re: Ethel Merman Quotes

[Gypsy9]

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.

[frontrowcentre2]

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.

[callmemadam19532]

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!!!

[frontrowcentre2]

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 Decca’s 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.

[n69n]

i highly reccomend the MERMANIA! discs, vol 1 & 2!

[Ed_Mottershead]

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."

[callmemadam19532]

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!

[callmemadam1953]

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.

[chip08ME]

I think my favorite is The Ethel Merman Disco Album.

Everything's Coming Up Roses mixed with a disco track? Priceless!

[callmemadam1953]

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!

[callmemadam1953]

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

[PalJoey]

Bump #1 for Zamedy

[ClapYo'Hands]

Just been looking back through this thread. What a wonderful read!

[zamedy]

Agreed!

[bobs3]

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!!!???

[carolineorchange21]

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.

[OperaBwayLover]

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?!"

[Wilmingtom]

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."

[NoName3]

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."

[Patash]

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.