The Best of Broadway Musicals - Original Cast Performances from The Ed Sullivan Show

A great snapshot of legendary broadway shows

This DVD is a great look back at some of the best shows ever. This is the only glimpse we have at what some of the original productions may have looked like. The quality is pretty good, although this was mastered from the 1990's video release, not a remastering of the original video and kinescope materials. If you are a fan of Broadway, I highly recommend this DVD.
Two notes to buyers: First, the song "There's No Business Like Show Business" is not a full performance. Second, at the end of the DVD there is a trailer for a second volume of this series. This was never released on DVD and as near as I can tell, was never released on video either. July 22, 2007

A Great Trip Down Memory Lane

If you have a real love for the history of musical theatre, this DVD is a must for your collection. There are several highlights that are simply joyous. The Larry Kert, Carol Lawrence "Tonight" duet is heart rendering and a treat for the ears! This alone is worth the price of this DVD. But, add to that the young and beautiful Julie Andrews in her prime as she delivers the quintessential version of "Lovely". And, you will understand why so many raved about Pearl Bailey in "Hello Dolly". When she sings "Before the Parade Passes By", she does not merely sing the music, she also sings the lyrics and this is something Carol Channing never really did. The great Gwen Verdon singing and dancing as only she could from "Sweet Charity", the magnificent voice of Richard Kiley delivering the ultimate version of "The Impossible Dream" and vibrant Pat Suzuki belting out "I Enjoy Being A Girl" make this a special treat. Add to that Celeste Holm's "I Can't Say No" (nobody does it better) and the sight of the legendary Barbara Cook as part of the group (John Raitt, Florence Henderson, Celeste Holm) singing a rousing version of "Oklahoma" and you have one great DVD. The only song that does not come across well is Carol Channing singing a rather forced version of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". But why quibble. Buy this infectious delight! November 4, 2004

Invaluable

Pretty much without exception, the original cast performances in Broadway musicals are matchless. However, the ephemeral nature of theatre makes it impossible to relive these performances over and over as we do with film, and often Hollywood translations missed out by hiring "bankable" Hollywood names. How lucky that Ed Sullivan led the way in featuring many of the original Broadway greats on his show. Of course, there are MANY more of these segments which I'd like to see make their way to DVD, but the segments presented here are superlative. The running list follows... Almost every one presents a Broadway star who was replaced with an inferior (and dubbed) Hollywood name in the film adaptation.

1.ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (1966)
"There's No Business Like Show Business" - Ethel Merman

2.OKLAHOMA! (1955)
"Oklahoma!" - John Raitt, Celeste Holm, Florence Henderson & Barbara Cook
"I Cain't Say No" - Celeste Holm

3.FLOWER DRUM SONG (1958)
"I Enjoy Being a Girl" - Pat Suzuki

4.GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1959)
"Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" - Carol Channing

5.MY FAIR LADY (1961)
"Wouldn't It Be Loverly" - Julie Andrews

5.WEST SIDE STORY ( 1961)
"Tonight" - Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert

6.CAMELOT ( 1961)
"What Do the Simple Folk Do?" - Julie Andrews and Richard Burton

7.THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, THE SMELL OF THE CROWD (1965)
"Who Can I Turn To?" - Anthony Newley

8.MAN OF LA MANCHA ( 1966)
"The Impossible Dream" - Richard Kiley

9.SWEET CHARITY (1966)
"I'm A Brass Band" - Gwen Verdon

10.HELLO, DOLLY! ( 1967)
"Before the Parade Passes By" - Pearl Bailey
October 28, 2004

Wonderful performances from classic shows

I must respectfully disagree with the reviewer who felt that most of the performances on this DVD were "wooden." My reaction was quite the opposite! I felt that the actors and actresses were really performing the parts, just as they would have done them in the actual shows. I often forgot that I was, in fact, watching a clip from a variety show, and felt as though I were watching the show itself on Broadway (and I have been to many Broadway shows, so I certainly know what that experience is like!)
I especially enjoyed seeing the clips of Julie Andrews in "My Fair Lady," Carole Lawrence and Richard Beymer in "West Side Story," and Celeste Holm in "Oklahoma!" Of course, there were a few actors and/or shows which I just don't personally like very much (Anthony Newley, "Man of La Mancha," Gwen Verdon), but that's not to say that their performances weren't well done.
I also enjoyed the narration by John Raitt, and hoped to see more of him (he is just shown singing the title song from "Oklahoma!") There is supposed to be a "Part 2" DVD coming out with more of Raitt included, as well as performances from many other shows. I hope it is released soon!
My only reason for not giving this DVD 5 stars is that the quality of some of the clips isn't very good, but that is understandable considering how old they are.
I would definitely recommend this DVD over "Broadway's Lost Treasures," which I found very disappointing. October 4, 2004

Best of Broadway?

I bought this DVD with great delight as I love Broadway Musicals. I was quite disapointed in the performances of the songs. The performers for the most part were wooden and uninspired. Carol Channing singing "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend" was a notable exception, though. She conveyed the fun and humor of the song and gave a great performance. There was close to no staging, just the artist standing there singing. The interviews with the composers while interesting, would have been better as part of the extras. They seem to simply be there to fill out the DVD. The space could have been better filled by more performances.
I expected so much more than what this DVD delivered. Buy "Broadway's Lost Treasures, instead. The money is better spent and the DVD is much more entertaining. March 26, 2004

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