Bob Downe Special - ANTHONY NEWLEY (ITV 1996)

[75amoeba]

Anthony Newley. What a truly brilliant performer.

[vinegate]

There`s a very small number of true "greats" whom I wish I`d taken to the time to see while they were here - Anthony Newley is one of them

[Dirkdebruyne]

as Bob Downe(really haven't got a clue who he is...neither does this little taster provoke me to find out more..)is here on this forum defending this show and his "respect" for Newley we must assume that it was done as sort of a campy tribute...maybe Newley even suggested some of it, who knows..he wasn't exactly known for consistency in good taste, I still find it sad that we are left with this as sort of a last visual/vocal farewell to a very talented man ..oh well...

[bobdowne4real]

Well, Dirkdebruyne, I guess you should feel free to post your last tribute to Newley then.

[bastardfingers]

@Dirkdebruyne perhaps you don't understand. It's humour. Bob Downe is a genuine fan but he's a comedian. Do you think Morcambe and Wise did not have 'good taste' when they did comedic sketches with their guest artists? Maybe you're just hater?

[bobdowne4real]

STOP FIGHTING!! I hate it when you all fight. ;-) hehe

...for the record, Dirkdebruyne, when I invited Newley to do my Special with me, it was a dream come true when he said an enthusiastic Yes. He was well aware of my act (unlike you) as I'd worked occasionally on London radio with his daughter Tara and was doing quite a bit of UK telly at the time. When it came to planning the show and rehearsals, Newley said to me, quite simply: "Do whatever you want, I'll fit in."

[bobdowne4real]

(Cont'd) ...It was the highest compliment a solo entertainer could pay another solo entertainer. He trusted and liked me and we had an absolute ball all through the rehearsals and shoot. It was a delightful experience. As for our 'chat', I basically just turned his existing stage monologues into a question-and-answer form, setting up his well honed punchlines. Best of all, at the end of the show, under the title roll music, he hugged me warmly & whispered in my ear: "You've really got it."

[klickenpod]

2:00, I think somebody wants Newley to collect their cream!

[GreatPuppetShow]

I saw Anthony Newley perform as Chaplin in the musical Chaplin at the Los Angeles Music Center. He was amazing and the show was fantastic. He moved just like Chaplin and did a drunken Madem Butterfinger routine in the show. The best.

[ScrittiSparkle]

ive just shown my daughter anthony newley in the film oliver twist when he was a boy and then this,when he was older,i loved him on this show,he joined in the laughs and mickey taking,and i love this show,and anthony and bob too,im so sorry anthony died,i wont forget him.

[JekyllBoote]

Newley certainly was a genius. Needless to say, when he died, the BBC said next to nothing about him in tribute (except to mention his fleeting involvement in their soap opera, "EastEnders"). (Patrick McGoohan did even worse out of the BBC when he died - they didn't mention him at all.)

I'm aware of Newley's influence on Bowie, and listening to this rendition of "The Candy Man" I can only speculate on what his version of "Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud" or "Word On A Wing" would have been like.

[bobdowne4real]

Can you imagine how fab a Bowie tribute album by Newley would have been? Bowie could have returned the favour... and they could've done UNDER PRESSURE on both albums!! ;-)

[JekyllBoote]

Definitely a missed opportunity for both artists! (Who knows, though? Bowie is - thankfully - still with us.)

[75amoeba]

Newley was a genius.

[gailmiller2004]

Is Bob Downe really Ellen Degeneres????

[Pamathey]

LOL I was just wondering something very similar. Or is she him?!

[bobdowne4real]

You've got me. I am a lesbian! ;-) hehe

[nthglasScotland]

Even as a gay man I could never stand Bob Downe. Thankfully we haven't seen from him in the uk in years lol. Anthony Newley is a sadly missed talent but his music lives on.

[bobdowne4real]

Isn't that funny? Cos I haven't missed you either! ;-)

[Kinkyking1965]

Oh Bob,you just made me choke on my tea,........love ya...i miss ya...xx

[reetpeet]

@bobdowne4real I've missed you, Bob!! Please come back to Swindon. U.K. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaa­aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssss­eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! :-)

[luisminumerouno]

I used to love Anthony Newley(i was very young) i used to have a signed LP of his , Mum let me have a day off school and i saw him at a record signing in Manchester at Lewis,s you know that LP was very good, he sang as i thought properly not in that sort of funny voice, i played it over and over and i loved the songs.

[priapus56]

Blimey, from a distance I thought it was Gordon Brown!!

