Thanks for posting this! The last (and only) time I saw this was at a private showing some 34 years ago. Earl Wild, my teacher at the time, wrote the background music to this skit.
Nanette's character, Moxie Heart, is named after Roxie Heart, the main character in "Chicago" which was filmed several times before being turned into a musical. The version closest to this would have been "Roxie Heart" 1942, with Ginger Rogers.
Posting this particular sketch today in honor of Carl Reiner's 93rd birthday, since he's heavily featured in this one. Happy birthday, Carl! And many more-- please!
I came here because Woody Allen's film Bullets Over Broadway is one of my all-time favourites and I just learnt that the title came from a Sid Caesar sketch. I was however in for another surprise, when Sid walked in the door wearing that hat and I said, "It's Boss Hijack!!" from another of my favourite films: My Favorite Year, which of course was inspired by working for Sid Caesar. I'd actually always wondered what the story behind Boss Hijack was, as so much else in that film had been inspired by actual situations.
Woody Allen worked for Your Show of Shows during the last year that he program was on the air. One wonders if he had anything to do with the writing of this episode or was later inspired to make a movie using its title....
Mr. Allen was gracious enough to reach out to his old boss, Mr. Caesar, to ask permission to use the title of this sketch for his film. Of course, Sid agreed. . . and he also really appreciated the gesture since his own star had faded and Woody was in his prime at that time. Thanks so much for posting.
God Bless you and your channel. Seriously. PS- Woody Allen asked Sid if he could use the title of this sketch for his movie, wanted to pay, to which Sid of course agreed, and would not take a penny.
I didn't know that story about Woody asking for permission to use the title-- interesting! Especially since Woody wasn't a writer for Sid yet at this point. He only wrote for the specials that followed the cancellation of "Caesar's Hour". Thanks for the comment-- I'm really glad you enjoy these sketches. They were the best of the best, all of them, everyone associated with these shows.
Sid Caesar: Your Show of Shows / Caesar's Hour / Admiral Broadway Revue that's right, Allen didn't write for Sid until the Chevy special in 1958, but he was a huge fan and knew the show well. It's a true story about the Bullets title- Caesar recounted it in his second book. PS if you post the Victors sketch about Nan's smoking, you win a gold star and my unending gratitude. All the best and thanks again for the best channel on YT.
I understand the error frequently made (including Woody in the early writing stable of Y/S/O/S and Caesars Hour), because of the huge success woody later went on to with his films, but it does a disservice to the original core group who were responsible for the spectacular work that was put on live 39 weeks/yr in TV's infancy...
There was a sketch on the Danny Kaye Show in the 60's, in which Danny played a mob boss who could see "like a hawk" because he ate a lot of carrots. He could even see through walls. I can't help thinking that the inspiration must have come from this skit.
Nanette Fabray must have been very happy to have the work appearing opposite Sid, but it had to be kind of difficult, knowing everyone would be comparing her to Imogene Coca, who had the incomparable chemistry working with Sid on the legendary Your Show of Shows...It would have been tough for anyone, but I think Nanette did as well as anyone could have under the cirumstances..
I like to think Sid loved both of his leading ladies equally. For that matter, he also loved Giselle Mackenzie and Edie Adams. What's most remarkable is that all of these gorgeous, talented women ultimately regarded Sid as their favorite leading man. That's really saying something--and I, for one, certainly can't blame 'em. Thanks so much for posting.
Is there a general consensus as to which was the best overall work, (writing, performing , etc) Caesars Hour or Your Show of Shows?...I know YSOS is revered and considered groundbreaking and legendary in the very earliest days of TV, but everyone was experienced by the time of C/H...I guess the main difference was the substitution of Nanette Fabray for the incomparable Imogene Coca {who I believe was given her own show..causing the end of YSOS?}....thanks....
