Night of 100 Stars II (1985) - Star of the month... Juliet Prowse

'Night of 100 Stars II' was a 1985 TV variety special which featured approx. 300 stars under the one theatre in a range of songs and sequences.

Many of my favourite stars featured in this special including Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Havilland, Lana Turner, Juliet Prowse, Van Johnson, Janet Leigh, Bernadette Peters, Raquel Welch, Lynda Carter, Leslie Uggams, Petula Clark, Ann-Margret, Anne Baxter, Marisa Berenson, Yul Brynner, Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Marge Champion, Dyan Cannon, Carol Channing, Joan Collins, Lena Horne, Rock Hudson, James Earl Jones, James Stewart, Danny Kaye, Linda Lavin, Donald O'Connor, Laurence Olivier, Sidney Poitier, Jane Powell, Vincent Price, Esther Williams & the Muppets.

I wasn't able to find footage to the entire 3 hour TV special, but was able to find a lot of it on YouTube. Highlights I was able to find are outlined below, with each of the stars featured, as well as the number assigned to them in parenthesis.

Opening: New York medley
* "This is a Star" - The Rockettes (#2) with a young Drew Barrymore (#3)
* "New York, New York (Instrumental)" - Leonard Bernstein (#4)
* "Arthur's Theme" - Peter Allen (#5)
* "Manhattan" - Ashford & Simpson (#6)
* "Every Street's a Boulevard (In Old New York)" - Placido Domingo (#8) (with Marisa Berenson (#9), Maureen Stapleton (#7), Deborah Raffin (#10))
* "This is my Home Town" - Robert Klein (#11)
* "New York, New York" - Lucie Arnaz (#12)
* "42nd Street" - Jerry Orbach (#13)
* "Take the 'A' Train" - Leslie Uggams (#14)
* "42nd Street (Reprise" - Robert Klein, Lucie Arnaz, Jerry Orbach & Leslie Uggams
* "Uptown" - Melba Moore (#15)
* "Downtown" - Petula Clark (#16)
* "How About You"- Carol Channing (#17) & Big Bird (#18)
* "Autumn in New York" - Dinah Shore (#19)
* "On Broadway" - Patti LaBelle (#20)
* "New York City Rhythm" - Jennifer Holliday (#21)
* "The Jet Song" - Joe Nameth (#22)

* "New York City Rhythm (Reprise)" - Jennifer Holliday, Patti LaBelle, Peter Allen & Joe Nameth

* "Theme from New York, New York" - Kermit the Frog (#24) with The Muppets (#23) (Fozzie Bear, The Count, Grover, Tully Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Janice, Sgt. Floyd Pepper, Dr. Teeth, Scooter, Rowlf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Swedish Chef, Gonzo, Uncle Travellin' Matt, Statler, Waldorf & Barkley)

* "New York State of Mind" - Ensemble

TV Stars in "TV is a Circus"
TV legend Lucille Ball (#25) delivers an introduction on television, followed by our three celebrity ring masters Hal Linden (#26), Michelle Lee (#27), Nancy Dussault (#28) singing "TV is a Circus", and introducing: Nell Carter (#29), Tony Danza (#30), Harry Anderson (#31), Gary Coleman (#32), Soleil Moon Frye (#33), James Noble (#34), Inga Swenson (#35), Dick Clark (#36), Charlotte Rae (#37), Michael J. Fox (#38), Meredith Baxter Birney (#39), Scott Baio (#40), Tempestt Bledsoe (#41), Lisa Bonet (#42), Keshia Knight Pulliam (#43), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (#44), Gavin MacLeod (#45), Marla Gibbs (#46), Bob Newhart (#47), Emmanuel Lewis (#48), Tyne Daly (#49), Heather Thomas (#50), Doug Barr (#51), Pierce Brosnan (#52), Stephanie Zimbalist (#53), Jameson Parker (#54), David Hasselhoff (#55), Lee Horsley (#56), Kate Jackson (#57), Daniel Hugh-Kelly (#58), William Shatner (#59), Rex Smith (#60), Perry King (#61), Pernell Roberts (#62), William Daniels (#63), Jack Palance (#64), Tony Franciosa (#65), Rene Enriquez (#66), Bruce Weitz (#67), Joe Spano (#68), Betty Thomas (#69), Jennifer O'Neill (#70), Linda Gray (#71), Lorenzo Lamas (#72), John Forsythe, Linda Evans (#73), Joan Collins (#74), Diahann Carroll (#75), Julie Harris (#76), Lisa Hartman (#77), Joan Van Ark (#78), Donna Mills (#79), Anne Baxter (#80),