[bobdowne4real]

HE DOES LOOK LIKE GORDON BROWN! That's too hilarious. ;-)

[josephdupont]

I miss Anthony Newley..

[bobdowne4real]

WOW. Vegas is such a different thing these days. (mind you, Bette Midler wil be fun!) i totally adore Johnny Mathis... have you seen his Mancini medley on Sullivan (around 66)with Mancini conducting the orchestra? it is unbelievable, i'll post it.

[cherryvanilla48]

I saw his show at The Diplomat in Miami, it was the most wonderful live performance I have ever seen in my life...to this day.

[bobdowne4real]

WOW... what year was that?

[cherryvanilla48]

74? 75? something like that....it was incredible. I have seen every great performance from Yul Brynner in King to Johnny Mathis (14 times). and Mitzi Gaynor around the same time, the biggest headliner in Vegas. Tony Newley was The Man. The Deal. The Package. None other.

[75amoeba]

COME BACK TONY.

[Hickey66]

Bob Dwowe where has he gone. I loved that fellow. If I went out and wanted to take my girl to a show it would be Bob Downe.

Can anyone on youtube tell me Is bob okay?

[bobdowne4real]

Aw, sweetheart..!! I'M FINE. living and working out of Sydney these days, that's all. bring her down and see me here!

BOB (MARK)

[brianflanagan71]

how do i get a full 1 man show of anthony newley

[bobdowne4real]

I'm actually wondering if one exists - either on audio or video. Surely he MUST have made a live album at some point - hopefully in the mid-late 60s!!

[adamgray83]

Marti Webb said he was at his best in cabaret, so it would be an incredible shame if there isn't a live album floating about.

[bobdowne4real]

Surely there must be! It would be esp. great if there was a Live album from the 60s. Any clues anyone? And Marti was right - he was AMAAAZING in cabaret, I saw his last London cabaret shows at the Green Room in 1996 and he was so great, I invited him to appear on my TV special... I couldn't believe it when he accepted AND agreed to sing with me! :-)

- BOB (MARK)

[Bklyn4ever]

Bob/Mark, In the early 1980s the U.S. Cable station HBO broadcast a live show of his from Monte Carlo. They probably still have the rights and could release it on DVD if they wished. Tony also did a single "pilot" variety show called THE ANTHONY NEWLEY SHOW with Liza Minnelli and Dianne Carroll for U.S. network TV in 1970. That could also be released. Wouldn't that be great?

[bobdowne4real]

WOW... both shows would be so great to track down!

I think I remember seeing an excerpt from the Monte Carlo show - it used to be broadcast on Aussie TV.

thanks for that! MARK (BOB)

[accomplice55]

Indio, I agree with you...and Jerry Orbach was right up there, too.

[raymonda100]

I had the amazing good fortune of seeing him in Stop the World and Roar of the Greasepoint. He was fabulous.

[accomplice55]

I'm so jealous!! :)

[Indio156]

Tony was my first crush, and along with Gwen Verdon, I think he was the greatest ever star Broadway ever saw. There will never be another Gwen Verdon or Tony Newley. I was so lucky to see them both live, many times, here in NYC.

[bobdowne4real]

i ADORE Gwen Verdon - that 'Mexican Breakfast' dance number from Ed Sullivan is so wonderful. BOB x

[nicklewin1]

Thanks for posting this GREAT and historic clip. Newley was such a genius in so many areas. My Hero!

[Gimm3Shelter]

I wish I could find Anthony singing "Beautiful Things" from Dr Doolittle - I memorized that entire song for a girl I had a crush on in grade school :)

[jlwash51]

I ordered the DVD from Amazon, and now I can watch him sing it any time, it is wonderful . . . Newley is even better than I remember him!

[gordonl]

He's a genius but who thinks Anthony Newley looks just like our current Prime Minister - Gordon Brown?

[ivorbigunzz]

Funny how we British never recognise world class talent in our own Island.

[lenegan]

A legend..no question.. He's missed! To you Tony!

[Indio156]

Tony is still the sexiest man EVER, imo.When I was about 10, I was there for the opening of Greasepaint on Bway. My Grandmother was a vocal coach for the lead "tramp" and also Tony when he started to get throat trouble. I CHERISH THIS VIDEO. He was my first crush. And the greatest talent B'way ever saw. And I mean, better than Liza, and all the rest. I wish I was born earlier, then I could've been one of his wives! LOL! Do you have more Tony Vids to share? Pleeeeze???