Wow. That's a tough one. No consensus that I know of; I think it comes down to personal preference. CH has some classic sketches, which as wgw has noted, were longer and in some ways more ambitious, plus you had the addition of Larry Gelbart to the writing staff. However, at this point, having seen almost all of YSOS at the Paley Center for Media, I'd vote for YSOS. Nanette Fabray was very good; Imogene Coca was superb. And Sid, although brilliant in some of those CH sketches (how do you dismiss Gallipacci, On the Docks, or Aggravation Boulevard--you don't), IMHO demonstrated a range of comic acting that was brilliant and unparalleled on YSOS. And, yes, Imogene's departure was one of the factors in YSOS's end. But from what I've been able to find out, it was more the work of her agent to get her her own show, and she later expressed regret about the way things turned out. --kjh
Thanks for your excellent analysis...one last question..is it possible that Sid's work may have suffered somewhat during C/H, because by that time, he apparently was consuming massive quantities of liquor and pills ( in order to be able sleep I believe, plus relieve the overwhelming pressure of the 39 week live schedule)...from my reading and watching interviews, the pills and liquor began during the YSOS run for sure, but by C/H time, it must have been completely out of control...thanks...
Basically, yes! Sid, in "Where Have I Been?" (I think) said that when he watched episodes of CH later, he could see that the liquor and pills were beginning to affect his timing. The sketches ran longer than they should have because he was repeating himself. And, of course, it got far worse afterward. On YSOS, he was still able to handle it; there's no indication from what I've seen that his performances were affected. --kjh
This is just an opinion/it's all subjective anyway. I loved Imogene Coca. What a spectacular talent. But, I later grew to love Nanette Fabray. They just were different and each brought there own special talents to the show. I just can't pick one over the other. I suppose that Coca was involved with Caesar over a longer period of time tends to lock us into her to a greater extent, but people who came later,who had never seen those early shows have expressed how wonderful Fabray was, and couldn't imagine Caesar without her being his main comedic "squeeze". I guess this might be called an embarrassment of riches!
Great clip.The woman singing had a great voice.
That's Nanette Fabray who did major Broadway musicals and was quite known for her voice.
Thanks for posting this! The last (and only) time I saw this was at a private showing some 34 years ago. Earl Wild, my teacher at the time, wrote the background music to this skit.
Wow-- how interesting! Thanks for the comment.
My mother studied with Earl Wild's teacher, Carnegie Tech's (now Carnegie Mellon) Selmar Jansen.
Nanette's character, Moxie Heart, is named after Roxie Heart, the main character in "Chicago" which was filmed several times before being turned into a musical. The version closest to this would have been "Roxie Heart" 1942, with Ginger Rogers.
Posting this particular sketch today in honor of Carl Reiner's 93rd birthday, since he's heavily featured in this one. Happy birthday, Carl! And many more-- please!
I came here because Woody Allen's film Bullets Over Broadway is one of my all-time favourites and I just learnt that the title came from a Sid Caesar sketch. I was however in for another surprise, when Sid walked in the door wearing that hat and I said, "It's Boss Hijack!!" from another of my favourite films: My Favorite Year, which of course was inspired by working for Sid Caesar. I'd actually always wondered what the story behind Boss Hijack was, as so much else in that film had been inspired by actual situations.
Me too. First time I'm watching him. Now I know. My Favorite year is a one of a kind movie
It should be more well known than it is. @@johngarcia8827
This looks like a satire of the stage show Chicago, with character Roxie Hart, and the singing etc.
Woody Allen worked for Your Show of Shows during the last year that he program was on the air. One wonders if he had anything to do with the writing of this episode or was later inspired to make a movie using its title....
Mr. Allen was gracious enough to reach out to his old boss, Mr. Caesar, to ask permission to use the title of this sketch for his film. Of course, Sid agreed. . . and he also really appreciated the gesture since his own star had faded and Woody was in his prime at that time. Thanks so much for posting.
The part at 24:10 makes me cry. Sid's character was a gangster & a true mensch . . . much like the man himself.
God Bless you and your channel. Seriously. PS- Woody Allen asked Sid if he could use the title of this sketch for his movie, wanted to pay, to which Sid of course agreed, and would not take a penny.
I didn't know that story about Woody asking for permission to use the title-- interesting! Especially since Woody wasn't a writer for Sid yet at this point. He only wrote for the specials that followed the cancellation of "Caesar's Hour".
Thanks for the comment-- I'm really glad you enjoy these sketches. They were the best of the best, all of them, everyone associated with these shows.
