NYC's Townhouse

[Tonyko]

http://40.media.tumblr.com/065d8501b2f57fe517f3880594967163/tumblr_nr6jfk9Onl1qgyefyo5_1280.jpg

 

I believe that "The Sound of Music" film was better than the broadway show, except for "Do-Re-Me," and "My Favorite Things." After her huge success on live TV with "Peter Pan" in 1955 and 1956, the audience wanted to see as much of Mary Martin as possible. So the very simple staging of "Do-Re-Mi" accomplshed what the audience wanted. People do not realize all these years later, that "The Sound of Music" on Broadway was always sold-out. I could only get a ticket in the highest balcony at age 16 in 1960.

My uncle was an actor has a photo of himself with the REAL one lol, Maria, from when he was young and in summer stock somewhere in New England Vermont??? IDK I'd have to ask him, but she lived close by and was invited to every opening season of the company. I haven't seen the pic in a while BUT from what I remember she was NOT Mary Martin and DEF not Julie Andrews and (unless she changed radically) nor had she been even in her youth lol. She looked like a heavy pinched older woman who cleans floors, NOT what I expected at all. (this was mid 70's no idea how old should woulds been then) He said all she talked about what the HUGE screwing she got on Sound Of Music since she'd sold the life rights to their story WAY early in the 50's and how she made next to nothing from the show and (most successfull after G.W.T.W) movie of all time, the ppl she sold her story to made all the $$$.

[+ WilliamM]

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/043/MI0000043776.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

 

Mary Martin's husband, Richard Halliday, was one of the co-producers and investors in "The Sound of Music." Halliday'a name is on the orginal record album. If Martin & Halliday had not so strongly pursued a musical based on her life, Maria would have received nothing. I also agree that Maria had good reason to be upset. I did see Maria in person in 1985. Yes, she was not at all what I expected -- not even close.

[+ Gar1eth]

http://40.media.tumblr.com/065d8501b2f57fe517f3880594967163/tumblr_nr6jfk9Onl1qgyefyo5_1280.jpg

 

I believe that "The Sound of Music" film was better than the broadway show, except for "Do-Re-Me," and "My Favorite Things." After her huge success on live TV with "Peter Pan" in 1955 and 1956, the audience wanted to see as much of Mary Martin as possible. So the very simple staging of "Do-Re-Mi" accomplshed what the audience wanted. People do not realize all these years later, that "The Sound of Music" on Broadway was always sold-out. I could only get a ticket in the highest balcony at age 16 in 1960.

 

If you want to talk about 'suspending disbelief'-by the time the movie was made-Mary Martin was in her 50's. I don't think that would have worked. She was 46 when she started the role on Broadway. She never could have done it except for the distance theater brings. I doubt anyone would do a production unless they had no other choice with a Maria in her 40's.

 

I read that Theodore Bikel the original Captain Von Trapp was asked about taking the part in the movie. He was actually about 10 years younger than Martin. But he turned it down out of loyalty to Mary as there was no way they could cast her.

 

 

My uncle was an actor has a photo of himself with the REAL one lol, Maria, from when he was young and in summer stock somewhere in New England Vermont??? IDK I'd have to ask him, but she lived close by and was invited to every opening season of the company. I haven't seen the pic in a while BUT from what I remember she was NOT Mary Martin and DEF not Julie Andrews and (unless she changed radically) nor had she been even in her youth lol. She looked like a heavy pinched older woman who cleans floors, NOT what I expected at all. (this was mid 70's no idea how old should woulds been then) He said all she talked about what the HUGE screwing she got on Sound Of Music since she'd sold the life rights to their story WAY early in the 50's and how she made next to nothing from the show and (most successfull after G.W.T.W) movie of all time, the ppl she sold her story to made all the $$$.

 

http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0000/043/MI0000043776.jpg?partner=allrovi.com

 

Mary Martin's husband, Richard Halliday, was one of the co-producers and investors in "The Sound of Music." Halliday'a name is on the orginal record album. If Martin & Halliday had not so strongly pursued a musical based on her life, Maria would have received nothing. I also agree that Maria had good reason to be upset. I did see Maria in person in 1985. Yes, she was not at all what I expected -- not even close.

