Re previous comment(s) -- NOTHING more recent is better than what transpired in that golden age. Mary Martin is and always will be just plain G-R-E-A-T. And Pinza? That gorgeous voice! Mary didn't know how prophetic she was when she sang "I hear the human race is falling on its face and hasn't very far to go ..."
RMPsumma This isn't Pinza it is Wilbur Evans from the London run. I only wish there were more video clips with Pinza, although Evans is quite wonderful.
This song refers to the attitude of the 1940's "Smart" set, that the world really was going to hell, so why make any effort to the positive? World War 2, a most horrific modern war, atrocities reported so normally insulated ears heard the real story, and so on, making one question why a God of Love would let these things happen. This state of mind brought Cockeyed optimist into being.
I never got to see MM in any of her broadway performances but I was so fortunate to see her when she did a solo show in Louisville in the 1950s. My mother took me. I’ll never forget her soaring over the stage in her Peter Pan outfit. She sang 20-some songs. Today Cockeyed Optimist was running through my head. It was her rendition I wanted to hear. What magic.
one gets so sick of the comments that seek to put one performer down, to build up one they seem to need to boost for their own ego reinforcement! amazing how the rest of the broadway and music world must have gotten it wrong, given that mary martin remains a broadway legend, one whose recording of south pacific continues to demonstrate why she is a legend. the voice was unique in tone and timber, and had an easy assent up to the gleaming creamy easy top, unlike most sopranos who have to handle the higher notes here, ms. martin did not have to sound like an opera singer to get there. she made it sound all so easy, and performed this role, as well as her other famous ones, inlcuding peter pan, sound of music, with a zest and charm that is all her own!
First time ever seeing this version; which is a bit unbelievable if you knew how much the Broadway Musical Impacted my formative years. Let us also not forget Mary Martin as Peter Pan! The best EVER, though Kathy Rigby did a good job in one of many revivals.
From just that opening sequence, Mary Martin blows away any other Nellie Forbush that I've ever seen. She was perfectly cast in the role. Her natural delivery of the lines is exactly how I picture a young woman from Arkansas would speak them.
Mary Martin came from Weatherford, Texas, and against all odds found fame, fortune and then legend. Nellie Forbush comes very close to who Mary was. People never notice that Mary is attractive but not a classic beauty, that she has a beautiful voice but not really a stage voice, and she was not a "character" as was her great friend Ethel Merman. Mary's big weapons were her honesty, her heart and her naturalness. And it's all fully evident here in "Twin Soliloquies."
timjay77 This is incredible. For its age (1952) and for not being filmed professionally, this is actually very good quality, sound and picture. Amazing. missfatty196 1 agree...Mary Martin rules...too bad we don't have the original with Ezio Pinza roger20hot WOW OldieMusicMan This is the greatest sort of treasure for any theater lover! Thanks a hell of a lot for sharing it. Incredible!
Wouldn't it be great to hear a musical un-amplified and totally acoustic like this? Can modern performers still do this? How amazing that MM can project with greater clarity than the famous operatic bass Enzio P!!
Comparisons never cease to be odious. I like Kelli O'Hara too, -- her recent portrayal of Julie Jordan in Carousel opposite the incomparable Nathan Gunn's Billy Bigelow touched me deeply, but there's no need to denigrate Miss Martin in order to heap praise on Miss O'Hara. FYI: I DID see the original cast perform South Pacific early in its first run on Broadway. I was a child then, but it made an enchanting, indelible impression on me.
How I wish the footage from the cameras doing the closeups and the long shots still existed in their most pristine form so that this incredible record of SOUTH PACIFIC could have a new lease on life I'm so grateful that this footage exits - but imagine how revelatory it could be to see Martin and Evans' performances closeup and in focus. I keep hoping that the original film is lodged safely somewhere in the RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN archives.
Mary Martin originated the role. Anyone who followed, no matter how wonderful, had the advantage of Martin's concept to build on. So comparing Martin and anyone who followed is not working on level ground. Martin and Pinza participated significantly in the shaping of the original show with Rodgers and Hammerstein. The gorgeous "Twin Soliloquies" resulted from Martin saying she couldn't do a duet with Pinza as his operatic voice would overwhelm her winsome soprano.
@RockersonBwaySandy No, I did not see that performance, but I find Mary Martin's to be very realistic, natural, and believable. She was Nellie Forbush.
@dmnemaine . You should see Kelli's performance. We love Mary, but Kelli was outstanding. And her Southern accent brought a real authenticity to the role.
Re previous comment(s) -- NOTHING more recent is better than what transpired in that golden age. Mary Martin is and always will be just plain G-R-E-A-T. And Pinza? That gorgeous voice! Mary didn't know how prophetic she was when she sang "I hear the human race is falling on its face and hasn't very far to go ..."
But Oscar would still say that isn't true.
"ain't so"?????
RMPsumma This isn't Pinza it is Wilbur Evans from the London run. I only wish there were more video clips with Pinza, although Evans is quite wonderful.
William Oser I meant Pinza when I wrote it. I was referring to the original cast.
This song refers to the attitude of the 1940's "Smart" set, that the world really was going to hell, so why make any effort to the positive? World War 2, a most horrific modern war, atrocities reported so normally insulated ears heard the real story, and so on, making one question why a God of Love would let these things happen. This state of mind brought Cockeyed optimist into being.
