Ethel Merman sings Cole Porter (vaimusic.com)

[ormandy]

Splendid and Classic! 

[MrBroadwayHollywood]

Merman was Magnificent. The greatest star that ever appeared on the boards.

[Ruby445]

If you don't like her enunciation or diction or tempi, go find one of the little soubrettes which seem to be bred in captivity, cannot be differentiated from one another, and whose moment(s) on Broadway will soon be forgotten and let the rest of us glory in the unique and unforgettable sound of a legend.

[Jigglesw]

I lov ethis video of her :D

[TheDaguerreotypist]

i occasionally hear people saying such rude things about ethel merman, and i really can't understand why... while i tend to prefer judy garland's version of "do i love you" for the more technical and sentimental aspect of it, ethel merman had a great vibe about her... the over-the-top campy style that has been emulated by broadway greats for decades, and i think she's wonderful.... truly a great entertainer, even if her voice wasn't the best; she made it interesting for people to listen to...

[dawg9live]

Well, to all you people with negative comments about the GREAT MERMAN, My Grandmother, a true STRONG Southern Lady said, "Well, its like this, ever'body's got a butt hole, but ain't ever' body that wants to hear 'em".....Aint it da TRUFF BABIES!!!!

[24kevinB]

The greatest talents have come and gone. Stuff we see on tv now days does not hold a candle to this. Films and song performances used to be more dramatic and theatrical. They are missed.

[damone77]

And eventhough the Merm was a star in the true sense of the word, she still managed to find time at a hospital gift shop! This woman was wonderful!

[v0zbox]

Let me preface this comment by saying that Ethel Merman was one of a kind and came to define and enrich an entire era of musical theatre, but I have to say her harsh releases (i.e. you = yoo-wah) is distracting during the first half of the number. Stylistically it makes more sense when the tempo picks up, but over-annunciation can bring more ballad-like pieces down. Still, what a voice!

[alxscrz]

I've only heard Ethel in Gypsy and call me madam. She belts most of the songs in Gypsy. Her voice seems so soft in this video, I love it. I have to listen to more of her recordings. Thanks for posting the video

[olbrych82]

when did you ever really hear her and she was terrible more like always terrific

[nmcaia]

I saw her live in "Gypsy" and singing with Judy Garland at a taping of that show. Simply amazing voice in person. Loud. Small woman. This recording doesn't really help her voice.

She even did a disco recording!

[54spiritedwill54]

Fantastic words can't even explain how good she is....

[OldieMusicMan]

What a clip. Ethel Merman's singular singing, and Cole Porter's wonderful songs -- wonderful. I love how classy these old entertainers were. Too bad there are so few left nowadays.

[JGC1010]

Okay, I agree Porter is tremendous, a genius. But Merman? Her voice is shrill, a skreech...of an overblown hag. We had to suffer through listening to this tone-deaf loudmouth for way, way too long.

[elliott021]

@JGC1010

I agree. Ethel Merman couldn't sing as far as I am concerned.

[Ruby445]

@elliott021 The Merms didn't sing, she was Merman and what came out was unique and kept her a star without imitation for 50 years. And I am sure she had some salty remarks for you and olbrych82

[elliott021]

@Ruby445

You're right. Ethel Merman DIDN'T sing. BTW, she's dead.

[Ruby445]

@elliott021Of course she's dead--for quite a few years now. But were she here and should she have heard what you had to say she would have burned the hair of your head with her remarks. Her voice had a unique volume control and enunciation of lyrics with just the right emphasis on certain words--a voice no other person comes close to having except Patti Lupone when she is in her Merman mood.

[Ruby445]

@elliott021 NO!!!!!?????!!!!! For some twenty or so years she's been dead. I am sorry you don't like the unique quality of her singing in which she carries the orchestra and the melody with a special volume control mounted on just the right emphasis in the lyrics which she so carefully enunciated. There was never a question about what she was saying when she sang and never a problem about hearing her all the way back to the last row.

