Printer Friendly - re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by TabooPhan1 2007-07-15 23:47:57
What are some favorite Merman quotes you have? I personally can't choose just one...
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by G_Schlozinski2 2007-07-15 23:50:39
the story i have in mind can't be told here.
but you'll get the drift if i tell you it involves miss merman in her dressing room with a hand mirror, and the arrival of a young assistant stage manager... "five minutes, miss merman..."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by morosco 2007-07-16 09:24:25
My favorite was a quote that appeared in the book "Broadway Day and Night". Merman visited Harvey Firestein in his dressing room after a performance of TORCH SONG TRILOGY and he asked her what she thought of the play.
MERMAN: I thought it was a piece of sh*t but everyone around me was screaming and laughing so what the f*ck do I know?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gothampc 2007-07-16 09:26:58
"If people could do what I do, they'd be up here doing it."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by morosco 2007-07-16 09:32:38
"Broadway has been very good to me. But then, I've been very good to broadway."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by madbrian 2007-07-16 09:36:04
"Elaine, just go to New Haven and sing the f'in song"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-16 10:09:31
"Nice voice. Nice dress. Dyke, ya know."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-16 10:10:39
"Where the FUCK does that kid get a mouth like that?!?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-16 10:11:35
And, of course, the ultimate:
"Call me Miss Bird's Eye, but this show is FROZEN!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by JoeKv99 2007-07-16 10:19:07
My favorite (toher 2 youngs kids as they walked around Central Park) "You don't want to go to the zoo, you don't want to play on the swings, what the fcuk DO you want to do?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by allofmylife 2007-07-16 11:29:07
Ernest Borgnine allegedly said his marriage to the Merm only lasted days for one reason. Who wants to wake up to a woman screaming "HEY ERNIE!!!!!!!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gypsy9 2007-07-16 12:53:10
Regarding a young actress who was late for her entrances in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, Merman wanted her fired. When the stage manager mentioned that the actress was a protege of Richard Rodgers (the producer) Merman replied, "I don't give a damn--tell him to go fu*k himself! I want her fired!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Broadwayboy2631 2007-07-16 13:20:48
They dont make fantastic divas like Merman anymore...
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-16 13:57:22
And when she summoned Jerry Orbach to her dressing room during the Granny Get Your Gun revival, demanding to know what he was "doing" upstage of her during one of her scenes.
"Nothing, Miss Merman," he protested.
"You are too, Orbach. I got eyes in the back of my head."
"Honest, Miss Merman," he pleaded. "All I'm doing is reacting."
"I knew it!" Merman crowed. "Let's make a deal--you don't react to ME and I won't react to YOU. Deal?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by jv92 2007-07-16 14:35:47
Not a quote, but a funny Merman story-
There was the time when Donna McKechnie was on tour with her in some show (Call Me Madam?). It was her last night and she began to cluck in the middle of a scene and make rather odd faces. Donna thought she was having a stroke. Turns out it was an old vaudeville tradition. On a performer's last night, someone would try to get them to go up on stage.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Lavieboheme3090 2007-07-16 14:41:31
"O good to New Haven and sing the F*UCKING song Elaine"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Funny Face 2007-07-16 14:49:23
On a performer's last night, someone would try to get them to go up on stage.
Huh??