BarBara Luna became the prettiest actress to grace the screen when she grew up! No denying that! And she got her start right here on Broadway!
I never got to see MM in any of her broadway performances but I was so fortunate to see her when she did a solo show in Louisville in the 1950s. My mother took me. I’ll never forget her soaring over the stage in her Peter Pan outfit. She sang 20-some songs. Today Cockeyed Optimist was running through my head. It was her rendition I wanted to hear. What magic.
So grateful to see this fabulous document.
one gets so sick of the comments that seek to put one performer down, to build up one they seem to need to boost for their own ego reinforcement! amazing how the rest of the broadway and music world must have gotten it wrong, given that mary martin remains a broadway legend, one whose recording of south pacific continues to demonstrate why she is a legend. the voice was unique in tone and timber, and had an easy assent up to the gleaming creamy easy top, unlike most sopranos who have to handle the higher notes here, ms. martin did not have to sound like an opera singer to get there. she made it sound all so easy, and performed this role, as well as her other famous ones, inlcuding peter pan, sound of music, with a zest and charm that is all her own!
If I had a time machine I would first go back and see people like Mary Martin on stage. What a wonder to see her in Sound of Music or Peter Pan!!!
Unfailingly magical
First time ever seeing this version; which is a bit unbelievable if you knew how much the Broadway Musical Impacted my formative years. Let us also not forget Mary Martin as Peter Pan! The best EVER, though Kathy Rigby did a good job in one of many revivals.
From just that opening sequence, Mary Martin blows away any other Nellie Forbush that I've ever seen. She was perfectly cast in the role. Her natural delivery of the lines is exactly how I picture a young woman from Arkansas would speak them.
Mary Martin came from Weatherford, Texas, and against all odds found fame, fortune and then legend. Nellie Forbush comes very close to who Mary was. People never notice that Mary is attractive but not a classic beauty, that she has a beautiful voice but not really a stage voice, and she was not a "character" as was her great friend Ethel Merman. Mary's big weapons were her honesty, her heart and her naturalness. And it's all fully evident here in "Twin Soliloquies."
steph42uk
This is marvelous to see!
DeanLeonard1
This is amazing--a filmed record of a legendary show! Thank you!
Redearedslider
Thanks!
timjay77
This is incredible. For its age (1952) and for not being filmed professionally, this is actually very good quality, sound and picture. Amazing.
missfatty196
1 agree...Mary Martin rules...too bad we don't have the original with Ezio Pinza
roger20hot
WOW
OldieMusicMan
This is the greatest sort of treasure for any theater lover! Thanks a hell of a lot for sharing it. Incredible!
It still is sunlime❤
Wouldn't it be great to hear a musical un-amplified and totally acoustic like this? Can modern performers still do this? How amazing that MM can project with greater clarity than the famous operatic bass Enzio P!!
Unfortunatley this is Mary Martin and Wilbur Evans not Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza !
Comparisons never cease to be odious. I like Kelli O'Hara too, -- her recent portrayal of Julie Jordan in Carousel opposite the incomparable Nathan Gunn's Billy Bigelow touched me deeply, but there's no need to denigrate Miss Martin in order to heap praise on Miss O'Hara. FYI: I DID see the original cast perform South Pacific early in its first run on Broadway. I was a child then, but it made an enchanting, indelible impression on me.
I'm pretty sure the little girl singing "Dites Moi" is the ever young and gorgeous Barbara Luna .
Nope - Patricia Lowi. Barbara played it on Broadway.
Nope it's the ever beautiful BarBara Luna! She sang this song Dites...
When she got older someone else probably took over
Unalloyed pleasure and star power
How I wish the footage from the cameras doing the closeups and the long shots still existed in their most pristine form so that this incredible record of SOUTH PACIFIC could have a new lease on life I'm so grateful that this footage exits - but imagine how revelatory it could be to see Martin and Evans' performances closeup and in focus. I keep hoping that the original film is lodged safely somewhere in the RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN archives.
They definitely have it, but it’s doubtful they’ll ever release it.
Mary Martin originated the role. Anyone who followed, no matter how wonderful, had the advantage of Martin's concept to build on. So comparing Martin and anyone who followed is not working on level ground. Martin and Pinza participated significantly in the shaping of the original show with Rodgers and Hammerstein. The gorgeous "Twin Soliloquies" resulted from Martin saying she couldn't do a duet with Pinza as his operatic voice would overwhelm her winsome soprano.
Strutting his stuff in the chorus of this London production was one Sean Connery !
@RockersonBwaySandy
No, I did not see that performance, but I find Mary Martin's to be very realistic, natural, and believable. She was Nellie Forbush.
Can’t believe this exists. What a brilliant archive. I wonder if it could be digitally enhanced?
If they did a professional transfer from the original 16mm print, it would look a hundred times better!
I just wish it was Ezio Pinza.
@@thephantom1946 So do I but Wilbur Evans is nothing to sneeze at.
@dmnemaine
.
You should see Kelli's performance. We love Mary, but Kelli was outstanding. And her Southern accent brought a real authenticity to the role.
Mary Martin was from Texas, hardly the North.
@@mmjhcb Doesn't matter - she didn't play it with a Southern accent.
@@123boink Really? There are different degrees of southern accents. But, whatever. Who cares?
Song starts at 5:10
Jesus, Josh Logan sure didn't know how to direct kids!