Sundays with Sullivan: the August Edstravaganza
A couple of months ago, I began researching and tracking down these videos to put them in order (though all the material in them in not necessarily chronological), as well as writing material for all the clips included so as to give them perspective. Because there's so much in each of the dozen videos (for now, in case I discover more) -- each of which generally run about a half hour -- I've decided to spread them out, rather than dump them all at once and inundate the place, burning everyone out. So, my expectation is to post one a month.
This is the first.
For all the wonderful and goofy things that were on The Ed Sullivan Show during its remarkable 23 years on TV, I’ve always felt its most valuable feature was providing a record of Broadway musicals, with performances by the original casts in full costume and sets, often re-recreating long scenes, that would otherwise be lost to history. Other variety shows had popular musical performers, and sometimes some classical artists, and comedians. But Ed Sullivan was an archive of Broadway musicals – shows that became legendary hits and flops.
Over time, I’ve posted many videos from the show – and I’ll continue to. But I just came across a series of a dozen (unless I find more…) half-hour compilations, put together by a fellow named Jim Berg, of Broadway musical performances from The Ed Sullivan Show. And they’re wonderful – often moving to see. Most are major shows, but many are little known. And seeing them all is something special. Even the big hits – because, while we’ve heard the cast albums of those shows for decades, it’s something else to see the original stars recreating parts of their performances. Including extended scenes. Sometimes, Sullivan would feature a show for a full 15 minutes or so.
I should note that some of the videos in these compilations are things that I’ve posted here before. Though some not for a long time. But regardless of that, seeing them in full context with all these other musicals just adds to how special it all is.
Interestingly, there is a new documentary about Ed Sullivan out right now on Netflix, Sunday Best. It covers completely different ground, a side of Ed Sullivan that wasn't particularly known, especially compared to the non-stop (and deserved) joking about his deeply awkward style. The film focuses on how he was a pioneer in racial equality, breaking barriers by presenting Black artists.
But these here will be about what he's far-better known for.
As I said, I’ll post these compilations from time to time. And starting here, the compilation includes four numbers from My Fair Lady. Two are Julie Andrews as herself – at age 20! -- not in costume, but you see she’s acting the role. (Ed makes a slight mistake when talking to her and introducing the song “Show Me.” He describes it as her singing it to Henry Higgins, but actually it comes after she gets infuriated by Freddy Eynesford-Hill and his mooning after here with just words. But Julie Andrews is too polite to correct Ed.) There are also a couple of other performances by Stanley Holloway and, again, Julie Andrews in full costume – the later even with sets, because I believe it was filmed on stage when My Fair Lady was in London.
In addition, there’s the famous balcony scene from West Side Story, with the original cast of Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert singing “Tonight.” (Ed introduces them, not as 'Maria' and Tony,' of course, but as ‘Juliet’ and ‘Romeo.’)
And finally, there is a seriously impressive 17-minute segment from Flower Drum Song. Actually, it’s only 11 minutes here, because the video cuts off the number “Sunday” early on. When I get around to posting the next compilation, the final six minutes will be there.
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