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gothampc 2007-07-16 14:50:33
Ethel once went on a talk show and sang I've Got Rhythm with peanut brittle in her mouth.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Kringas 2007-07-16 14:55:04
Why don't you go to New Haven and singing the f*cking song, Elaine?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by postergirl 2007-07-16 14:55:58
The expression "go up" on stage means to start laughing, Funny Face
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by wonderfulwizard11 2007-07-16 14:57:36
Funny Face - What jv92 meant is that, one someone's last night they would try to get them to "go up on their lines", or to make them forget their lines.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Funny Face 2007-07-16 14:57:40
Aaaah, thanks ;D
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by bschneid76 2007-07-16 15:08:27
After losing the Tony for Gypsy to Mary Martin for Sound of Music she said "Well, you can't buck a nun."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Kringas 2007-07-16 15:16:01
Elaine, just go to New Haven and sing the f*cking song!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by EdmundOG 2007-07-16 16:55:48
Can someone explain to me why the New Haven line is funny at all, let alone why it had to be posted four times by five people?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by AC126748 2007-07-16 17:01:12
Elaine Stritch was covering Merman in CALL ME MADAM on Broadway and appearing as Melba, who sings "Zip", in PAL JOEY in New Haven simultaneously. One day, during a snowstorm and on a two-show day, Elaine had to check in with Merman (who, of course, never missed) and then get up to New Haven to make her own curtain during the second act of PAL JOEY. Stritch was apprehensive, so Merman said, "Elaine, just go to New Haven and sing the f'ing song!" She told the story in ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY. I hope I remembered it accurately.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by AC126748 2007-07-16 17:05:17
On losing the Tony to Mary Martin for THE SOUND OF MUSIC:
"How are you supposed to buck a nun?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by ahmelie 2007-07-16 17:26:11
I'm not going to accurately tell this story at all, but once Ethel was in rehearsal for some show and in the middle of the song she got off with the orchestra and shouted "Speed up, assholes!" and than, backstage, she turned to her manager and said (about the conductor) "Lee, that son of a bitch is tryin' to sabatoge me!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by D2 2007-07-16 19:21:14
Sandra Church (the original Louise) somehow got on Merman's bad side during the run. When producer David Merrick asked Merman if she was still speaking to Church, Merman reputedly said, "Of course I speak to her! Every night when the curtain goes down, I say 'Go #!&! yourself!'"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2007-07-16 19:35:14
I heard this story from Sondheim himself.
They were teaching her ROSE'S TURN,
and she couldn't understand the Ma... Ma... Ma.. MAMA.
She asked if it was on the beat or off.
And Sondheim said, Rose is having a breakdown and realising how much she misses her own Mother and is having trouble saying the word Mama.
And the Merm siad:
"Oh,OK, but is it on the beat or off?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by D2 2007-07-16 19:46:57
To the Duke of Windsor, former King of England, when she saw the Duchess dancing with a much younger man: "Hey Duke, get off your royal a** and dance with your wife!"
He did.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by daspazoo 2007-07-16 20:42:55
I came across this story about Ethel Merman while reading Carol Channing's autobiography, JUST LUCKY I GUESS. Carol was nervous about sharing a limo for a benefit concert with Ethel Merman, because apparantly Ethel had given her the silent treatment ever since Carol landed HELLO, DOLLY! The story, as Carol reports it, is as follows:
::She got in the backseat with me and yelled, "Hi Carol!"
Oh good, she's TALKING to me.
Ethel: I had the strangest airplane trip out here. A passenger was bleeding from the rectum.
Now that's the first thing she'd said to me since 1964. Why was she so chatty when I was invisible for so long?...
Anyway, I repeated, "A passenger was bleeding from the rectum?"
Ethel: Yeah.
Naturally, I said what you would have said, "How did you know?"
"Well," she said, "there was no doctor on the plane, but I'm a nurse. What the hell are yuh laughin' at? I'm a GOOD nurse. I volunteered to serve at Roosevelt Hospital for every Thursday."
Now, I ask you, if you were strung up in Roosevelt Hospital, wouldn't you dread Thursdays? I mean, this woman walks into your room with her little white nurse's band abover her forehead and screams, "Ah'm your nurse! Roll over." Wouldn't you? Dread Thursdays?::
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by JMVR 2007-07-16 23:15:54
When she went to Hollywood for one of her last musicals, she was given a tour of the studio she was working for. Loretta Young was working in a soundstage when Merman walked in.
There was an enormous staircase as part of the set. Merman asked her tour guide "Where the hell does this go?" Loretta approached Merman with a collection box in her hand. "Miss Merman, you cursed! that'll be ten cents" Merman replied "Tell me something Loretta, how much would it cost me to tell you to go f*ck yourself?"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by CurtainPullDowner 2007-07-16 23:34:43
From "The Making of GYPSY"
" ...Merman who, while at a cocktail party in Gypsy Rose Lee's elegant Manhattan townhouse, announced to her hostess:
"I've read your book. I love it. I want to do it. I'm going to do it. And I'll shoot anyone else who gets the part."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Broadway Local 2007-07-16 23:51:54
Oh good, it's still a few minutes before midnight...
Today Ethel Merman would have been 99-1/2 years old.
Born in Astoria, January 16, 1908
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by TabooPhan1 2007-07-17 00:09:14
"I can hold a note as long as the Chase National Bank." She was cocky, but damn she could afford to be (And I wouldn't have it any other way).