 

I saw Maria on Julie Andrew's variety show once which ran from 1972-73. Maria would have been in her late 60's by that time. (I loved Julie Andrews and variety shows. But for some reason -even though I watched it-I didn't like hers. Unless by chance I'm getting it confused with the Donny and Marie Show. I definitely hated that one. But I watched it as it was the only thing on. I don't think I had a crush on Donny until he grew up a bit more). Julie asked how she had done. Maria told her that her yodeling wasn't very good and then yodeled.

 

I came across an article fairly recently. I'm not sure if it was a recent article or not. It was either by one of the surviving Von Trapp children or a grandchild. The article reported that instead of being the soft one, Maria was the more strict disciplinarian.

 

Gman

[+ WilliamM]

If you want to talk about 'suspending disbelief'-by the time the movie was made-Mary Martin was in her 50's

 

Interesting that the 1955 and 1956 live versions of Mary Martin's "Peter Pan" were finally released on DVD about ten days ago. Martin always liked live TV; it's easy to see why in the DVDs which are in black and white. I like it better than the 1960 color version, which was not directed by Jerome Robbins and was not broadcast live. I believe 85,000,000 households watched the first broadcast: "Peter Pan" had just closed on Broadway when Broadway was still a big deal.

 

So it's the only chance to see Martin at her best in one of her signature roles.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Starring-Martin-Blu-ray/dp/B0130HWAJI/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1442702623&sr=1-1&keywords=peter+pan+mary+marti

[+ Gar1eth]

Interesting that the 1955 and 1956 live versions of Mary Martin's "Peter Pan" were finally released on DVD about ten days ago. Martin always liked live TV; it's easy to see why in the DVDs which are in black and white. I like it better than the 1960 color version, which was not directed by Jerome Robbins and was not broadcast live. I believe 85,000,000 households watched the first broadcast: "Peter Pan" had just closed on Broadway when Broadway was still a big deal.

 

So it's the only chance to see Martin at her best in one of her signature roles.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Starring-Martin-Blu-ray/dp/B0130HWAJI/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1442702623&sr=1-1&keywords=peter+pan+mary+marti

 

I remember the color version. I always liked that as a child. But I think the time has come for a male to take back the role of Peter Pan. I am no longer able to suspend my disbelief far enough for a female in the role.

 

Gman

[+ WilliamM]

I remember the color version. I always liked that as a child. But I think the time has come for a male to take back the role of Peter Pan. I am no longer able to suspend my disbelief far enough for a female in the role.

 

Did you ever see Mary Martin perform in person? The 1955 or 1956 DVDs are the closest you will ever get. She is totally engaged throughout in a way she just was not in the 1960 version. Also, the black and white versions have the original Broadway cast.

 

If last December's live production on NBC did not cast a male as Peter, you will have a very long wait for another version, Gman.

[+ Gar1eth]

Did you ever see Mary Martin perform in person? The 1955 or 1956 DVDs are the closest you will ever get. She is totally engaged throughout in a way she just was not in the 1960 version. Also, the black and white versions have the original Broadway cast.

I can't remember if I've seen snippets of them or not.

 

If last December's live production on NBC did not cast a male as Peter, you will have a very long wait for another version, Gman.

 

 

Gman

[Despardo]

While I don't like all-I love many of the classic movie musicals. One of the first movies I remember seeing was Mary Poppins. I would probably have been about 3 or 4. I also have vague memories of seeing The Sound Of Music with my family when I was 4 or 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie when I was 6, and Funny Girl when I was 7. I have to admit Mary Poppins has held up better then The Sound Of Music. I think I saw Oliver with a school friend when I was 9. And then there were Finian's Rainbow, Dr. Doolittle, Fiddler On The Roof, Mame,and Camelot. Not all have held up as well. But I loved them all at the time. Millie, Dolly, Mame, and Funny Girl remain among my favorites.

