frasuer Reviews

An Evening with Carol Burnett (1963 TV Special)

Please Release Carol's Great Specials on DVD

[10/10 · 31 January 2016]

After the multiple award winning(Emmys and Peabody Award) "Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall" it was obvious that Carol should leave the cast of The Garry Moore Show. She didn't want to, but as the unselfish Moore told interviewers, it was best for her to take advantage of her sky-rocketing popularity. She was simply too talented to be anyone's second banana.

This special was a fine follow-up to the Carnegie Hall triumph. Robert Preston was at the height of his "Music Man" fame, and was was terrific as her co-star. Her writers provided him with the hilarious song "I Died For A Living", about his lengthy career movie career playing the ill-fated rival to the likes of Gary Cooper. (His most memorable demise was via an octopus).

It's a disgrace that Carol Burnett's first TV specials, including her wonderful "Once Upon A Mattress" (with its original cast, especially her prince, Joe Bova) have never been released on DVD. Also, someone should produce a set of Carol's highlights from The Garry Moore Show.

Lovers of great comedy, including Carol's legion of admirers, should not have to travel to New York's Paley Center to be able to see them.

Words and Music (1948)

THE BEST OF MGM'S ALL-STAR MUSICALS

[10/10 · 3 September 1999]

During the 1940's, MGM produced a number of All-Star musicals. The most notable being The Ziegfeld Follies, Till the Clouds Roll By, and Words and Music. The Ziegfeld film is most remembered for its comedy routines: Fanny Brice, Red Skelton, Victor Moore, and Judy Garland's satirical "The Great Lady Gives an Interview". The other two films are idealized biographies of Jerome Kern ("Clouds") and Rodgers and Hart ("Words"), of which the latter is far and away the more entertaining. The Kern film followed closely on the death of the revered composer and is too respectful for its own good. "Words and Music", on the other hand, benefits greatly from the presence of Mickey Rooney (as Larry Hart) and the always delightful Betty Garrett. But, most of all, it's the wide variety of songs that Rodgers and Hart produced that make it such a joy to watch. From June Allyson's lively "Thou Swell" (a highlight in her career) to the dramatic "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet with Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen (a forerunner of the sensual ballet's that Kelly performed in "An American in Paris" and "Singing in the Rain". And of course, there's the wonderful (and final) teaming of Rooney and Judy Garland (the amusing "I Wish I Were in Love Again").

From beginning to end, this is the best of MGM. Don't miss it.

Sing It Again (1950– )

THE PERFECT SHOWCASE FOR MULTI-TALENTED ALAN DALE

[19 August 1999]

This program first aired on CBS RADIO in September 1948. Musical quiz shows were the rage and CBS decided to out-do them all with a program that would offer first-rate performers and the largest jackpot EVER! Musical conductor Ray Bloch assembled a cast consisting of handsome crooner Alan Dale, songstress Eugenie Baird, and pianist-singer Bob Howard. The m.c. was the smooth and affable Dan Seymour (not to be confused with the portly character actor of the same name).

The show's gimmick was this: A song would first be performed straight, then sung again (hence the show's title) with new lyrics, describing a famous celebrity. If the contestant (or a listener, phoned at random) solved this easy puzzle, he would have the opportunity to try to identify the Phantom Voice from the clues that had been piling up during the preceeding weeks. The jackpot was huge for its time: $25,000 in cash and prizes. Proof of the show's popularity is the fact that it was the program featured in the 1950 James Stewart film "JACKPOT" (in which Stewart's life is complicated by winning the show's top prize.

In 1950, SING IT AGAIN, became one of the few programs ever to be "simulcast" (broadcast on both radio and television). However, the move to TV resulted in some changes in format. For economic reasons, the size of the jackpot was reduced, and everyone was replaced --- except for singer Alan Dale, who by then had become the show's top attraction. Comedian Jan Murray became the m.c., thus opening the door to comedy sketches, which Dale also excelled at.

Alan Dale's collapse (from a perforated ulcer) in 1951 took him off of the show during the crucial May-June ratings sweeps. Dale eventually recovered, but SING IT AGAIN didn't.

Sing It Again (1950– )

THE PERFECT SHOWCASE FOR MULTI-TALENTED ALAN DALE

[9 August 1999]

This program first aired on CBS RADIO in September 1948. Musical quiz shows were the rage and CBS decided to out-do them all with a program that would offer first-rate performers and the largest jackpot EVER! Musical conductor Ray Bloch assembled a cast consisting of handsome crooner Alan Dale, songstress Eugenie Baird, and pianist-singer Bob Howard. The m.c. was the smooth and affable Dan Seymour (not to be confused with the portly character actor of the same name).

