ETHEL MERMAN

As mentioned elsewhere, this series gave remarkably short-shrift to Ethel Merman (as well as Gwen Verdon, Carol Channing, and Angela Lansbury). As has also been mentioned, it gave remarkably short-shrift to the popular shows of the 1950s and 1960s, as though popularity itself were something to be downplayed. Merman's place in musical theater can't be underestimated - she was responsible for introducing more hit songs - and establishing more shows as hits - than any other artist, including her friend Mary Martin.

Anyway, there's a very brief clip during the 1960s/1970s of Ethel Merman in the white HELLO, DOLLY! finale dress, on a ladder next to a street sign that reads "Hello Dolly Square" - this was one of the events to celebrate DOLLY over-taking MY FAIR LADY as Broadway's longest running musical.

Well, believe it or not, although out of camera range, yours truly - aged 14 - was standing about 2 feet from The Merm!

"I AM big - it's the pictures that got small!"