The eighteenth episode of The Julie Andrews Hour, shown on the ABC network February 3rd, 1973 , took
something of a different format than the previous shows. This show had four separate
segments, and neither of the guest stars--comedian Sid Caesar and singer John
Davidson—appeared in a scene with the other.
To open the show, Tony Charmoli choreographed a rather unusual
musical number, though it was also the costume design which made the dance unique. In the opening shot, Julie appears,
looking gorgeous, with her male dancers huddled behind her. Once the group
spreads out in the dance, we realize that everyone is connected by the costume they
are wearing. The medley/dance, which includes “On the Sunny Side of the
Street,” is quite funny.
For the next segment, Julie Andrews and Rich Little appear
together for a series of duets. As Julie explains, working with Rich, she can
sing with anyone she likes. In the first duet, Rich croons as Bing Crosby,
followed by musical impersonations of George Burns, Jack Benny, Humphrey
Bogart, James Stewart and Walter Brennan.
This segment of the show is very loose and gives us a chance to see Julie singing in a rather informal way. During the bit
on George Burns, she sings “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and produces the most glorious sounds with as much ease as the average person might sing “Ring Around the
Rosie.” Her singing here seems almost effortless and is truly remarkable.
When Rich Little plays Jimmy Stewart trying to
sing on key, he is so funny, Julie, who is attempting to sing with him, has a hard time not laughing.
***
For the next section of the show, Julie Andrews, along with
the eight Tony Charmoli Dancers, presents the “Look to the Stars” astrology
segment. Whether the show had some
complaints about this segment is not known, but before they begin, Julie
states, “Whether we believe it or not, astrology is fun to contemplate.”
Aquarius is the sign of the week, and, of course, that
famous song from the musical Hair is
the opening number. This portion of the show is photographed quite beautifully
with the elegant tall, curved mirrors, and wonderful lighting.
Julie wears a lovely deep blue halter gown and looks quite
beautiful as she begins the tribute to persons born under the sign of Aquarius by
quoting Lord Byron’s poem, She Walks in
Beauty Like the Night. Julie and the
dancers, wearing hats, then join in a short but cute tribute to Jimmy Durante, by
singing his theme song, “Inka Dinka Doo.” President Lincoln is also paid
tribute too, and it’s noticeable that an African-American dancer/singer joins
the group here and remains for the balance of the Look to the Stars segment.
The musical numbers here include Julie singing Victor
Herbert’s “I’m Falling in Love with Someone,” Carole King’s “Too Late Baby” and
Harold Arlen’s “Get Happy,” which closes the segment.
***
In the next scene, Julie announces singer, John Davidson.
John Davidson’s first musical appearance, against southwestern
architecture, is quite striking. Backed only by his guitar and a harmonica, he sings “Alone
Again, Naturally.”
No doubt, his appearance on the show caused some stir. Young, handsome and talented, at the time, he was one of the newest musical sensations. His version of
this song was quite effective, and as he comes to where Julie is standing, we see her crying
(really, just acting.) Davidson attempts to comfort her and finally gives her a hug to make her feel better. In that moment, she turns to the camera and winks, letting us know what she is
about!
***
 |
| Around the time of The Julie Andrews Hour |
Born in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania December 13, 1941 , John Davidson
attended high school in White Plains , New
York Denison University
During the late 1960s, television producer Bob Banner molded
John Davidson’s career. Along with his work on television and in theater,
Banner was responsible for procuring a Columbia Records contract during this
time, which led to 13 record albums and appearances in Las
Vegas
In 2013, Mr. Davidson is working in New
York City Florida
***
The next scene is a dream-like affair with John and Julie
lying amidst wild grass and daisies on a country hillside. Although this a complete
departure from all previous musical numbers on The Julie Andrews Hour, the scene certainly resonates film styles
of the period, and this musical number is shot like a film.
Singing “Lazy Afternoon” and “Feeling Good,” Julie and John
lie dreamily in the grass. At one point, he even strokes her hair. It’s a
beautifully photographed and the pair do a beautiful job singing together. This
duet would make a wonderful and unique addition to Julie’s Duets CD!!!
As a side note, this scene, with John and Julie dressed in
jeans and polo shirts, was no doubt the one during which Julie’s stand-in,
Sharri Zak, commented, “That’s the real Julie.”
***
The last portion of Episode 18 is a big departure from the
usual Julie Andrews Hour. For this
segment, famed comedian Sid Caesar (or the writers) decided to create comic version
of the most popular film at that time, The
Godfather. For this version, Caesar would play the main character, whom
they named “Grandpappy.”
***
Sid Caesar was born in Yonkers , New
York September
8, 1922 . As a young boy, waiting on tables in his parents’
restaurant, he learned to mimic accents. At the age of fourteen, Caesar, who
could play saxophone, went to work in the Catskills. Although he intended to
become a musician, even attending classes at Julliard and playing with the U.S.
Coast Guard band while in the service, his life would take another turn. After
the war, his first job was the opening act for comedian Joe E. Lewis, and the
rest is history.
After appearing on numerous television shows, in 1950 Sid
Caesar appeared on the first episode of The
Show of Shows and became an overnight sensation. A few months later, he
returned to television with his own
Caesar’s Hour, a sketch/variety show. In his show, films, television shows
and operas were turned into satires by his writing team. In the same way the
comedians of the old silent pictures had, Sid Caesar created an interwoven
style of comedy and pathos. Over the years, Caesar was nominated ten times for
an Emmy Award, winning three times. He has also received three Lifetime
Achievement Awards in the field of comedy.
***
 |
| Sid Caesar |
In Episode 18, Sid Caesar plays “grandpappy” flawlessly. He
plays the role with great seriousness and great comic subtlety. Meanwhile,
writing is definitely outrageous and comic.
The scene opens with Caesar and four other actors, who are
not named or credited. A large middle-aged man has come to request “grandpappy’s”
help. Dancer Jerry Trent plays a waiter whom Caesar mistakes as his grand
nephew. The way he acts with Trent
Rich Little plays “Grandpappy’s” real nephew who has come to
ask for his help in getting an acting role. He wants to play an African
American bandleader. Alice Ghostly plays “Grandpappy’s” wife and Julie Andrews,
wearing a lovely gown, plays his daughter, Michael, who has to keep telling her
father she is his daughter, not his son.
At one point, while describing his business as a mobster,
which includes “breaking legs,” Caesar begins outrageously singing about his job
to “My Favorite Things.”
When Michael (Julie) tries to convince her father that he
should stop being a mobster, he insists that he needs the 8 million dollars a
week that he makes.
“Eight million a week,” she asks.
“Your ma, she don’t work,” he replies.
In an unusual move, at the end of the show, Julie has a solo.
Dressed in a golden gown, with the crystal tree in the background, sending
beams of light around her, Julie sings “Baubles, Bangles and Beads. Unfortunately,
my version of the show does not include this song.
Although this show was not one of the most satisfying as a
whole, it does contain segments that are worth seeing.
Coming
next: Days
Leading Up to the Last Studio Visit
To learn more about Julie’s guests, please visit the
following links:
John Davidson: http://www.johndavidson.com
Sid Caesar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_Caesar
Visit the list of show topics with links back to this site:
All
photos here are for entertainment purposes only.
How wonderful to know that John Davidson is still acting! He was always a favorite of mine.
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