The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music (1980) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Bob Henry

Writer:

Rod Warren (writer)

Release Date:

16 May 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Music

Plot:

A salute to American popular music and composers. |

Plot Keywords:

TV Special

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Karen Carpenter	...	Herself
Richard Carpenter	...	Himself
John Davidson	...	Himself
Ella Fitzgerald	...	Herself
Nelson Riddle	...	Himself

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Trivia:

Karen Carpenter's vocals were all pre-recorded and lip-synced. Ella Fitzgerald's vocals were all live.

Quotes:

Richard Carpenter: Good evening and welcome to a show about the things we love. Music and the people who make it.
Karen Carpenter: Richard and I can think of no better way to spend an hour, than to fill it with music.
Richard Carpenter: Many hours in our lives have been spent that way and this one is special, because it includes America's first lady of song... Miss Ella Fitzgerald.
Karen Carpenter: And a man who's always welcome, because he's one of the best friends a good song ever had... John Davidson.
Richard Carpenter: So after all the hour's of music that have preceded this one in our lives, we are very happy to welcome you to one more hour of music, music, music.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "E! True Hollywood Story: Karen Carpenter" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Karen / Ella

Karen and Ella, Two Giant Singers!

This ABC television special is what its title claims: "Music, Music, Music." There was very little conversation, so a maximum amount of music was performed in the limited amount of time available. Guests were Ella Fitzgerald, John Davidson, and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. John Davidson's musical talent may be overlooked, but he was able to sing quite well. He was upstaged, of course, by two of the best singers of the Twentieth Century. Ella Fitzgerald fans will appreciate seeing her perform an equal amount of time as Karen Carpenter, and she sang a wonderful duet of old standards with Karen as well. Richard and Karen did not rely on the early hits for this musical outing, but they did briefly touch on them toward the end. Some newer songs chosen for this presentation may not be familiar to those people looking for The Carpenters' best known hits, but this performance is still captivating.