[rayzer1]

AHH! The good OLD days.

[andrebreton4]

When I look at this stuff, I wonder why we gave up an interest in talent over....what ever it is most actors are vomiting over us. Do any of them possess any talent? For Hollywood, which (traditionally) is supposed to be a community of artists, I haven't seen much in my lifetime (80's, kid). Can any of them dance, sing, write, choreograph or live with out CG. I might actually pay for a movie again if they did.

[fabrizzzio48]

Right on the dot.

I have not paid for one in many, many years, and I'm a big movie fan, but they lost me a long time ago.

Their strategy is the following, since they, (producers, CEO's) are a shitless, untalented bunch, let's feed the audience crap.

That way, they think that Crap is the best possible product out there. Publicized Crap, expensive Crap, "glamourous" Crap, in other words, "Hollywood" Crap.

And honoring that Crap, we award ourselves, awards, for our "greatest' Crap. Now, Clap!

[melissamann1000]

Hi, check out Tracy Ullman, Catherine Zeta Jones and Kevin Spacey. They are really good (especially Ullman and Spacey) they are triple threats (can sing, act and dance). Also the gorgeous Richard Gere. Check out the underrated but fabulous Cotton Club. Gere is an incredibly talented musician. My favourite pair of all time are Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, the acting may not have been fabulous but the music is sublime. Look for Al Jolson, and Eddy Cantor on youtube.

[JudgeJulieLit]

And in 2003 film "Chicago," Richard Gere's deserved Golden Globe best acting, and his delightfully deft courtroom tapdancing and wholehearted hamminess onstage as Billy Flynn -- as ventriloquist w/ Roxie Hart as dummy, and as male center divo in Busby Berkeleyesque number. And he had been Danny Zuko in first Bway "Grease."

[multiph]

@andrebreton4 an exception: The Producers (musical) with Nathan Lane & Co. Of course an old school man, Mel Brooks, was behind of that spectacular ... and he did dance (The History of the World, part 1), write (a lot), sing (in most his films) and compose (... of course an arranger was helping him out, but still).

[SesaruCatalonia]

That more delicious epoch for the cinema, the music, the big voices... Brave Ethel Merman, Brave Cole Porter, Brave the United States of the 30s, 40s and 50s.

[yodavidnavarro]

No voice like hers

Never...

[steverlastingo]

just wonderful

[GoodbyeToBlueberyPie]

This was Merman's voice in its iconic prime. After two years on Broadway as Rose in "Gypsy", two subsequent years touring with the show, a mix on concerts and the 1966 revival of "Annie Get Your Gun" she was in rare form during this time in her career. Love it!

[kenslavin1961]

I love her! What showmanship!!!

[stefakamelpash]

I got my first lesson in professionalism from Ethel Merman. I was touring with a show doing the Melody Fair circuit of summer theater-in-the-round shows, back in 1964. She had a one woman show that was touring just ahead of us. We arrived early and caught her last show before she moved on. There were only about 75 people in that giant tent. She came out and gave the same slam-bang performance she would give to 5,000 people. She was a pro from top to bottom-a great woman and gret performer.

[godlordy]

Very touching

[JocularityProds]

If you like Ethel Merman, you might enjoy our sketch "Full Metal Merman".

YOu can watch by clicking on our 'JocularityProds' link & the video is on our page.

[happymike44]

Ethel Merman ws meant to sing Cole Porter songs.What a great singer,has been long time since she has been with us.Never know how much you will miss someone till the artist is gone.Thank You to the persons who downloaded it.

[Montavani]

Thanks happymike44 . . . could not have said it better myself . . .

[happymike44]

Your Welcome as I get older those people who provided the soundtrack to my life are slowly leaving us.

But thanks to all the great people who download videos.

These singers get a fresh audience to hear them and they live on.

Like Abba said Thank you for the music these songs just get better with age.