 

Gman

Cabaret was one of the most successful movies of a stage musical. It is a terrific film. Other good film versions include Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Music Man. Less successful (to downright painful) films of shows include Song of Norway, Carousel (regrettably,) South Pacific, How to Succeed in Business, Gypsy and many more.

[Despardo]

Did you ever see Mary Martin perform in person? The 1955 or 1956 DVDs are the closest you will ever get. She is totally engaged throughout in a way she just was not in the 1960 version. Also, the black and white versions have the original Broadway cast.

 

If last December's live production on NBC did not cast a male as Peter, you will have a very long wait for another version, Gman.

I saw Mary Martin and Cyril Richard live in Peter Pan at the Wintergarden Theater in NYC circa 1954. I was 5 years old and still remember bits of it. My parents subsequently took me to see My Fair Lady, Sound of Music and many others.

[Despardo]

http://40.media.tumblr.com/065d8501b2f57fe517f3880594967163/tumblr_nr6jfk9Onl1qgyefyo5_1280.jpg

 

I believe that "The Sound of Music" film was better than the broadway show, except for "Do-Re-Me," and "My Favorite Things." After her huge success on live TV with "Peter Pan" in 1955 and 1956, the audience wanted to see as much of Mary Martin as possible. So the very simple staging of "Do-Re-Mi" accomplshed what the audience wanted. People do not realize all these years later, that "The Sound of Music" on Broadway was always sold-out. I could only get a ticket in the highest balcony at age 16 in 1960.

I saw it on Broadway with Martha Wright (?) in the lead after Martin had left the show. I'm not a big fan of the movie, although it is not as bad as I like to pretend it is--just not much to my taste. Two very good and sophisticated songs from the original show were both cut from the movie, How Can Love Survive, and another one involving the countess and Max (?) Otherwise, I fall into the line of critical thinking that instinctively tells me that a show about nuns and children simply can't be all good. Or, as Christopher Plumber put it, "Acting in the Sound of Music was like being hit over the head repeatedly by a Hallmark card." Interesting point: of the 5 really big Rogers and Hammerstein shows, S of M is the only one that does not involve the death of a major character.

[+ WilliamM]

I met Mary Martin around 1980. She was fun, especially talking about the problems she had during live two or three-hour TV shows. Live TV shows require several stages for the various scenes. At one point, the distance in a live "Annie Get Your Gun" on TV was so far that people had to literally carry her to another distance stage so she would not be out of breath. But, she loved telling those stories, and loved live TV.

 

No gossip; she said nice things about everyone, including Merman. One sad memory: Martin said she could not listen to the original Broadway Recording of her "I Do! I Do!" after her husband died in 1973.

 

You are very lucky to seen those shows, much congratulation, Despardo.

 

I also regret the lose of those two songs in the films.. Earlier I posted that it took me 40 years to see the film.

[ncc1701d]

Axiom, I would definitely recommend you pay a visit to Townhouse. It is somewhat upscale and the dress code is enforced. !!!

 

Curious..what exactly is the dress code for such a bar????

[+ Gar1eth]

Cabaret was one of the most successful movies of a stage musical. It is a terrific film. Other good film versions include Oklahoma!, The King and I, and The Music Man. Less successful (to downright painful) films of shows include Song of Norway, Carousel (regrettably,) South Pacific, How to Succeed in Business, Gypsy and many more.

 

I've only seen the movie of Cabaret. I don't like it. Maybe it's because of the subject matter. But it's not to my taste at all. I won't say I dislike all depressing things. But if you give me a choice, I'll pick something happy.

 

I saw it on Broadway with Martha Wright (?) in the lead after Martin had left the show. I'm not a big fan of the movie, although it is not as bad as I like to pretend it is--just not much to my taste. Two very good and sophisticated songs from the original show were both cut from the movie, How Can Love Survive, and another one involving the countess and Max (?) .

 

For some reason I've known How Can Love Survive for a long time. Maybe because I saw the play twice-once as a child and once in high school. I think this recent live performance-besides suffering from Carrie Underwood's inability to act-should have included the marionette/Lonely Goatherd song.

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

Curious..what exactly is the dress code for such a bar????

