Zingo the strings of Sinatra and Merman's heart in this delightful music special from the Golden Age of Television, prior to color, prior to cable. I'm sure that even Judy Garland didn't mind hearing Merman sing the song that was her MGM audition when she was a child, and Ethel sells it in a special way, like she does with another Judy hit, the much softer "I'm always Chasing Rainbows". This is from the Frank Sinatra show, with the Bulova watch as its sponsor, but who cares about the advertising for now defunct product when you've got it these two still popular singers performing?
Talent certainly was just one of those things for Sinatra, and he sells the classic Cole Porter song like nobody else could. For low class comedy, this character actor Jesse White as an audience member who keeps interrupting Frank. Old blue eyes is surrounded by girls every time he sings a solo, following up the Cole Porter number with "42nd Street's" "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me". However, the highlight is a mixture of comedy and music, pretending that Frank and Ethel are married and recovering from a party when they are visited by the press. While Frank and Ethel are believable as good friends, imagining them as a married couple is hysterical in itself, and they have a good time playing on that. They joint together for another Cole Porter song, dueting on "You're the Top!", and indeed they are.
Talent certainly was just one of those things for Sinatra, and he sells the classic Cole Porter song like nobody else could. For low class comedy, this character actor Jesse White as an audience member who keeps interrupting Frank. Old blue eyes is surrounded by girls every time he sings a solo, following up the Cole Porter number with "42nd Street's" "You're Getting to be a Habit with Me". However, the highlight is a mixture of comedy and music, pretending that Frank and Ethel are married and recovering from a party when they are visited by the press. While Frank and Ethel are believable as good friends, imagining them as a married couple is hysterical in itself, and they have a good time playing on that. They joint together for another Cole Porter song, dueting on "You're the Top!", and indeed they are.