The show's gimmick was this: A song would first be performed straight, then sung again (hence the show's title) with new lyrics, describing a famous celebrity. If the contestant (or a listener, phoned at random) solved this easy puzzle, he would have the opportunity to try to identify the Phantom Voice (from the clues that had been piling up during the preceeding weeks). The jackpot was huge for its time: $25,000 in cash and prizes. Proof of SING IT AGAIN's popularity is the fact that it was the program featured in the 1950 James Stewart movie, "JACKPOT" (in which Stewart's life is complicated by winning the show's top prize).

In 1950, SING IT AGAIN, became one of the few shows to be "simulcast" (broadcast on both radio and television). However, the move to TV resulted in some changes in format. For economic reasons, the size of the jackpot was reduced, and everyone was replaced --- except for singer Alan Dale, who by then had become the show's top drawing card. Comedian Jan Murray became the m.c., thus opening the door to comedy sketches, which Dale also excelled at.

Alan Dale's collapse (from a perforated ulcer) in 1951 took him off of the show during the crucial May-June ratings sweeps. Dale eventually recovered, but SING IT AGAIN didn't.

The Alan Dale Show (1948–1951)

POPULAR YOUNG SINGER WAS A TELEVISION PIONEER

[6 August 1999]

Handsome young baritone Alan Dale was one of the most popular musical stars at the beginning of the television age (this show went on the air at the same time that CBS launched their big budget radio show "Sing it Again", on which Alan was the featured singer). Due to Dale's exploding popularity, his program was the first TV show to be kinescoped for showing in other parts of the country.

In addition to his good looks, engaging personality, and quick wit, Dale had an extraordinary singing voice --- a warm, rich and mellow baritone that could soar to operatic heights. Imagine a combination of Crosby, Sinatra, Dean Martin, AND Mario Lanza ---- with a hint of Russ Columbo thrown in. Never before (or since), was there another voice like that.

Besides all this, Dale was that other rarity: A singer who excelled at comedy (one can think of only Dean Martin and Bing Crosby who were in the same class). The memory of Dale's impromptu night club appearances with his friend Buddy Hackett (when one would walk on during the other's act) is still treasured by those lucky enough to have witnessed them.

The Alan Dale Show (1948–1951)

Brilliant young singer's pioneer television series

[3 August 1999]

Handsome young baritone Alan Dale was one of the most popular musical stars at the beginning of the television age. This show went on the air at the same time that CBS launched their big- budget radio show "Sing it Again", on which Alan was the star singer. Due to Dale's exploding popularity, his program was the first TV show kinescoped for showing in other parts of the country.

In addition to his good looks, engaging personality, and quick wit, Dale had an extraordinary singing voice. A warm, rich and mellow baritone which could dramatically soar to operatic heights. Imagine a combination of Sinatra, Dean Martin, AND Placido Domingo ---- with a hint of Russ Columbo thrown in. Before or since, there's never been another voice like that.

Besides all this, Dale was that other rarity: A singer who excelled at comedy (one can think of only Dean Martin and Bing Crosby who were in the same class). The memory of his impromtu night club appearances with friend Buddy Hackett (when one would walk on during the other's act) is still treasured by those lucky enough to have witnessed them.

Don't Knock the Rock (1956)

ENJOYABLE MOVIE FEATURING EARLY ROCK 'N' ROLL STARS

[8/10 · 23 July 1999]

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the best. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners, and his versatility ranged from opera to rock 'n' roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Patricia Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan and retired.

The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television (Bill Haley and the Comets being an exception). In fact, outside of major urban areas, someone like Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (who chose instead to play Pat Boone's versions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Fruitti"!). But, thanks to films like this, people in Pocatello and Salt Lake City were able to experience these seminal rock 'n' roll performers. It's a fun film.

Don't Knock the Rock (1956)

ENJOYABLE SHOWCASE FOR TOP RECORD STARS

[8/10 · 13 July 1999]

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the better ones. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners (which included Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, etc.), and his versatility ranged from opera to Rock 'n' Roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Pat Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan. The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television. Bill Haley and the Comets were well known, but outside of the major urban areas Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (they opted for Pat Boone's version of "Long Tall Sally"!). However, thanks to films like this we could finally experience performers like Little Richard. Two numbers by The Treniers are another high point. Typical of these films, there's not much of a plot, but its a lot of fun.