Sunday, November 05, 2023

It's a Lovely Day Today

Began the morning with breakfast in bed while listening to the Tyne Daly cast album for Call Me Madam. This is the 1995 recording of the first off-Broadway Encores concert, with Daly in Merman's role as Washington "hostess with the mostess on the ball" Sally Adams. Lewis Cleale is her secretary who falls for princess Melissa Ericho, and Walter Charles is the foreign minister of a tiny European principality who falls for Sally. For all that the story hasn't dated well, there's some great Irving Berlin songs in the score. Cleale and Daily have a charming "You're Just In Love," while Daly does equally well with patter numbers like "Hostess With the Mostess" and ballads like "Marrying for Love." 

Worked on writing briefly after the CD ended. Cora tells the hunchback she appreciates him. He has a rather sweet smile for such an unattractive fellow, making Cora's heart melt and wonder if he'd always been so scary. Alas, the moment doesn't last, for one of Stephen's people come looking for her.

Headed out to work after that. Spent most of the day pushing carts, and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. The weather was just stunning. Sunny, breezy, and warmer than it has been, probably in the mid-60's. Couldn't be nicer for early November. I did have to gather outside trash and sweep later in the day when the morning baggers finished. Had to shelve a lot of cold items people didn't want, too. Between beginning of the month people and the Eagles playing the Cowboys at 4:30, we were busy for most of the day.

(Incidentally, the Eagles-Cowboys game was a hard-fought one that almost literally came down to the wire. The Eagles finally managed to push their way to the top, 28-23.)

Put on the soundtrack album for The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band while eating dinner. This musical about the title band who find themselves caught up in the contested election between Grover Cleveland and Henry Harrison in 1888 has some underrated music by the Sherman Brothers. The big number for the family "Ten Feet Off the Ground" is probably the best-known from the score, but I also like the charming duet "'Bout Time" for the oldest daughter and her suitor, Grandpa's "Drummin', Drummin', Drummin'" with the kids at school, and the chorus routine "West 'O the Wide Missouri" for the townspeople at the Election Day party.

Moved to YouTube for today's Match Game marathon. Original Call Me Madam star Ethel Merman was in the spotlight tonight. She had retired from Broadway by the time of her first appearance in 1975, but still made occasional appearances on the big and small screens. Gene and Charles doted on her, and Brett imitated her to the point where it got so annoying, Ethel told her to shut up at least three times. She didn't always seem to understand the humor, but she did play quite well. She saw Fannie Flagg flirt with handsome young gym teacher and Robert Hedgyes of Welcome Back Kotter join in. She and Don Sutton watched a man just barely win his game, then Fannie miss the obvious answer to "Bye Bye ___" in the Head-to-Head.

Everything's coming up roses for one of the all-time Broadway legends in this enjoyable marathon!


Finished off the night with The Lawrence Welk Show. They did at least one episode revolving around Election Day in 1980. Political candidate Ken Delo encourages his audience of two to "Hey, Look Me Over," while Bobby Burgess and Elaine Niverton dance to "Happy Days are Here Again." Ava Barber wonders "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" Tom Netherton sings the only hit song written by a former vice-president, "It's All In the Game," while Kathie Sullivan gushes over "Mr. Wonderful." Mary Lou Metzinger and Jack Imel show off their spurs that "Jingle Jangle Jingle." The band plays both sides of the political spectrum with "Baby Elephant Walk" and "The Donkey Serenade." Guy Hovis does a Johnny Cash recitation about that "Ragged Old Flag." Norma Zimmer and the chorus finish things off with the stirring "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Vote for Lawrence Welk and  his musical family to provide a delightful background to your Election Day party! (And warning - the only copy of this episode online is missing the first few minutes in the beginning.)

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