[sschweiger]

Mitzi had a fine movie career with lots of highlights -- "South Pacific," "There's No Business Like Show Business," "The Joker Is Wild," "Anything Goes" -- but in a Las Vegas showroom, she was just amazing...a bundle of non-stop energy, and a professionalism that has never been surpassed (maybe equalled, but never surpassed)!

Ask Vegas vets, "Who had the best produced act over the years?", and I'm positive that Mitzi would get her very fair share of the plaudits! She was sensational!

[NickfromPhilly]

Originally Posted by sschweiger

Ask Vegas vets, "Who had the best produced act over the years?", and I'm positive that Mitzi would get her very fair share of the plaudits! She was sensational!

Stanley, you and I have so much in common, it's amazing! I agree wholeheartedly, with your comments about Mitzi. They reflect mine exactly. Mitzi's production numbers were precisely what a star, and a show business spectacular is all about.

Although, we never saw her in Las Vegas, we did see her at the old Latin Casino, in Cherry Hill, NJ. She's warm & bubbly, she certainly knew "how to work the room," and is oh so talented. I absolutely adore her, and always have.

And now I'll run the risk of sounding "sexist." I know in this day and age, it's not politically correct. As I always say, though, the best part about growing older is that you don't really care who you "tick off." So, I must add that I never saw Betty Grable work "live," but only in the movies. I did see Juliet Prowse, at the International Hotel in Vegas in the 1970's. Ms. Prowse was starring in "Mame." Just let me say that, when folks talk about women with the "Greatest Legs," Mitzi's got to be in the top three!!!

Back on topic, I recall hearing Mitzi "Playing Favorites" the first time around, and Mitzi's commentary between songs is terrific. She recalls going to see Frank when she was a youngster (in Detroit, I believe), and she also tells of (while they were filming "The Joker is Wild"), what a pivotal role Sinatra played in her landing the role of Nellie in South Pacific. Great listening for everyone!

[dominique15]

Mitzi is too much fun! I thought she picked a great selection! I'm very glad she was played again.

[sschweiger]

Nick, we're certainly on the same wave length! And with regard to being called "sexist" -- ain't gonna happen in this lifetime! I'll just say that my #1 is Cyd Charisse, with Mitzi a very close second -- and leave it at that!

Your post re: Frank's and singers' "voice quality" was excellent! Right on the money! Take care & be well!

[NickfromPhilly]

Thanks Stan. I appreciate it! And you're right. I don't know how I could have left Mrs. Tony Martin out!!! She's dynamite!

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Miguel Ferrer and Gabri Ferrer
Mon., 6/25 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 6/26 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 6/28 at 9:00 am, Sat., 6/30 at 3:00 pm (all times ET)
Tune in this week for an all new edition of "Playing Favorites" hosted by Miguel Ferrer and Gabri Ferrer, sons of Rosemary Clooney. The will share some of their "Mama's" favorites, some of their favorites, some special memories, and of course, a couple of great songs by the beautiful Rosemary Clooney.



Miguel and Gabriel Ferrer's Selections:
Tenderly - Nat King Cole
Fly Me to the Moon - FS
I Get Along Without You Very Well - Billie Holiday
Sophisticated Lady - Rosemary Clooney & Duke Ellington
Somethin' Stupid - Frank Sinatra & Nancy Sinatra
Moonlight in Vermont - Margaret Whiting
The Best is Yet to Come - Sarah Vaughan
I've Got You Under My Skin - FS
All or Nothing At All - Diana Krall
Sway - Rosemary Clooney & Perez Prado
Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) - Frank Sinatra with Antonio Carlos Jobim
San Fernando Valley - Bing Crosby
Love is Here to Stay - Louis Armstrong
One for My Baby - Frank Sinatra

[rosiewebsite]

Thanks so much for the song list Leigh Ann. I'm obviously loving this show. These boys were certainly exposed to some amazing artists and music growing up on 1019 Roxbury.

