Energetic production number from 1936

[GeoStrum3]

I challenge any film maker today to do a sequence like this.

[torrents4u2c]

I remember Ethel Merman doing live shows on television in 50's. She still had that great voice.

[tvgal001]

I have fallen in love with Sunnie O'Dea. Does anyone know what else she was in?

[capillarian187]

Good God. Play some electro house over this and you'll realize she is b-boying the shit out of the other dancers. And at least half a century before anyone else started doing it..

[35westst]

It doesn't matter. Al jolson couldn't sing either, he had a terrible, raspy voice, and could barely carry a tune. But...what a personality and what "delivery." Same with this lady. Great performers both of them.

[tapdancegirl88]

God i wish that i could see her precious shoe metal taps

[cosycleaner]

Gosh, trying to listen to Merman is like facing an artillery barrage, keep your head down and sit it out...

[a07002]

WOW! Sunnie O'Dea was terrific! Why haven't we seen more of her?

[sgabrelcik]

This is a production number from Strike Me Pink (1936). The movie featured Ethel Merman and Eddie Cantor. The choreographer is Robert Alton, who mimicked the style of Busby Berkeley, who had choreographed earlier Cantor movie musicals.

[InowOwn3Hammonds]

Please retitle it so when you search Merman - this comes up ! Lots of people are missing it. Is it credited with a choreographer? Kind of reminds me of Seymour Felix from Ziegfeld.

The song isn'tmemorable but the production kicks butt. ..Nice of you to post this !

[hebneh]

I've liked this number a lot ever since I saw it on TV in 1967. I think Ethel is just fine in it, both in looks and voice. Yeah, she sang loud - but that's her thing.

The perfectly mirrored floor adds a lot.

[bchfront]

The gentleman on either-end of this scene, holding the roses, was an actor of the silent-days, who only a decade before, had been a leading-man,named Jack Mulhall. Everytime my grandfather would take me to lunch at "The Masquers Club", he would be sitting at a table, playing cards with director Ray Enright. Nice man, by the way. I'm not a technical-guy, but it's obvious that they used a "split-screen" to effect the tap-dance. Gregg Toland, probably. The piano solo on this is outstanding!

[blvdmaster]

@bchfront: When did you visit the Masquers?

[betteroffsingle]

will never understand her success. always off key and outta tune but LOUD. But then, loud covers lack of ability to actually carry a tune.

Like today's so called musical acts.

[perfectjazz78]

I must totally disagree: I have posted a clip of here singing a softer musical number and she pulls it off very well. Ever heard her 2 Victor 78s from 1932 ? I have both and she sings softly and beautifully on them !

Victor 24145: SATAN'S LITTLE LAMB

Victor 24145:I'VE GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES

Victor 24146 HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN

Victor 24146 I'LL FOLLOW YOU

Now I will admit that I like Lillian Roth's voice better though.

[songplugger]

Shhhh...I know you might start a riot if you admit that. Like you, I love Ethel..but....shhhh..I like Lillian Roth better too!! :)

[MANFROMMARS46]

I must admit I tend to share betteroffsingle's view of Ethel Merman. She was loud and rather hoarse I think. What she did have was lots of enthusiasm and vitality and that counts for a lot. However I did think that Sunnie Odea was quite brilliant though I'm no judge. I understand from a friend that Eleanor Powell was the best tap dancer of all time so I don't know where this performance sits in the firmament of tap dance.

[SpaceComics]

This was from the Eddie Cantor film Strike Me Pink. I wonder how they got the reflection to dance.

[songplugger]

GREAT clips indeed!

I think this is the only time Merman sang Arlen in a musical....

[WillardPugh]

These Merman posts are fabulous! This is her finest period, IMHO, and these clips show us exactly why the public, composers and producers were crying for more. Keep 'em coming!

[Montavanni]

I agree . . . and not many recognize that . . . thanks for posting these gems.