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gothampc 2007-07-17 09:32:55
"Carol was nervous about sharing a limo for a benefit concert with Ethel Merman, because apparantly Ethel had given her the silent treatment ever since Carol landed HELLO, DOLLY!"
This is really only Carol Channing's speculation. Hello Dolly was written for Merman and Jerry Herman tried several times to get Merman to open it but she didn't want to take on a new show at that point in her life. Later she took over the show and Herman added two new songs especially for her. So if there was silent treatment from Merman, it wasn't because Carol landed the show over Merman.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by WickedBoy2 2007-07-17 09:39:44
A friend of mine stayed in Mermans old NY apartment while in NY with The Royal Ballet a number of years back. She wasnt told who used to live there until day 3 or 4 then mentioned casualy that she had heard some pretty high notes blasted/sang out in the middle of the night. She had no idea who Merman was and moved out late that evening after the show.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by madbrian 2007-07-17 09:48:59
All this talk about Merman and Channing compels me to post this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qaNIVbUvNs
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by WickedBoy2 2007-07-17 09:56:04
....this is mine.
Merman returned home to then husband Ernest Borgnine after a meeting with studio heads for a future movie.
'How did you get on?' asked Borgnine.
'Swell' said Merman 'He said i had the eyes of a teenager, the complextion of a 20 year old and the legs of a 25 year old'
'How about your 60 year old ****?' groaned her husband.
'Oh he never mentioned you!'
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by philcrosby 2007-07-17 10:18:09
All these quotes and stories warm my heart. And we have TWO new biographies of the Merm to look forward to this fall!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by WickedBoy2 2007-07-17 10:24:26
Opening night of 'Annie Get Your Gun'
A chorus girl turns to Ethel and asks 'Miss Merman are you ever nervous?'
Ethels reply was 'Why should i be nervous little girl? i know my f***ing lines!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gothampc 2007-07-17 10:37:42
A line that was captured on "That Girl". I don't know if it really happened or was written by "That Girl" writers, but it's funny.
Ethel Merman's dressing room for Granny Get Your Gun
Stage Manager: Miss Merman, you're on.
Ethel: How'm I doin'?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by WickedBoy2 2007-07-17 10:54:36
'Its not that she actualy called me a c**t, its the fact i answered her"
Carol channing on filming The Love Boat with Ethel.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-17 13:08:31
Not dirty but I love it. Ethel on the first time she held the long note in "I Got Rhythm":
"I held onto that note like it was from TIFFANY'S--and the laaaaaaaaaast one in the world!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Pippin 2007-07-17 13:22:51
These quotes are fantastic. wow! I had no idea that Ms. Merman was such a potty-mouthed diva bitch. I love her even more now.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by ljay889 2007-07-17 13:24:31
I wonder how Merman would act if she stage doored with today's crowds?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by BSoBW2 2007-07-17 13:26:09
I think the closest thing we have to Ethel Merman today is Chef Gordon Ramsay.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by madbrian 2007-07-17 13:46:26
It's not a quote, but her cameo in the movie Airplane! was priceless.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gothampc 2007-07-17 13:56:10
"her cameo in the movie Airplane! was priceless."
You have to see her in "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". The last scene with Merman entering the hospital room is one of the funniest on film.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by logan0215 2007-07-17 14:03:05
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/ethel_merman.html
found this site when searching for information about Patti in ALNM
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by frontrowcentre2 2007-07-18 02:48:08
The bitchy quotes are fun, but there was another side to Merman thet is less talked about: her quiet generosity.
In the early 30s she was close with Roger Edens. Edens was gay (Merman apparaently had no problem with gay people even way back then) and when she went to Hollywood he followed but because he couldn't join the union he couldn't work for several months. Ethel happily loaned him the cash he needed until he got on his feet.
IN an interview, Ethel told how touched she was that a fan from Scotland had sent her some heather for luck "and there was no return address, so I could never write and thank her. But isn't that nice?"
Her professionalism is sadly lacking with today's stars. She usually stayed with her shows to the closing. "I also gave the same performance closing night as I did opening. I cannot bear to have people led down on teh job. You have a contract. You should live up to it."
If you go on Youtube someone ha sposed the 1977 Merman/Martin interview promoting their concert. Ethel really dominates, but when Maryy mentiosn how nervous she Ethel says "We Know what we're doing, we Know our lyrics...if you forget something I'll say it and if I forget something you say it."