[sschweiger]

Thanks, Leigh Ann! The show was great! Rosie's album with the Ellington Ensemble is fabulous! And "Sophisticated Lady" is very special! Wish The Ferrers had played a track from the Clooney-Crosby "get together," "Fancy Meeting You Here." one of my very favorite albums! Maybe next time!

[Leigh Ann]

This is a great show! I really enjoyed hearing the guys reminisce about their lovely mother and the memories they shared But, this is definitely not just a show about Rosemary, although they could easily have played more of her music. They really love this genre of music and many different singers and musicians. I can only imagine what it was like to grow up with Rosemary as a mother and to be around all this great music every day.

[Judy]

Fun show!

[Nancy]

Rosie was one of the greatest people I ever knew and I miss her something awful.

[rosiewebsite]

I just found this quote by Rosemary the other day. Nancy she said this about your dad nine months before she passed away, "Frank was one of the voices that entered my life and my mind and gave me the strength to go on and try to be a singer. Strength might be overdoing it, but I loved him so much and I loved what he did with a song. I learned so much every time I heard him sing. He is probably my favorite singer of all time."

Hard to believe it was ten years ago this week that she was making her final journey back home to Maysville, KY to be laid to rest beside so many in her family.

This was from an interview she did http://www.thebillmillershow.com/pag...ry-clooney.php

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Julie Budd
Mon., 7/2 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 7/3 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 7/5 at 9:00 am, Sat., 7/7 at 3:00 pm (all times ET)

This week Playing Favorites will feature an encore show hosted by singer Julie Budd.



Julie Budd's Selections:
My Way - Reprise 1968: My Way
Drinking Again - Reprise 1967: The World We Knew
Julie Budd – Medley: I've Got A Crush On You / My Romance
Tony Bennett – I Left My Heart In San Francisco
The House I Live In (That's America To Me) - Columbia 1945
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – I Won't Dance
Lena Horne – The Lady Is A Tramp
Downtown - Reprise 1966: Strangers In The Night
High Hopes (with "A Bunch of Kids") - Capitol 1959: All The Way
Diana Krall – Where Or When
Dean Martin – Sleep Warm (conducted by Frank Sinatra) - Capitol 1959: Sleep Warm
Julie Budd – It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
Ol' Man River - Columbia 1944

[Mark Blackburn]

I especially appreciated the back-to-back renditions of WHERE OR WHEN -- Diana Krall's most recent (most-viewed version at YouTube) followed by the definitive version -- opening with just piano accompaniment (Bill Miller?) and closing with a crescendo of brass almost too hot (the 'record' needle must have been buried 'in the red' as we used to say on radio).

I appreciated too the personal anecdote about why SLEEP WARM (with Frank conducting Dean's 'original') is so deeply affecting to Julie. I know this isn't the place for long quotes and song lyrics, so with the moderator's indulgence, hope Julie Budd -- and the Family here -- enjoys my longer reflection elsewhere, a moment ago.

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...als&p=46264040

[ARIES3032]

So sorry I missed this thread. I love Rosemary and her voice. She was a special lady!!

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Ed Ames
Mon., 7/9 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 7/10 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 7/12 at 9:00 pm, Sat., 7/14 at 3:00 pm



Tune in this week for an all new edition of Playing Favorites, hosted by actor/singer Ed Ames.

Ed Ames' Selections:
Witchcraft - FS
I'm Beginning to See the Light - Ella Fitzgerald
Undecided - Ames Brothers
How High the Moon - Les Paul/Mary Ford
I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night - FS
On the Sunny Side of the Street - Tommy Dorsey
The Band Played On - Guy Lombardo
Sentimental Journey - Les Brown/Doris Day
I've Got the World on a String - FS
The Lady is a Tramp - Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga
Try to Remember - Ed Ames
Fly Me to the Moon - FS
The Birth of the Blues - Sammy Davis, Jr.
Nature Boy - Nat King Cole
Come Rain or Come Shine -Judy Garland
All the Way - FS

[sschweiger]

Terrific PF with one of Boston's (actually, Chelsea) favorite singing sons! Mr. Ames is responsible for the single funniest moment, IMO, in television history...

