Our Broadway Babe, Randie Levine-Miller, has unearthed some wonderfully entertaining musical nostalgia, including a tribute to Cole Porter, starring Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, along with Ethel Merman; a concert at the White House, with Broadway award winning stars performing with Marvin Hamlisch who also hosts; Ann Miller, candidly sharing stories and anecdotes about her life and times in show business; and a star-studded tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, hosted by John Wayne.

In Performance at the White House

From 1988, “In Performance at the White House”, which aired on PBS TV — A musical salute to Broadway with five outstanding award-winning showstoppers singing showstoppers: Dorothy Loudon, Jennifer Holliday, Bea Arthur, Elaine Paige and the legendary Broadway star, Mary Martin — with master of ceremonies and Musical Director, Marvin Hamlisch, looking and sounding great. It’s the Reagan White House years and Nancy Reagan does the introductions quite eloquently, and then she brings on her good friend, multiple award-winning composer, Marvin Hamlisch!  Putting politics aside, this was a really classy White House, and this is the best of the best of Musical theater performers.  A true treat that I recommend viewing.

Steve and Eydie

From 1977: “Steve and Eydie: From This Moment On”, showcasing the music of Cole Porter, was one of the best musical TV specials of its day. Starring Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, two of the greatest singers of the 20th century — they were a perfect blend, yet perfectly wonderful, individually. The icing on the cake is special guest, Ethel Merman, as well as, Bob Hope. They re-create a moment from their 1930s musical, “Red, Hot and Blue”. There is a bonus at the end of the video of some memorable musical clips with Steve and Eydie. This is musical nostalgia at its best!

All Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor

From 1977, this aired on CBS TV which benefited Variety Clubs International — helping underprivileged, and handicapped children. At that time, Elizabeth was married to Senator John Warner.  John Wayne hosts the evening with some of the top stars of the day paying tribute to Elizabeth, including: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Rock Hudson, Bob Hope, Peter Lawford, Roddy McDowall, John Travolta, June Allyson, Rowan and Martin, Robert Blake, Debbie Boone with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra.  It was a very glamorous evening for a very worthwhile cause with the stars on the stage, as well as in the audience, where we get a glimpse of many of them. Unfortunately, most are no longer with us. It’s a time capsule and worthwhile viewing.

An Interview with Ann Miller

From 1995, an archived interview from TCM with Movie and Broadway star, Ann Miller talking about her time at MGM, Columbia and RKO, as well as sharing some wonderful anecdotes about her friendships with Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn.  Candid and revealing, but always the lady, she doesn’t badmouth anyone. She was also good friends with Jimmy Stewart who she says was a very moral family man and a real gentleman. Everyone loved him. She proudly says that she introduced Lucille Ball to Desi Arnaz. She claims that Lucy fell in love with Desi at first sight!  Unknown fact about Ann Miller is that she is responsible for inventing pantyhose!  This is a totally engaging interview with this larger-than-life legendary glamour gal.  They don’t make them like that anymore … She was a real class act!