ONe story that STrich leaves out of her AT LIBERTY: She (Stritch) arrived in Hollywood with the tour of MADAM and was on her hotel terrace one afternoon vocalizing when she got a call from the front desk saying that she would have to check out because the woman next store was sensitive to noise. Stritch took it big and went to have a talk with her neighbour. When the door opened it was Ethel with a big grin "The picture version of MADAM was about to start and I wanted to say hi."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by TheActr97J 2007-07-18 05:51:47
This is one of my favorite threads ever! Gotta love the Merm.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by WickedBoy2 2007-07-18 06:29:40
Anybody hear or actualy see 'Rita McKenzie's Ethal Mermans Broaday'?
Its a terrific CD and worth hunting out if your a Merman fan. Originaly released in 1995 by Varese Sarabande. Happy Hunting!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by onceadancer2 2007-07-18 11:40:36
Way back in 1939 Merman was in a show called Stars In Your Eyes with Jimmy Durante, and also featuring Tamara Toumanova with choreography by Robert Alton and George Balanchine.
Merman watched the corps performing from the wings and was rumored to have said: "that little jewish boy over there dancing up a storm, what a talent. I'd like to work with him someday!"
Turned out it was Jerome Robbins!
When Merman was in Something for the Boys, the wonderful Betty Garrett had a featured role. Porter wrote a second act opener for her and it literally stopped the show. Garrett went offf and saw Merman approaching her, saying to herself, "well I guess I'll be fired." Merman turned her around, threw her on stage and said, "don't you dare come back until you've taken all your bows."
Miriam
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-18 12:46:23
Welcome back, Miriam. You have been sorely missed--and worried about!
You weren't IN Stars in Your Eyes in 1939, were you?!?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Jon 2007-07-18 13:03:25
Here's Ethel doing a detergent commercial - I wonder how Mr. Sondheim felt about these lyrics?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2007-07-18 13:26:59
Sondheim would have had gotten paid and received approval over the lyrics.
He also wrote a lyric for Merman to sing during the campaign of John V. Lindsay for mayor of NYC called "Everything's Coming Up Lindsay for Me and for You!"
I have it on a cassette somewhere...
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by jv92 2007-07-18 13:29:09
He obviously did not write that soap commerical lyric. There's an imperfect rhyme in it.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Dollypop 2007-07-18 13:32:44
Miriam,
It's so great to have you back here!
Shalom a thousand times over!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Julian2 2007-07-18 13:35:15
Do they still sell Vel? I'm taking it from the Merm.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Jon 2007-07-18 13:39:19
Then there's always:
SOMETHING DELICIOUS, SOMETHING NUTRITIOUS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY - STOVETOP TONIGHT!
Mr. Sondheim aint above selling out!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by ElFantasma14 2007-07-18 13:44:39
Off-topic, but has anyone seen "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World" with the Merm in it? It is one of my alltime favorite movies. She is effing hillarious.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by madbrian 2007-07-18 13:47:25
I just put "Mad, Mad...World" on my netflix queue. Haven't seen it in ages.
Who do we see about finally getting a theater named after Miss Merman?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by wonderfulwizard11 2007-07-18 13:48:28
I think they should rename the Broadway for her.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by frontrowcentre2 2007-07-18 13:49:37
This one was in Bob Thomas' book:
When Ethel married Robert Levitt, like any new bride she ordered monogrammed sheets and towels. When they arrived, Levitt was furious and refused to talk to her. Ethel complained to a frind. "What was on the sheets?" asked the friend. "Just my monogram: E M."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by DG 2007-07-18 14:19:39
Just want to add another quick 'Hi, Miriam - so NICE to see you here again'!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Wanna Be A Foster 2007-07-18 14:30:55
Welcome Back, Miriam! I always loved reading your posts. I'm glad you're back here posting again.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by SueleenGay 2007-07-18 15:11:13
Miriam, I am assuming that the only reason you have not been posting here is because you are working on that book! Is it coming out soon?
Missed you. Have you seen Margo Channing by any chance?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Mister Matt 2007-07-18 15:13:04
Hooray for Miriam! So glad to see you back!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gypsy9 2007-07-18 15:44:22
I saw Ethel Merman in her final public performance, at Carnegie Hall, appearing with the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by HER conductor Eric Knight, presented by the Friends of the Theatre Collection of the Museum of the City of New York. The one woman concert was fabulous and the crowd went wild in their appreciation of her. At the stage door she didn't sign autographs but got into a limo as the crowd applauded her.