...as a guest on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show!" At the time, Ed was co-starring with Fess Parker on the "Daniel Boone" series, playing Boone's Native-American Side-Kick. Ed, proficient with the bow & arrow, hunting knife, & axe, was asked by Johnny, to display his proficiency with the axe. A target--the outline of a male figure -- was set up onstage. Ed, axe in hand, walked to the other end of the stage, about a 100 feet from the target.

He took aim, threw the axe, and directly hit, what might best be described as "a VERY sensitive area" of the male anatomy! Mr. Ames, Mr. Carson, Mr. McMahon, and everybody else in the vicinity, collapsed with laughter, as everything ground to a halt! I think Johnny used an expression of the day, something like "That Smarts!" Everyone was hysterical with laughter for what appeared to be fifteen minutes or so, and then Johnny started in with the obvious double entendres!

For the next 20+ years, when Johnny would highlight the most memorable moments in "Tonight Show" history, the Ed Ames Segment was always deemed THE most memorable!

[NickfromPhilly]

Originally Posted by sschweiger

Terrific PF with one of Boston's (actually, Chelsea) favorite singing sons! Mr. Ames is responsible for the single funniest moment, IMO, in television history...

...as a guest on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show!" At the time, Ed was co-starring with Fess Parker on the "Daniel Boone" series, playing Boone's Native-American Side-Kick. Ed, proficient with the bow & arrow, hunting knife, & axe, was asked by Johnny, to display his proficiency with the axe. A target--the outline of a male figure -- was set up onstage. Ed, axe in hand, walked to the other end of the stage, about a 100 feet from the target.

He took aim, threw the axe, and directly hit, what might best be described as "a VERY sensitive area" of the male anatomy! Mr. Ames, Mr. Carson, Mr. McMahon, and everybody else in the vicinity, collapsed with laughter, as everything ground to a halt! I think Johnny used an expression of the day, something like "That Smarts!" Everyone was hysterical with laughter for what appeared to be fifteen minutes or so, and then Johnny started in with the obvious double entendres!

For the next 20+ years, when Johnny would highlight the most memorable moments in "Tonight Show" history, the Ed Ames Segment was always deemed THE most memorable!

Hi Stan: I remember that night well! After Ed Ames struck (what has sometimes been known as), the fatal blow, Ames immediately tried to walk over to the target and remove the axe. Carson, a genius for milking a laugh (no matter who "triggered" it), very subtly grabbed Ames by the arm, and actually stopped him from any further attempt to remove it.

Carson said, "Gee, I didn't even know you were Jewish! Welcome to "Frontier Bris" folks!!! (Apology is in order, if I didn't spell "Bris" properly). The laugh was one of the longest, if not "the" longest in television history. Looking back at the "Best of Carson" tape that I have, one has to figure, "What are the chances, huh?"

[sschweiger]

Nick--your spelling of "bris" is perfect! And your additional extras (I think I'm being redundant) beautifully recapture that special Ed Ames-Johnny Carson moment! It was truly one for the ages! Take care & be well!

[Leigh Ann]

Playing Favorites with Julius La Rosa
Mon., 7/16 at 6:00 pm, Tues., 7/17 at 9:00 pm, Thurs., 7/19 at 9:00 am, at., 7/21 at 3:00 pm (All times ET)

This week, tune in for an encore of Playing Favorites hosted by singer Julius La Rosa. He's a Brooklyn boy who grew up listening to Frank Sinatra on "the old, wax, red label Columbia records". For Julius, his career is singing, even though he's proven to be a successful disc jockey and actor. Listen this week to hear Julius host an all Frank Sinatra edition of Playing Favorites.



Julius La Rosa's Selections:
My Funny Valentine
I've Got a Crush on You
I Get a Kick Out of You
Just One of Those Things
Witchcraft
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
One For My Baby
Ol' Man River
Swingin' on a Star
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
I Concentrate on You (Columbia)
I Concentrate on You (Capitol)
Well, Did you Evah! - FS with Bing Crosby