The Red Shoes
Dick Van Dyke delivers an introduction and sings a song before we get the biggest star studded chorus of line of dancers the world has ever seen...
* Gregory Hines (#88), Hinton Battle (#89), Lee Roy Reams (#90), Victor Griffin (#91) & Gregg Burge (#92)
* Georgia Engel (#93) & Elaine Joyce (#94), Beth Howland (#95), Bonnie Franklin (#96), Marge Champion (#97), Nanette Fabray (#98), Christopher Walken (#99)
* Cynthia Gregory (#100) & Alexander Godunov (#101)
* Sandy Duncan (#102), Don Correia (#103), Jane Powell (#104) &Van Johnson (#105)
* Alfonso Ribeiro (#106)
* Gwen Verdon (#107), Charles 'Honi' Coles (#108), Juliet Prowse (#109), Maurice Hines (#110), Chita Riveira (#111), Donny Osmond (#112), Debbie Allen (#113), Donald O'Connor (#114) &  Ginger Rogers (#115)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g5jqV1w-j0

The Fearless Females of the Silent Screen
Bernadette Peters (#157) introduces the great silent screen legends:
* Billie Dove (#158)
* Laura LaPlante (#159)
* Leatrice Joy (#160)
* Lillian Gish (#161)


Salute to the Great Stars of Film
Bernadette Peters presents the following Great Stars of Film...
* Dustin Hoffman (#162)
* Lana Turner (#163)
* Robert Preston (#164)
* Sidney Poitier (#165)
* Olivia de Havilland (#166)
* Robert de Niro (#167)
* Danny Kaye (#168)
* Laurence Olivier (#169)

Fashion Show
An all-star 1980s fashion show with an introduction by Joan Collins and featuring on the runway... Shari Belafonte-Harper (#170), Gregory Harrison (#171), Ali MacGraw (#172), Tony Roberts (#173), Florence Henderson (#174), Treat Williams (#175), Valerie Bertinelli (#176), Lynn Swann (#177), Alan Flusser (#178), Cathy Lee Crosby (#179), Georg Stanford Brown (#180), Heather Locklear (#181), David Birney (#182), Lee Wright (#183), Brooke Shields (#184), Michael Ives (#185), Morgan Fairchild (#186), Teri Garr (#187), Dyan Cannon (#188), Ellen Burstyn (#189), Cristina Ferrare (#190), Colleen DewHurst (#191), Morgan Brittany (#192), Susan Lucci (#193), Jill St. John (#194), Cynthia Sikes (#195), Mary McFadden (#196), Janet Leigh (#197), Jacqueline Bisset (#198), Jaclyn Smith (#199), Deidre Hall (#200), Jane Seymour (#201), Caroline Herrera (#202), Joan Van Ark, Gloria Loring (#203), Donna Mills, Lisa Hartman, Lynda Carter (#204), Jacqueline de Ribes (#205), Diahann Carroll, Linda Evans, Claudia Cardinale (#206), Priscilla Presley (#207), Linda Grey, Raquel Welch (#208), Angie Dickinson (#209), Laura Branigan (#210), Michaele Vollbracht (#211), Tracy Mills (#212), Fabrice (#213), Geoffrey Beene (#214), Carole Little (#215), Halston (#216), Fernando Sanchez (#217), Bob Mackie (#218), Albert Capraro (#219), Oleg Cassini (#220), The Emanuels (#221), Ann-Margret (#222)

The 3 Musketeers (1948) - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

Lana Turner as the beautiful yet dangerous
Countess de Winter

'The Three Musketeers' is the 1948 Technicolor version of Alexandre Dumas' classic adventure novel. The film is directed by George Sidney and stars Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan, Vincent Price, Keenan Wynn, John Sutton, Gig Young, Robert Coote and Reginald Owen.

Angela Lansbury as Queen Anne

D'Artagnan (played by Kelly) travels to Paris to join King Louis XIII's (played by Morgan) musketeers. The Musketeers are Athos (played by Heflin), Porthos (played by Young) and Aramis (played by Coote).  Along the way, he meets and falls for the beautiful Constance Bonacieux (played by Allyson), a confidante of Queen Anne (played by Lansbury), and the seductive yet dangerous femme fatale, Countess de Winter (played by Turner).