[Montavani]

Exactly! happymike44 . . . I know precisely what you mean and very much appreciate what's being shared such as this . . . I also know and love that Abba selection . . . be well.

[MarciaJoan1939]

and she never had one voice lesson.coleporter orter maid her promis never to take one.

[rockanoarkennels]

it was actually George Gershwin when she had the tryout for her 1932 film "Girl Crazy"

[rockanoarkennels]

Ethel Held the note for 32 bars, people say it was 16 but she says it was 32 bars.

[originalfunkyfry]

she was actually in the original stage version of "Girl Crazy" the previous year, but that's correct essentially (or correct to the story, who knows if it really happened lol)

[rockanoarkennels]

Oh yea sorry the stage number.....my bad...

[Pacabelle]

I wonder if anyone has got Ella Fitzerland's rendition of DO I LOVE YOU. It's exquisite!!

[rockanoarkennels]

I keep flipping through to this video and every time I watch it I think OH MY GOD THIS WOMAN CAN SING! It gives me shivers listening to her sing. The voice she had was so very incredibly special. I wish people could sing like that today!

[tinie914]

Do you have any more clips from this show? Any involving Eydie Gorme!

[jacobsimon]

The Merm!

[dustinhofan]

ethel was quite jewish.. born ethel zimmerman

[algabal]

Her religion was Protestant though.

[algabal]

"Merman's father was German American and Lutheran, and her mother was Scottish American and Presbyterian; she was baptized Episcopalian."

[paulostroff99]

Gregg30-I now would love to further enlighten you -by informing you of a fine internet encyclopedia called wikipedia.Knowing of it's existence would have made your search so much easier.wikipedia knows all,and is the encyclopedia brittanica of the internet.German lutheran father,and scottish american mother.Baptized episcopalian.Agnes Ethel Zimmerman at birth.Hopefully this news will now make you a much happier person.Better that it had made you a better person as well.

[Gregg30]

Don't forget to take your meds.

[paulostroff99]

I'm getting so forgetful.I now take them only when I remember to!The other times-I don't.

[paulostroff99]

Would you love her and/or her music more-were she not Jewish? How sad a lot you bigots are.Are your souls really that shallow?I pity you,and your need to subject others who come here for the music,to your sick and pathetic minds.God forgive you.

[victoryguy]

So good to see Ethel in her prime. Superb.

[Gregg30]

Her prime lasted a long time. She's 56 here.

[rockanoarkennels]

Fantastic words can't even explain how good she is....

[Sargenet]

Glorious Ethel--how thrilling to hear these Porter renditions!!! Thanks a million.

[Musclevideofreak]

Perfect......Ethel & Cole Porter, what a duo ! Thanks for posting.

[rockanoarkennels]

I wake up in the morning just to hear Ethel sing!

[gymnastix]

I have read that Ethel Merman, contrary to some assumption, was not Jewish but Protestant, and of German & Scottish ancestry.

Zimmerman is a German surname, but not nessarily Jewish. In fact, most of Germany is predomiantly Protestant, Catholic secondarily, the Jews the third-largest religion, as with the U.S.

This I know personally, as my friend's husband is a Zimmerman of Protestant faith.

[paulostroff99]

FYI,there are 3 million muslims in Germany.This is far more than the tiny number of Jews that live in Germany.For the sake of credibility,I suggest that you check more carefully your facts before making such claims.And yes,she was Jewish,much as you seem to want her to not have been.

[Gregg30]

I just got the latest bio of Merman and she was not Jewish.

[paulostroff99]

I'm so truly happy for you.I suppose that you shall now love her to desth ,for not being one of them!Her music will also sound so much better as well.

[dorts211]

bravo to you paulostrff99 and BRAVA to ethel!!

[paulostroff99]

Thank you!

