Customer Reviews

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Mediocre?" Good lord, no. This is a delightful, underrated score. Styne is at his brightest and most tuneful, and Leo Robin (a Hollywood veteran) provides surprisingly witty and apt lyrics. The first reviewer complains that the songs aren't always related to the plot. Like the "integrated" musical is the only way of doing things! (And besides, if you bother to look at the script, you'll see that every song is appropriate to the character who sings it.) Buy this CD and enjoy such treats as "I Love What I'm Doing," "It's Delightful Down In Chile," and the wacky "Sunshine." But most of all, enjoy the truly incredible choral singing, courtesy of vocal arranger Hugh Martin, who puts the songs through all sorts of jazzy, improvised-sounding riffs and creates a unique choral sound that has to be heard to be believed. The sound is good. Get it.

Contrary to the other reviewer, I find that this score is terrific. Sure, it's not one of the top Broadway scores like a GYPSY, SOUTH PACIFIC or SHE LOVES ME in which every or almost every song sparkles with the same equal fizz, but this score is melodic and like most of the also-rans of the 40s and 50s, outruns todays musicals in melodic value and strong musical theatre writing. We cared about the characters then, not the scenery. I suggest you find out for yourself. And while you're at it, read Anita Loos original novel (also for sale at Amazon)--it may be the best and most hilarious media form for the zany Lorelei Lee.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES is the classic Broadway musical that launched the career of diva Carol Channing, and proved to be the zenith for playwright Anita Loos.

Ms Channing plays the role of dizzy flapper Lorelei Lee to perfection and is ideally-parterned by Yvonne Adair as sidekick Dorothy.

Interestingly, Ms Channing sings most of her songs without her trademark "grate". She occasionally slips into her raspy tone during "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", but her "Just a Little Girl from Little Rock" is a crisp, clean delivery (this was a good decade before starring in HELLO, DOLLY!).

Yvonne Adair has a lovely singing-voice, used to best advantage in Dorothy's main big number "I Love What I'm Doin'". There are also great numbers like "I'm Atingle, I'm Aglow", "Maimie is Mimi", "You Say You Care" and "Homesick Blues" that never made it to the splashy Marilyn Monroe/Jane Russell movie (that was entirely different than the stage show, but just as delightful).

The cast also features Alice Pearce (best-known to musical-buffs as Lucy Schmeeler "girl of mystery" in ON THE TOWN), Jack McCauley, Eric Brotherson, George S. Irving and Reta Shaw.

Later followed by a rather-predictable 1995 Broadway revival starring K.T. Sullivan and Karen Prunzik.

It's Carol Channing singing 'Littlerock' and one other song that makes this worthwhile for someone who only saw the film.

Time has certainly damaged this musical; still, it's very nice to listen to thanks to Carol Channing's singing presence. The musical is sparkling, nostalgic and quite charming. Some songs will certainly run for ages such as "It's Delightful Down in Chile" and the most famous "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend", a B'way musical icon for all times. I would recommend this CD to collectors of rare items since it has more historical than musical relevance. And that certainly counts from a cultural viewpoint.

This is a show and score fondly remembered for being stronger than it really is. The best numbers (Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend; A Little Girl from Little rock) are steller but there is some filler material (Just a Kiss Apart, I'm A-Tingle I'm A-glow)and things go flat whenever Ms Channing isn't there.

Broadway collectors will want the CD because it uses several alternate takes, some of which are longer than those heard on the original Lp release. Alternate takes are used for: Bye Bye Baby; I Love What I'm Doing (includes introductory dialogue not on the Lp); It's Delightful Down in Chile; Sunshine; You Say You Care (has an extended ending); Homesick Blues (includes introductory dialogue.)

The booklet contains excellent notes on the history of the production, and a detailed synopsis. This show was already dated in 1949 and not of sufficient quality to warrant a full scale revival, but the original cast recording preserves the performances of one of the big Broadway hits of the 1940s.

This is a classic performance from the golden age of Broadway musicals. Carol Channing is incomparable as lorelei Lee.

This was Jule Styne's first "book" musical comedy for Broadway and it is mediocre in the extreme - with the notable exception of three numbers (Bye Bye Baby, A Little Girl From Little Rock and Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend - the latter two rendered by debuting comedienne Carol Channing.) These three numbers and Channing's now classic renditions of the latter two are the ONLY reason for purchasing this album. The songs do not relate to the plot or characters and they are as forgettable as Channing is not. The original 14 78-rpm sides have been sonically restored, but there's nothing to enjoy here except Carol.