Sid Caesar: Your Show of Shows / Caesar's Hour / Admiral Broadway Revue that's right, Allen didn't write for Sid until the Chevy special in 1958, but he was a huge fan and knew the show well. It's a true story about the Bullets title- Caesar recounted it in his second book. PS if you post the Victors sketch about Nan's smoking, you win a gold star and my unending gratitude. All the best and thanks again for the best channel on YT.
I understand the error frequently made (including Woody in the early writing stable of Y/S/O/S and Caesars Hour), because of the huge success woody later went on to with his films, but it does a disservice to the original core group who were responsible for the spectacular work that was put on live 39 weeks/yr in TV's infancy...
He was a Genius ‼️
I heard the TV when I went to sleep when I was a kid inth '50's
There was a sketch on the Danny Kaye Show in the 60's, in which Danny played a mob boss who could see "like a hawk" because he ate a lot of carrots. He could even see through walls. I can't help thinking that the inspiration must have come from this skit.
The Ille de France---the ship that was scuttled a few years later for the film, THE LAST VOYAGE.
Nanette Fabray must have been very happy to have the work appearing opposite Sid, but it had to be kind of difficult, knowing everyone would be comparing her to Imogene Coca, who had the incomparable chemistry working with Sid on the legendary Your Show of Shows...It would have been tough for anyone, but I think Nanette did as well as anyone could have under the cirumstances..
I like to think Sid loved both of his leading ladies equally. For that matter, he also loved Giselle Mackenzie and Edie Adams. What's most remarkable is that all of these gorgeous, talented women ultimately regarded Sid as their favorite leading man. That's really saying something--and I, for one, certainly can't blame 'em. Thanks so much for posting.
I'm in love with Nanette. For tonight, anyway.
Is there a general consensus as to which was the best overall work, (writing, performing , etc) Caesars Hour or Your Show of Shows?...I know YSOS is revered and considered groundbreaking and legendary in the very earliest days of TV, but everyone was experienced by the time of C/H...I guess the main difference was the substitution of Nanette Fabray for the incomparable Imogene Coca {who I believe was given her own show..causing the end of YSOS?}....thanks....
Wow. That's a tough one. No consensus that I know of; I think it comes down to personal preference. CH has some classic sketches, which as wgw has noted, were longer and in some ways more ambitious, plus you had the addition of Larry Gelbart to the writing staff. However, at this point, having seen almost all of YSOS at the Paley Center for Media, I'd vote for YSOS. Nanette Fabray was very good; Imogene Coca was superb. And Sid, although brilliant in some of those CH sketches (how do you dismiss Gallipacci, On the Docks, or Aggravation Boulevard--you don't), IMHO demonstrated a range of comic acting that was brilliant and unparalleled on YSOS. And, yes, Imogene's departure was one of the factors in YSOS's end. But from what I've been able to find out, it was more the work of her agent to get her her own show, and she later expressed regret about the way things turned out. --kjh
Thanks for your excellent analysis...one last question..is it possible that Sid's work may have suffered somewhat during C/H, because by that time, he apparently was consuming massive quantities of liquor and pills ( in order to be able sleep I believe, plus relieve the overwhelming pressure of the 39 week live schedule)...from my reading and watching interviews, the pills and liquor began during the YSOS run for sure, but by C/H time, it must have been completely out of control...thanks...
Basically, yes! Sid, in "Where Have I Been?" (I think) said that when he watched episodes of CH later, he could see that the liquor and pills were beginning to affect his timing. The sketches ran longer than they should have because he was repeating himself. And, of course, it got far worse afterward. On YSOS, he was still able to handle it; there's no indication from what I've seen that his performances were affected. --kjh
This is just an opinion/it's all subjective anyway. I loved Imogene Coca. What a spectacular talent. But, I later grew to love Nanette Fabray. They just were different and each brought there own special talents to the show. I just can't pick one over the other. I suppose that Coca was involved with Caesar over a longer period of time tends to lock us into her to a greater extent, but people who came later,who had never seen those early shows have expressed how wonderful Fabray was, and couldn't imagine Caesar without her being his main comedic "squeeze". I guess this might be called an embarrassment of riches!
Thanks so much for posting. I loved your book about YSOS and only wish it could have been longer. Nowadays, Sid is all but forgotten these days
the sagent from car 54
It is a takeoff on n love me or leave me