[markman]

Just a tremendous live entertainer. Saw him in the late 70's and he gave a memorable performance.

[neacy222]

I was at the recording of this show,it was very funny, we sat in the front and I remember Martine eating the sweets while wating to do her bit, thanks for bringing happy memories to the surface, I had completly forgotten all about this until I came across this,thanks for posting this.

[bobdowne4real]

How wonderful you were there! What a terrifying, exhilarating night... my Mum, Dad AND sis were all there from Australia! And Paul O'Grady AND Julian Clary.

[Bklyn4ever]

Gosh I love Tony and wish he were still with us.

[bobdowne4real]

Couldn't agree more! along with great but almost-forgotten and unique artists like Frances Faye and Jonah Jones, i think people will appreciate him more as the years go on.

[Bklyn4ever]

Thanks Bob and thanks for hosting him so near the end of his life--who knew he'd be gone so soon? My favorite TV appearance of his is "Little Miss Show Biz" from the Carol Burnet Show (U.S.) circa 1970.

[bobdowne4real]

WOW... i gotta see that!! can you anyone post it??

[Bklyn4ever]

Sorry I'm not able to post it, but maybe someone who has it ("Little Miss Show Biz", a Shirley Temple parody) from CAROL BURNETT'S PERSONAL BEST (vol. 1, I think) will be able to.

[75amoeba]

ANTHONY NEWLEY, MAGNIFICENT.

[ZeldaZonk69]

booooooooooooobbbbbbbb

how are ya babe!!!

great to see you

xx

[antelope19]

That was fantastic! SO FUNNY!!! Hey, when are you doing shows in Australia again? Please please please come to Perth! I promise I'll see your show even if my mother is dead. I'll see it twice!

[nikovich]

Mark - this is great footage, and you are as absolutely hilarious as usual . i swear i have never laughed so much in my life when I saw you live in London - you must do more slurring when you sing - it kills me hahah !

[bobdowne4real]

;-) Ta nikovich! I'm hoping to do London shows in September - if Edinburgh is confirmed for Aug (which it should be soon)... I'd really like to be in a cabaret setting, and someone recommended the Pigalle on Piccadilly as a good venue, anyone agree?

[jeffryfourmile]

Oooooooh Edinburgh Fest with Bob - swoons!!! London too - 'citing!!!

[bearznorthCATHY]

I have most of his LPs, and I'm willing to sell....

[bobdowne4real]

Not so interested in records/CDs (which are available), more interested in those wacky 50s/60s films he made!

[paulhunt1]

Dear Bob, There are very few entertainers who have the indefinable presence of a Newley. I saw him about 15 years ago in Sydney. The movies are great but it is well nigh impossible to find any of his concert performances. I'd love one. The other entertainer who had that 'it' factor was Bobby Darin. Not to mention yourself, of course.

[rlburns]

Newley and Darin were my favorites. Got to meet both of them. The segment of the Downe show was obviously near the end of his life.

He handled the hosts goofiness well, the host just didn't really know the depth of a career that Newley had.

[singingkid]

Hmmm, Mark? You, or me? :)

[bobdowne4real]

OH YES I DID.

[GOONERCHRIS53]

@bobdowne4real Then you should have shown more respect for such a great man!

[bobdowne4real]

Does anyone have any of Newley's 50s & 60s movies? they'd be such a treat to see - esp. the musical numbers!! ;-)

[margaretcanton]

I have "Sweet November," which Newley made with Sandy Dennis. My thumbnail review: he stole the movie right out from under her. It's not a musical, although he does sing the title song over the credits. The man was a genius, to have done as much as he did in that particular "romantic comedy," which wasn't at all funny. His performance in it was fantastic.

[davidrboyle]

Hi Mark,

wanted to say thank you for posting this, it's great to see Newley, so very rare to see him, seems people too easily forget these great talents. If you're ever in London be sure to see our show of the great man.

All the best

David

[jgower]

Thanks for posting this - always great to see footage of the great Anthony Newley - what an amazing talent he was.

[bobdowne4real]

It was a deep thrill to work with him - he was an utter pro, funny and charming from first meeting thru to rehearsals and the shoot. During our final bows, he hugged me and whispered in my ear "You've really got it..." OMG ;-) I then saw him in SCROOGE at the Dominion Theatre - in which he was mesmerising. We went backstage and chatted while he ate dinner - delivered nightly from the Ivy Restaurant! That's the kinda Show Biz I want to be a part of!!! LOL