South Pacific - A Cockeyed Optimist - Mary Martin - Dites-Moi - Twin Soliloquies

The opening scene of the 1952 London production, with Mary Martin and Wilbur Evans.
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Category:

Music

Tags:

• South
• Pacific
• Mary
• Martin
• Cockeyed
• Optimist
• Dites-Moi
• Twin
• Soliloquies
• Rodgers
• Hammerstein
• Broadway
• musical
• yt:quality=high

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steph42uk

This is marvelous to see!

DeanLeonard1

This is amazing--a filmed record of a legendary show! Thank you!

Redearedslider

Thanks!

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timjay77

This is incredible. For its age (1952) and for not being filmed professionally, this is actually very good quality, sound and picture. Amazing.

missfatty196

1 agree...Mary Martin rules...too bad we don't have the original with Ezio Pinza

roger20hot

WOW

OldieMusicMan

This is the greatest sort of treasure for any theater lover! Thanks a hell of a lot for sharing it. Incredible!

[dmnemaine]

@RockersonBwaySandy

No, I did not see that performance, but I find Mary Martin's to be very realistic, natural, and believable. She was Nellie Forbush.

[waynebrasler]

Mary Martin originated the role. Anyone who followed, no matter how wonderful, had the advantage of Martin's concept to build on. So comparing Martin and anyone who followed is not working on level ground. Martin and Pinza participated significantly in the shaping of the original show with Rodgers and Hammerstein. The gorgeous "Twin Soliloquies" resulted from Martin saying she couldn't do a duet with Pinza as his operatic voice would overwhelm her winsome soprano.

[steph42uk]

I agree completely with waynebrasler no one could ever equal Mary in her performance as couldn't anyone equal Enzio Pinza' performance they must come very very close but as wayne say's you MUST remember that both Mary Martin & Ezio Pinza actually worked with the writer's Rodgers & Hammerstein and created and shaped these roles for others to follow. I twas no accident that Rodgers & Hammerstein created some of their best work for her and the music they gave her to sing .

[dstumpf1]

Jesus, Josh Logan sure didn't know how to direct kids!

[busby1959]

@RockersonBwaySandy Now there's a loaded statement. Did you actually see Mary Martin's live performance in order to make such a definitive comparison or are you carrying on the unfortunate and misguided habit many people perprtuate by assuming that if something is recent, it must be better than the original because it's, like, old and stuff?

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@dmnemaine

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You should see Kelli's performance. We love Mary, but Kelli was outstanding. And her Southern accent brought a real authenticity to the role.

[RockersonBwaySandy]

@dmnemaine I guess you didn't see Kelly O'Hara in the Lincoln Center Theater revival because her performance is far superior to Mary Martin's--much more realistic, natural and believable...and utterly charming

[dmnemaine]

From just that opening sequence, Mary Martin blows away any other Nellie Forbush that I've ever seen. She was perfectly cast in the role. Her natural delivery of the lines is exactly how I picture a young woman from Arkansas would speak them.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Astounding. This is like a dream come true. Thank you!!!