 

If you are wearing a nice shirt, slacks, and a sports coat, I think that's probably fine. I only went once. I arrived just before closing. I didn't know about the dress code. I had jeans on. No one talked to me. But I was only there for another thirty minutes. I'm not even sure if there were many escorts there. It very well could have been my last visit to NYC. So I wanted to at least see what it looked like.

 

Gman

[Tonyko]

If you want to talk about 'suspending disbelief'-by the time the movie was made-Mary Martin was in her 50's. I don't think that would have worked. She was 46 when she started the role on Broadway. She never could have done it except for the distance theater brings. I doubt anyone would do a production unless they had no other choice with a Maria in her 40's.

 

I read that Theodore Bikel the original Captain Von Trapp was asked about taking the part in the movie. He was actually about 10 years younger than Martin. But he turned it down out of loyalty to Mary as there was no way they could cast her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw Maria on Julie Andrew's variety show once which ran from 1972-73. Maria would have been in her late 60's by that time. (I loved Julie Andrews and variety shows. But for some reason -even though I watched it-I didn't like hers. Unless by chance I'm getting it confused with the Donny and Marie Show. I definitely hated that one. But I watched it as it was the only thing on. I don't think I had a crush on Donny until he grew up a bit more). Julie asked how she had done. Maria told her that her yodeling wasn't very good and then yodeled.

 

I came across an article fairly recently. I'm not sure if it was a recent article or not. It was either by one of the surviving Von Trapp children or a grandchild. The article reported that instead of being the soft one, Maria was the more strict disciplinarian.

 

Gman

Apparently ALOTTA dramatic license was taken lol, starting with her never even entering her postulate (stage one of becoming a nun) and the fact that The Captain was way more fond of laying in the sun than earning any kind of a living, and she supported the fam and wore the pants making the kids work making home made articles and goods to sell, and eventually by singing at parties and events for money. AND the biggie, their fleeing Austria and the Nazi's by buying tickets and taking a train to Switzerland (SO less interesting than hiding in a convent graveyard and hiking across the mountains) The "show" story was better;)

I also saw my uncle tonight and he said she, not the most astute businesswoman, foolishly sold their LIFE rights to a publisher for a book version of their story sometime after the war, rather than limited rights. For something like a thousand dollars. And that (news to me) there was an EARLIER film version of their story, made in Austria, (non singing) in the early fifties, based on the book for which the publisher got paid, not them. Same with the Broadway show in the late 50's and the huge movie in 65, ALL $$$ went to the orig publisher she'd sold their life story to oy! Apparently they did make some small amounts from personal appearances and things like that based on their fame when the show and eventually the movie opened, but PEANUTS compared to what they COULD have. It's like if the chick who wrote the H. Potter books had sold all rights to her publisher for 100K and the 100MIL the moveis made went to him

[+ Gar1eth]

Apparently ALOTTA dramatic license was taken lol, starting with her never even entering her postulate (stage one of becoming a nun) and the fact that The Captain was way more fond of laying in the sun than earning any kind of a living, and she supported the fam and wore the pants making the kids work making home made articles and goods to sell, and eventually by singing at parties and events for money. AND the biggie, their fleeing Austria and the Nazi's by buying tickets and taking a train to Switzerland (SO less interesting than hiding in a convent graveyard and hiking across the mountains) The "show" story was better;)

I also saw my uncle tonight and he said she, not the most astute businesswoman, foolishly sold their LIFE rights to a publisher for a book version of their story sometime after the war, rather than limited rights. For something like a thousand dollars. And that (news to me) there was an EARLIER film version of their story, made in Austria, (non singing) in the early fifties, based on the book for which the publisher got paid, not them. Same with the Broadway show in the late 50's and the huge movie in 65, ALL $$$ went to the orig publisher she'd sold their life story to oy! Apparently they did make some small amounts from personal appearances and things like that based on their fame when the show and eventually the movie opened, but PEANUTS compared to what they COULD have. It's like if the chick who wrote the H. Potter books had sold all rights to her publisher for 100K and the 100MIL the moveis made went to him

 

 

This movie is from 1956. The heading at the top translates as 'From the memories of the Baroness Von Trapp'.