Afterwards, I went to a posh hotel down the street from Carnegie Hall and went to the bar where I struck up a conversation with the bartender and learned that Merman was at a party at the hotel in her honor. I kept drinking and waiting for her to eventually leave the event. The bartender told me when she was about to leave, and I waited in the hotel lobby. First Jule Styne came down in the elevator and I got his autograph. Then Merman finally got off the elevator. I went up to her and asked for her autograph. She was very gracious to me and as she was signing her name I cited the final words from GYPSY: "Madam Rose...and her daughter, Gypsy!" She smiled and merely said,"1959 to 1961" And then she left. I treasure that night as one of the highlights of my life.
Incidentally, I did see Rita McKenzie in her one woman show titled "Ethel Merman's Broadway" off Broadway somewhere. She did a great job playing Merman. It was a very enjoyable show.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by frontrowcentre2 2007-07-18 18:46:28
I think a theatre SHOULD be renamed for EThel Mermna, and it should happen nextm January on teh 100th anniversray of her birth.
Yes, The Broadway would be the ideal choice: It is where her final show GUPSY opened and it is right at the top of the Broadway theatre district.
Who do we petition about this?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by paradox_error 2007-07-18 20:30:32
Welcome back, Miriam!
It's an absolute joy to see you posting, and to read of these things from someone who saw it first-hand...
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Demitri2 2007-07-18 21:00:38
Didn't "Granny Get Your Gun" transfer to the Broadway after Lincoln Center?
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by onceadancer2 2007-07-19 11:45:56
One of my close friendsone of Americas most famous dancerslurks here all the time. For some reason she refuses to write and passes everything on to me. So here are some Merman quotes that she remembersfrom a very long time ago.
1. Fanny Brice meets Ethel Merman on the street and says weve got to do a show together. Merman replies, yeah, we could call it my man is girl crazy.
2. In the Scandals of 1931, Ethel Merman appeared with Rudy Vallee. Obviously, she did not like him. Vallee says to Merman: Ethel, come out with me, Ill show you a good time. Merman replies: yeah, all two inches of it.
3. Merman was taken to see a performance of Jerome Kerns Roberta, a poor show, but it did feature SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES as well as an extended fashion show sequence. After the performance someone asked Merman what she thought of the fashion show sequence. Said Merman: it was ok but it would have been better if they put the girls in the suits and the men in the dresses.
4. Lorenz Hart had lunch with Merman and told her that he wanted to write a musical for her based on the Aristophanes play LYSISTRATA. Said Merman: I dont play lesbians.
5. During the run of ANYTHING GOES, Merman became friendly with dear, sweet Victor Moore. One night Moore ran as if his life depended on it. Merman stopped him and asked what was wrong. Moore said he just saw two men having sex in one of the backstage corridors. Said Merman: well, where do you want them to do it.
6. Merman was appearing on a radio show. Noel Coward preceded her and went on to be witty, oh so clever, and clip his vowels and swallow his words to such an extent that Merman finally said, what the f*** has he been sucking on.
7. When Cole Porter played the song KATE THE GREAT--which was going in ANYTHING GOES--Merman said she could not possibly sing that song since it was so filthy. Said Porter: "but Ethel, everything I write for you is filthy."
8. Merman was taken to see a performance of LADY IN THE DARK, the musical about psychoanalysis which starred Gertrude Lawrence who can't make up her mind, has a bad sex life, etc. When Merman was asked what she thought of the show she said: "I liked it but had all the men banged Liza in the first two minutes the curtain could have come down earlier."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Gypsy9 2007-07-19 12:44:49
Yes, the ANNIE GET YOUR GUN revival did transfer from Lincoln Center to the Broadway Theatre.
In addition to the suggestion that the Broadway Theatre have its name changed to the Ethel Merman Theatre, on previous threads the suggestion also came up to have the Imperial Theatre change its name to the Ethel Merman Theatre. Merman played there several times: ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, CALL ME MADAM, and the transfer of GYPSY. Both theatres are owned by the Shubert Organization, so I guess that's where letters or E-Mails should be sent.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by frontrowcentre2 2007-07-19 14:46:14
The AGYG revival played a 3-week try-out in Toronto before opening its out its limited run at Lincoln Center for 47 performances. The show re-opened at the Broadway theatre September 21, 1966 for an additional 78 performances bringing the total tally to 125 performances as per The Best Plays of 66/67.
