400 people rose to their feet to applaud. It was a simply magical moment. And of course a thunderous multi-minute standing ovation at the end. I'm so glad I was able to experience that.

[showtunestarpower]

At long last YOUTUBE give us the penultimate moment in musical theatre history. Beneath all of the brilliant staging is a profound character surrounded by love - rediscovering life. Dolly, Carol Channing, Gower Champion, and Thornton Wilder will NEVER go away!

[newrochellephoenix]

Truly-Mrs Levi is one of the greatest characters ever written !

[DWHaworth]

I had the opportunity to see 'Hello Dolly' when it played in OKC on tour. When the music started and Miss Channing hit the top of the stairs in that red dress it was pure musical theatre history and magic. I remember standing up and applauding with tears running down my face. It was a moment that will never be repeated.

[newrochellephoenix]

Had I been in that audience -Id too be standing,cheering and crying.

[AnnMargretFan]

I have met Carol on 2 occasions now here in Sacramento - pictures, autographs, etc - she is a true icon. On her web site, she has her autobiography available on CD - (9) CD's as she reads to you her life - I love it - remarkable woman!

[car7186]

I had the pleasure of playing in 5 or 6 shows with Carol Channing for Disney World's 25 anniv. in 1997 and it was one of the highlights of my time there. Thanks for the posting!

[rootbeeronbroadway]

ethel merman got nothing on her =)

[VideosTimes2]

I saw this production at the beautiful Ohio Theater in Columbus, Ohio. Channing proved she was a gem with her breath-taking performance. Thanks for preserving this memory. I saw Dolly dozens of times with Gisele MacKenzie, who was simply superb as Dolly, too.

[Dirkdebruyne]

I saw this revival at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in NYC in 1995, that was the week I saw Julie Andrews in Victor /Victoria, Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, Carol Burnett in Moon over Buffalo and ...eh..oh yes, Elaine Stritch in Show Boat...hey, I had nothing else to do so what the heck :-)...

[MikeysGayToday]

@Dirkdebruyne I think I would have EXPLODED!! How awesome! I would have killed to see Carol in Hello Dolly!

[Dirkdebruyne]

@MikeysGayToday , like you I am just as gay today as I was 15 years ago..so no, I didn't explode but I did have multiple showtuneorgasms...I did also see matthew Broderick in "How to Succeed..." that precious week....as he was still cute back then so that was money well spend, no really..a great show..I hear the wizard of Potter is going to do it next, that will be lovely as this will give the poor little boy a chance to shine ànd keep his pants on(I suppose) this time !

[markmh835]

It was my great fortune to see Carol Channing in this production when it toured through Seattle in 1995. I was attending a conference there, and fortuitously scored a same day ticket to go see this show nearby. I was left speechless. Truly one of the great theater moments of my life. Carol Channing remains the original and only Dolly.

[KennethStalsworth]

I saw Mz Channing in Hello Dolly! in the mid-eighties in Nashville. I can recall every moment of that show to this day due to her remarkable performance. Even playing Barnaby in a terrible community theatre production did not tarnish the memory of Carol Channing in this historic role.

[MusicalsFan15]

If i could turn back time, it would be to see Carol in Hello Dolly

[TheReturnOfStephan1]

At Jerry Herman's Hollywood Bowl tribute concert a few years, she was the final Dolly, after a succession of the international versions had descended the staircase. When the spot hit her, the place LIT UP!!!

[pebrogan]

Brilliant. I saw the show in Boston during this tour and it was amazing. I've had the pleasure of working with Carol on two benefits (2007 and 2008) to benefit AIDS and she can still knock 'em dead like no one else. Thanks for sharing this unforgettable number.

[SITZPROBE1]

I was with this company from it's opening in Denver to its closing on Broadway. One thing I remember was watching her in rehearsal and seeing this transformation; it was like watching her in 1964. The years seemed to melt away. Also, her speech to Ephraim (leading into "Before the Parade Passes By" were far more powerful than in 1964---

Her age something to do with this. Far more poignancy.

Remarkable woman and don't let that scatter brain personae fool you; smart as a tack!

[lillybruce]

This is nothing if not a definitive argument that Broadway performances must be preserved on film or tape and available for purchase. The notion that this would in any way diminish the properties or the performances themselves is pure rubbish. The thought of the many seminal performances lost is too much to bear. And what of all the folks out there who could never make it to New York? I treasure the few shows I have on DVD, and would buy every version of my favorites. Hey, Mr. Producer...

[SITZPROBE1]

You are definitely right about so many great performances lost forever.But, the real reluctance has been through the unions and copyright. Directors and Choreographers fighting not to have their work duplicated without getting royalties as well as other creative staff. They've lightened up in the past ten years which is why you see more shows being filmed for DVD. This "Dolly" was filmed for the Lincoln Center Library; you can go and view it. The rest, including this tape, filmed illegally.Eh.

[newrochellephoenix]

Ive read that a new filming of Dolly was being planned . Id be happy if Carol,even now at her age , were to do a recorded from the stage production .

[newrochellephoenix]

Ive read that in this 1994 production when Carol came down the stairs-it was pure theatre magic .

[carolineorchange21]

I think every time Carol came down the stairs it was magic ;)

[newrochellephoenix]

Darn right !!!

[SMCact]

please post more. we did this version 6 years ago. i've got to see more. it was my first big show and i didnt know how special it was when i was 11.

[paulstud]

These clips are amazing, esp Sunday Clothes. Thanks so much for posting them. Do you have Dancing?

[jimk0403]

Yes, she's a little long in the tooth, but Lord knows Channing owns this role and has earned the right to play it any time she wants, and aren't we luckier for it! Thanks for positing!