(I always new my 3-1/2 years of German in college would be useful)

 

Another funny thing nowadays is that the Captain was a naval officer. But since the break up of Austria-Hungary, Austria is landlocked and has no navy.

 

Gman

[Tonyko]

This movie is from 1956. The heading at the top translates as 'From the memories of the Baroness Von Trapp'.

(I always new my 3-1/2 years of German in college would be useful)

 

Another funny thing nowadays is that the Captain was a naval officer. But since the break up of Austria-Hungary, Austria is landlocked and has no navy.

 

Gman

Am I crazy lol or do they seem to have FIVE DAUGHTERS in this version ???? (This is 8 years before "Fiddler" so I don't think they got the two stories mixed up:rolleyes:)

[+ WilliamM]

I also saw my uncle tonight and he said she, not the most astute businesswoman, foolishly sold their LIFE rights to a publisher for a book version of their story sometime after the war, rather than limited rights. For something like a thousand dollars. And that (news to me) there was an EARLIER film version of their story, made in Austria, (non singing) in the early fifties, based on the book for which the publisher got paid, not them. Same with the Broadway show in the late 50's and the huge movie in 65, ALL $$$ went to the orig publisher she'd sold their life story to oy

 

At some point the rights to Maria von Trapp's story (book and film) expired. Martin's husband, Richard Halliday, waited a long time for the right to be available again. He bought the rights, hired the authors to write the Broadway show and negotiated with Rodgers and Hammerstein to write the music and lyrics. I took years. Mary Martin did a long tour of one-night concerts all across the U.S., starting in Alaska, and a lot of TV specials waiting for "The Sound of Music" to be ready for Broadway in 1959. It's much more complicated, and I am forgetting most of the details. But, the essential detail is that Mary Martin and Richard Halliday were finally in control of what became "The Sound of Music."

[N13]

How did a thread about The Townhouse turn into a 'Broadway' discussion? Wouldn't it be better to start a new thread than to hijack a thread that is about something totally different?

[Tonyko]

How did a thread about The Townhouse turn into a 'Broadway' discussion? Wouldn't it be better to start a new thread than to hijack a thread that is about something totally different?

I've lost count of the threads about/detailing/discussing/mentioning/incorporating mid-way/ - The Townhouse., some it's in the Subj, some are in completely unrelated threads, etc etc. To me ANYTHANG that keeps a discussion going is ok regardless of where it is, trying to control the flow is like walking your dog and trying to control where he pees, it's gonna go where it's gonna go.

[+ quoththeraven]

I've lost count of the threads about/detailing/discussing/mentioning/incorporating mid-way/ - The Townhouse., some it's in the Subj, some are in completely unrelated threads, etc etc. To me ANYTHANG that keeps a discussion going is ok regardless of where it is, trying to control the flow is like walking your dog and trying to control where he pees, it's gonna go where it's gonna go.

 

Or like herding cats. Even one cat.

[Diverdan]

Back to the TOWNHOUSE... smart jeans with a collared shirt, NO T-Shirt... perhaps a sport coat or jacket, dress slacks, etc. No funky jeans or tennis shoes, etc. Some guys, both young and old may be in suits and ties, especially if they come there for a drink after dinner, a play, etc. But don't worry about it, think of it as how you might dress going to a nice restaurant in NYC, where there is an upscale crowd. But, as I said before, I have always had a great time there, and met some great guys, both younger and older !!

[+ WilliamM]

How did a thread about The Townhouse turn into a 'Broadway' discussion? Wouldn't it be better to start a new thread than to hijack a thread that is about something totally different?

 

N13, It's been many years since I have been to the Townhouse, but I remember a piano with many of the songs from Broadway shows. I spent much time at Rounds, definitely a hustler bar, the same was true there. So, at least to me, there was an immediate subject connection.

[+ FreshFluff]

Or like herding cats. Even one cat.

 

I believe that someone else started this particular digression.

[+ quoththeraven]

I believe that someone else started this particular digression.

 

Heh. I was thinking of my cat the cat who lives with me. It is impossible to convince her to do anything she doesn't want to do.