Today we celebrate this weekend's SUPER BOWL as well as the 94th birthday of one of the most iconic Broadway and Hollywood stars alive, the one and only Carol Channing!
Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend A diamond anniversary is traditionally 75 years, at least for marriages, so how to ascribe a befitting jewel or stone to Carol Channing in honor of her 94th birthday this year? Perhaps it would be best to reference one of her most memorable and indelible roles and the earworm ditty she sang as Lorelei Lee once upon a time, "A Little Girl From Little Rock". Unquestionably, few performers, if any, are as inextricably linked with a major role as Carol Channing - and she has two, not one. Although Jerry Herman's HELLO, DOLLY! may be her most celebrated and well-known character of all, Channing's first huge hit musical boasted perhaps her most beloved song to date - the instantly-addictive "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend", as originally heard in the Jule Styne/Leo Robin 1949 musical hit GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Boasting a hilarious book by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos, and some bawdy and amusing lyrics by Leo Robin to match Styne's characteristically tuneful and boisterous score, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES features some sensational song sequences besides the breakout hit, yet it is that song that will seemingly live on in perpetuity - its appearances in movie musical MOULIN ROUGE! as sung by Nicole Kidman (mashed-up with Madonna's "Material Girl" no less) as well as a recent Glee homage provide further fodder for having faith in that sentiment; as does the recent smash hit Encores! production of the musical starring Megan Hilty.
What would we do without Carol Channing? No mistaking, she is Broadway royalty of the highest order and possessor of some of Broadway's most adored breakthrough hits in addition to being a great entertainer capable of holding the attention of the masses, as well - whether in 1970 or now. Here's to many, many more years - and a smashing centennial, too! Who knows, maybe she'll mark #95 with another pigskin performance!
Videos