In an interview we did with Merman in 1979 she mentioned that they took it on the road between the Lincoln Center closing and th Broadway re-opening.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by callmemadam19532 2008-01-13 00:46:50
I have been up to my studies on the glorifying Ethel Merman and found some quite interesting and funny facts/quotes.....
- One night after a performance of Gypsy, everyone took turns to take Ethel Jr. out on the town. Ethel still fummed at the relationship between Sandra Church and Jule Styne. While Tossing back the booze she asked "IS SANDRA F***ING JULE?, WELL IS HE!?!" She kept saying that right in front of her daughter.
- Ethel once sent a greeting card that said "Help bring love to the world.........Fu** someone today" I can't remember who she sent that to.
- Ethel used to tell this joke to all of her friends "The Polack was so dumb, that he thought Fu**-king and suck-king were a couple of chinese cities"
- I read in a book that the reason the Merman/Borgnine marriage didnt work out was because......When it came time to consumate the marriage Bornigne could not recieve an erection, a annoyed Merman who was beyond the point of no return turned to him and said 'You can't get it up? What're you a fag?' Borgnine Hit her across the face and she slapped him back.....obviously the end of the marriage
- "Haven't I got enough to be attractive? A Pretty girl walks in the room and everyone stops and stares and exchange thoughts, but when I walk in a room it's 'oh, Ethels here'" She complained to her friend Benay Venuta.
- "Horsesh**!""I'll bring him down to my level..." she often said to show business men....
- A chorus girl or something like that once came out of her dressing room (as an old burlesque tradition women painted their breasts to look like animals) and had her breasts painted like pigs, she showed her creation to one of the leading men and he went to get Ethel (said she had to see it) Ethel was hysterical, she said "well if it was me, mine would be cows" as she lifted her larger bust.
- "I dont trust a man as far as I can throw a piano"
- Buddy Bergman (Ethel's good friend) kept bugging and nagging her to tell him why her marriage ended with Borgnine, and she refused to tell him the finally at the top of her lungs she said ""BECAUSE HE HAD A C*** THIS BIG!!!!" widening her hands about a foot apart.....
- "How's The C***? You're about to be an aunt..." She would tell her friend Buddy Bergman....
I could go on for hours but my brain is racing trying to think of more, so this is good for now.....some nice dirty facts to get your day going great!!!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by frontrowcentre2 2008-01-13 07:04:27
This Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of Merman's birth on Jan 16, 1908. Time to load up your I-Pods with Merman !
There is a misconception that Merman had only one song in GIRL CRAZY (1930) and it was "I Got Rhythm.
Actually she had 3 songs including "Sam and Delilah" and "Boy! What Love Has Done to Me!" Merman finally recorded "I Got Rhythm " for Decca in 1947 but sadly never recorded the other 2 songs.
She also never made a commercial recoding of "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries" or "You're an Old Smoothie" but she recorded "Eadie was a Lady" in 1932 for Brunswick (and again in 1947 for Decca.)
Her cast album career was spotty because full cast albums as such were not made until the mid 40s. She recorded 2 songs from ANYTHING GOES, 4 each from RED HOT AND BLUE, STARS IN YOUR EYES and PANAMA HATTIE. The musicians union ban prevented any cast recordings of SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS but a tab version done for radio has given us a pseudo cast album. ANNIE GET YOUR GUN was recorded three times (1946, 1966 revival and a 1973 studio remake) and she is on both Deccas studio album of CALL ME MADAM and the film soundtrack. (The latter is far preferable.)
Collectors prize HAPPY HUNTING although DRG planned to re-release it later this year, that has reportedly been scuttled.
GYPSY was Merman's first cast album in stereo, and her last original musical.
Why didn't RCA Victor do a Merman album of HELLO DOLLY? They had recorded Channing, Mary Martin and Pearl Bailey on separate albums. Merman did a single of her two songs from the show...and that was it as far as cast albums.
In later years she re-recorded her hits in London with the Stanley Black orchestra (with some atrocious arrangements) and once again set to an idiotic disco beat.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by n69n 2008-01-13 09:15:09
i highly reccomend the MERMANIA! discs, vol 1 & 2!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Ed_Mottershead 2008-01-13 09:56:11
Merman did record Sam and Delilah in 1962 -- it was on the Reprise label and done in conjunction with her Vegas show. But the arrangements on that recording have been updated and it probably doesn't give a full idea of how it was done originally, although Merman herself is in super form.
