Ginger Rogers Singing "Before The Parade Passes By" from "Hello Dolly"!- Page 2

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 5:17am

markypoo said: "Oh, how I would love to hear Ginger's take on "I Put My Hand In."

Bet it was sublime."

Here you go.  Curious as to why the long pause after she reveals herself on the trolley during “Call On Dolly”?

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 6:46am

The pause was because of the red wig. Audiences didn't recognize her at first.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 7:04am

Dollypop said: "The pause was because of the red wig. Audiences didn't recognize her at first."

Wait.  Are you kidding me?  I mean, by the time she joined the production I’m sure most knew how Dolly makes her entrance so you’d assume she’d get the entrance applause all Dolly Levi get.  When I heard this, I was thrown off as it’s quite a few seconds before the audience erupts into applause.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 8:50am

By then, the show was playing to mostly out-of-towners who didn't know how Dolly made her entrance.

Bibi Osterwald told me that at the two performances where  she replaced Ginger an announcent was made just before the downbeat: "At this performance the role of Mrs Levi will be played by Bibi Osterwald" and very few people realized that "Mrs Levi" was actually Dolly.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 10:10am

I can understand that.  I’m sure those out-of-towners expected “Ginger Rogers” to come out spinning as a platinum blonde in a white satin dress with plumes like in one of her Astaire dances from the 1930s.  Then there’s this red head announcing “Dolly Levi” so they’re probably looking around the stage for Ginger before it hit them: THAT is Ginger!  Sadly, most non-Broadway savvy folks don’t pay attention as on other threads here people have said they heard audiences thought Sutton Foster’s understudy was Sutton and Beanie Feldstein’s standby was Beanie even though inserts in the Playbill clearly make it clear the understudy is on.  

[David10086]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 4:46pm

Midnight Radio said: "Melissa McCarthy needs a crack at the role"

For some really interesting casting, I think they needed to cast Charo in the role as 'Dolly' - stunt casting like they did with Pamela Anderson in 'Chicago'. She would've sold tickets. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 7:13pm

Or maybe Loretta Swit!

[David10086]

Posted: 7/6/22 at 11:39pm

Loretta needs to join Paradise Square to boost the box office. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:03am

David10086 said: "Loretta needs to join Paradise Square to boost the box office."

 

A remarkable idea. Give her star billing!

 

 

[David10086]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 12:08pm

I was at Loretta Swit's  44th Annual 'All-Star Celebrity Fourth of July BBQ Celebration' in her backyard this past weekend. You had to see her powerful rendition of "Let It Burn!" right before some pyrotechnics were shot off by Alan Alda in the backyard.  It was spectacular, and Wendy Williams led a standing ovation. Andrew Lloyd Webber announced he had just found his new 'Norma Desmond'. Faye Dunaway told guests she was the inspiration for the character 'Hot Lips Houlihan' in M*A*S*H, but never got her royalties due her. 

 

It was all fun and games until Swit's mansion caught fire from stray fireworks, and 'Flo from Progressive' showed up, and reminded her that her property insurance coverage had lapsed a few days before. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 12:13pm

Ah! La Swit!

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 12:30pm

I was a young gay-boy-in-training in those days, and DOLLY was always on my list of shows to visit. I saw Channing several times, and Betty Grable (who was great fun) and Bailey even more times (and eventually saw Molly Picon in summer theatre in Philadelphia). But I never got to see Ginger; friends said she was dull in the role, so I skipped it. Seeing these excerpts makes me sorry that I did...

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 12:34pm

One thing that has always impressed me about HELLO, DOLLY! is that it's a show that "swirls": the sets swirl, the dancers swirl and the costumes swirl. Ginger Rogers was a tall, graceful woman who gave the impression of swirling, therefore letting her fit in with all the swirling around her.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:06pm

Dollypop said: "One thing that has always impressed me about HELLO, DOLLY! is that it's a show that "swirls": the sets swirl, the dancers swirl and the costumes swirl. Ginger Rogers was a tall, graceful woman who gave the impression of swirling, therefore letting her fit in with all the swirling around her."

Actually she was only 5'4". Quite petite.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:21pm

BJR said: "Dollypop said: "BJR said: "Who would there be? Goldie Hawn comes to mind but there aren't many other "stars" today who could carry the show. The producers ruled out a revolving door of real housewives and Joy Behar tirned them down."

I feel like there was endless talk on here at the time.

From what I recall, folks mentioned Reba (a rumor for a second, though I doubt with much truth), Queen Latifah (doesnt wanna do Bway), Catherine Zeta Jone, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Faith Prince, Beth Leavel. Chime in folks, I know I'm forgetting many!

Oh, and Joy was offered the Nat'l tour. Still bizarre, but yeah. How odd they went to her before going to Buckley..."

Not odd.  Because of the View, her name would have sold more additional tickets (over subscription base) than Buckley.  No question.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:45pm

poisonivy2 said: "Dollypop said: "One thing that has always impressed me about HELLO, DOLLY! is that it's a show that "swirls": the sets swirl, the dancers swirl and the costumes swirl. Ginger Rogers was a tall, graceful woman who gave the impression of swirling, therefore letting her fit in with all the swirling around her."

 

Then David Burns must have been 4'1" because she towered over him



Actually she was only 5'4". Quite petite."

 

[David10086]

Posted: 7/7/22 at 10:55pm

As much as I adore Buckley and believe she was a knockout in the role, I just can’t imagine her as Dolly. Especially on tour, where she’s not exactly a household name, or appreciated like she is on Broadway. They definitely should have gone with a pop singer or TV actress/personality.  Valerie Bertinelli would have been a good choice (and I think she can carry a tune). 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 7:24am

If Valerie Bertinelli was Dolly, Boyd Gaines could have been her Horace.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 7:46am

Bette Midler is 5’1”.  Noticeably tinier than Ginger Rogers.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 10:41am

Bernadette Peters and Donna Murphy might also be short.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 11:39am

Dollypop said: "Bernadette Peters and Donna Murphy might also be short."

Bernadette Peters: 5’3”

Barbra Streisand: 5’5”

And then there’s the Amazonian Donna Murphy at a towering 5’8”!

[David10086]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 12:35pm

Dollypop said: "If Valerie Bertinelli was Dolly, Boyd Gaines could have been her Horace."


Now that would have been fun and created some buzz. I could just imagine this casting! 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 4:01pm

I'm guessing that the tallest Dolly's were Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller and Ethel Merman

Updated On: 7/8/22 at 04:01 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 4:21pm

Dollypop said: "I'm guessing that the tallest Dolly's were Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Filler and Ethel Merman"

Pearl Bailey: 5’6 1/2”

Phyllis Diller: 5’1” (same as Bette Midler)

Ethel Merman: 5’5 1/2”

Donna Murphy still towers all the ladies at 5’8”!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/8/22 at 6:45pm

When Channing originated the role she was 5'10"

 

How about Grable?