[rockanoarkennels]

Gregg30 is correct....Ethel was not Jewish. Ethel is of Protestant Faith. When she had her two children she applied to her husband at the time (Robert Levitt) that she wanted them to be Episcopalian. Levitt altough was a Jewish man. Merman: An Autobiography by George Eells would be a great reading for you if you are not sure....You should read the book and then see what she really was instead of going around and judging her when you really don't know a thing about her!

[paulostroff99]

I strongly suggest a reading course for you-along with a vision test.Nowhere was there even a mention of nastiness to this lady,and your news is about s old as last months newspapers.This issue has been long resolved,and does not need the distorted views of yet another.

[rockanoarkennels]

I dont Think this issue was resolved and I would rather you get your facts straight. And Wikiepidia is not a accurate source...They have in fact messed up her age 1908-1984. Ethel was born in 1906, though she regards it. So I wouldnt depend on them for information. Her books are a great read and you can learn a lot from them. I read all your comments and I dont think any of them are wise for education. So I will definitely give my rather 'distorted' views If I think something needs to be said.

[paulostroff99]

Wikipedia is as Churchill said of democracy.Democracy is not perfect,but it is the best system that he knows of!

[damone77]

Well the new Brian Kellow bio states that Ethel was born in 1908. I highly suggest this bio, as it is superlatively written and tells a great deal about a great lady of the theatre and movies and television. I want to go to the Museum of television and radio and see if they have Ethel's dramatic Part "Honest in the Rain"

[damone77]

Also read the new Brian Kellow Bio on Ethel. It's wonderful!

[ragtime1925]

Yes, I have read it. Wonderfull book. Dirty but very satisfactory! I also recommend Brass Diva by Carol Flynn, that is a good one too. There are so many reports on Ethel's age I dont know what to think anymore, 1902,1906,1908,1912,1919,1918,­1910 I have heard them ALL!!

[damone77]

Yes it has that fudge story...and if you want to know about it read the book! I'm glad that you read it ragtime; I have no affiliation with the book but think it's the best tome written abou the Merm!

[omaghjeff]

In a 1977 interview with Gene Shalit she said ther that she was 65 so that put her back around 1912,though she did mention that people were quoting her age then as 68.

[mssp09]

I came from the same neighborhood in Queens,New York as Ethel Merman. Not that it matters but she was of German and Scottish extraction and both parents were Christian. Zimmerman, her real last name is German. Some Jewish people from that area of Europe happen to also have that name which is why she is mistakingly identified as being Jewish. But why should anyone care what she was? It's Rediculous!!

[paulostroff99]

She was wonderful,and I love her whatever her faith was.FYI there is no such thing as a Jewish name.Though I believed her to have been Jewish-my purpose- unlike the bigots was not to judge her other than musically.

[windstorm1000]

@paulostroff99 You are 99% right--The one exception: I've been told "Kahn" or "Cohn" means 'teacher' in Hebrew...Al the other ones are derivatives of whatever the countries of the diaspora of Jews went to. Am I accurate here?

[Aviva2121]

@windstorm1000: Hi, I'm not sure what the context of your question was but the surname 'Cohen' and it's other variations you mention mean 'priest' in Hebrew, not 'teacher'. Amongst the Orthodox Jews it still refers to the hereditary patrilineal line of of cohens ie: priests descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses.

[paulostroff99]

This information is correct.Although your info on the third largest religion in Germany (and probably in the U.S.) Is totally way off-your info on this was correct.I have not found it important enough to research the american statistics,but should it be important to you-I will.

[cavaradossij]

Cole Porter said he always tried to put the word 'TERRIFIC' in her songs as she was the only one who could make terrific sound Terrific, Her real name was Ethel Zimmerman, born to Jewish Scottish parents, she was a trained stenographer, and done all her own legal documents

[Montavanni]

Just wonderful! Thank you so much for this.

[riteoncue]

no question remains...she is the best!

[tmmywrst]

do I love Porter and Merman...man DO I!!!!

[olbrych82]

Is this still available on the market to buy? I don't have and I want it.

[willowbarcelona]

thank you for this!