I don't know if this is particularly funny, but I hadn't noticed it on the posting. When Gypsy opened in 1959, June Havoc was backstage and was praising Merman's performance to the hilt, but then added, " . . . but you're not Mother." To which Merman glared back and said, "I never MET your mother."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by callmemadam19532 2008-01-19 13:33:23
I just bought Mermania Vol 1 & 2...They are excellent....If you really want to hear her true voice these are the cds to buy!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by callmemadam1953 2008-02-06 11:36:02
If I am thinking of the same thing you are. I highly doubt that that ever happened. Ethel Merman was way to professional to do a a thing like that. If she wanted a thing like that all she would have to do was go down to the El Morocco.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by chip08ME 2008-02-06 23:17:14
I think my favorite is The Ethel Merman Disco Album.
Everything's Coming Up Roses mixed with a disco track? Priceless!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by callmemadam1953 2008-02-12 11:55:16
OMG!! I know that is my favorite movie. She is really GOOD in that movie. What a cast.
As she would always say at the opening night gala in Hollywood
Here She Is Boys! Merman Flops!
(holding a picture of her turned over in the trash can with her bloomers showing) lol!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by callmemadam1953 2008-03-14 23:44:53
Here you go I just found this on YouTube. It is Elaine Stritch Ethel Merman's understudy for Call Me Madam. She tells the "Just go to New Haven and sing the Fucking song, ELAINE!!". I laughed for about 10 minutes....She is hysterical in this clip....oh my it is so funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axLj7Edbv50
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by PalJoey 2011-10-07 12:35:13
Bump #1 for Zamedy
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by ClapYo'Hands 2013-02-25 20:54:06
Just been looking back through this thread. What a wonderful read!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by zamedy 2013-02-25 22:10:14
Agreed!
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by bobs3 2013-02-25 22:56:46
Telegram to Debbie Reynolds on the opening night of an ANNIE GET YOUR GUN production Debbie took on a summer stock tour:
HOW DARE YOU!!!???
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by carolineorchange21 2013-02-25 22:59:53
ditto!
this has been a great thread read.
I don't know if this story was Stritch and co. exaggerating for dramatic effect or what, but in 'At Liberty' Elaine tells the story of opening the national tour of 'Call Me Madam' in Washington DC. She was onstage as the show was just about to begin - and scared to death - when she heard that unmistakable Merman voice call her name, "Elaine!"
Stritch looks into the wings and sees Merman wave quickly and yell "BYE!"
Stritch in the national tour
and for funsies, Merm falling on her ass.
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by OperaBwayLover 2013-02-26 00:54:08
I love this thread!
And here's a story to share. Donna McKechnie discusses this in the wonderful book Broadway Day and Night (which, if you don't have, go GET IT):
Early in her career, Donna was cast in the national tour of Call Me Madam. She had two solos in the show. One day, she was rehearsing one of the numbers, when she noticed Ethel come in to observe the rehearsal. Naturally, she got all excited, and began showing off. That ended rather quickly when she heard Ethel ask, in typical fashion, "WHO DID SHE F*CK TO GET TWO DANCE NUMBERS?!"
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Wilmingtom 2013-02-27 15:03:05
Benay Venuta was picking Merman up in a cab to go to the Broadway Theater where they were appearing in the '66 revival of AGYG. Ethel is wearing a turban with little spit curls peeking out. Benay: "What's with the curls?" Ethel: "F**k you, Benay. They soften my face."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by NoName3 2013-02-27 20:02:10
Opening night of Gypsy. Someone there very early notices Ethel alone in her dressing room, calmly polishing her diamonds.
"Goodness, Miss Merman. It's opening night. Aren't you worried about what the critics will say?"
"To hell with the critics. I know when I'm good."
re: Ethel Merman Quotes
Posted by Patash 2013-02-28 09:29:39
A friend of mine was a composer/musical director. One night during intermission he bumped into Ms. Merman in the lobby of a theatre where they were both in the audience. He turned to jelly and started gushing like a star struck kid "oh, Miss Merman, it is such an honor -- you are my favorite -- blah, blah, blah". She listened politely for a minute then cut him off saying, "that's very sweet, honey, but right now The Merm has to piss." And off she went to the Ladies.