Did you know...

• Louis Hayward had originally shown interest in playing the role of d'Artagnan
• Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was rumoured to star as d'Artagnan
• William Powell was considered to play one of the three musketeers
• This is Lana Turner's first film in colour
• In order to appear as Lady de Winter, Lana Turner turned down a role in an unfinished film called 'Bedeviled'
• Deborah Kerr turned down the role of Constance

Closing remarks

Hot from the success of 'The Pirate' (1948), MGM wasted no time in casting Gene Kelly in yet another swashbuckler. Although not a musical and no dancing, Kelly's strong dance training and athletic physique gives an agile yet graceful portrayal of d'Artagnan. An almost unrecognisable Frank Morgan does a great job as King Louis XIII, and Lana Turner plays the ultimate femme fatale.

While the film is best remembered for it's brilliant sword duel choreography, the photography and choreography of the duel along the water, reminds me very much of a duel from the Warner Bros. film 'Captain Blood' (1935) with Errol Flynn. Speaking of Flynn, I am surprised Warner Bros. had not already produced a version of 'The Three Musketeers' in the early 1940s, as I feel it would have been the perfect backdrop for yet another Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland film.

I have now seen the 1935, 1948, 1973 and 1993 film adaptations of 'The Three Musketeers', and of the four I would consider this to be the best and most entertaining version.

The 3 Musketeers (1948) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

Lana Turner as the beautiful yet dangerous
Countess de Winter

'The Three Musketeers' is the 1948 Technicolor version of Alexandre Dumas' classic adventure novel. The film is directed by George Sidney and stars Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan, Vincent Price, Keenan Wynn, John Sutton, Gig Young, Robert Coote and Reginald Owen.

Angela Lansbury as Queen Anne

D'Artagnan (played by Kelly) travels to Paris to join King Louis XIII's (played by Morgan) musketeers. The Musketeers are Athos (played by Heflin), Porthos (played by Young) and Aramis (played by Coote).  Along the way, he meets and falls for the beautiful Constance Bonacieux (played by Allyson), a confidante of Queen Anne (played by Lansbury), and the seductive yet dangerous femme fatale, Countess de Winter (played by Turner).

Did you know...

• Louis Hayward had originally shown interest in playing the role of d'Artagnan
• Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was rumoured to star as d'Artagnan
• William Powell was considered to play one of the three musketeers
• This is Lana Turner's first film in colour
• In order to appear as Lady de Winter, Lana Turner turned down a role in an unfinished film called 'Bedeviled'
• Deborah Kerr turned down the role of Constance

Closing remarks

Hot from the success of 'The Pirate' (1948), MGM wasted no time in casting Gene Kelly in yet another swashbuckler. Although not a musical and no dancing, Kelly's strong dance training and athletic physique gives an agile yet graceful portrayal of d'Artagnan. An almost unrecognisable Frank Morgan does a great job as King Louis XIII, and Lana Turner plays the ultimate femme fatale.

While the film is best remembered for it's brilliant sword duel choreography, the photography and choreography of the duel along the water, reminds me very much of a duel from the Warner Bros. film 'Captain Blood' (1935) with Errol Flynn. Speaking of Flynn, I am surprised Warner Bros. had not already produced a version of 'The Three Musketeers' in the early 1940s, as I feel it would have been the perfect backdrop for yet another Errol Flynn/Olivia de Havilland film.

I have now seen the 1935, 1948, 1973 and 1993 film adaptations of 'The Three Musketeers', and of the four I would consider this to be the best and most entertaining version.

DuBarry was a Lady (1943) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"...and if Lana Turner doesn't set your brain a whirl, then you don't love an Esquire girl..." - Red Skelton (as Louis Blore in 'DuBarry Was A Lady')

Lana Turner winks at the audience during her
brief walk on appearance as herself

DuBarry Was A Lady is a 1943 MGM musical starring Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Gene Kelly. It is based on the 1939 Broadway musical.  Directed by Roy Del Ruth and produced by Arthur Freed, the supporting cast features Virginia O'Brien, Rags Ragland, Zero Mostel, Donald Meek and Tommy Dorsey with his Orchestra. If you look closely you will see a young Buddy Rich as the drummer in Dorsey's Orchestra, and a very quick walk on appearance by Lana Turner.

Lucille Ball as Madame DuBarry during Louis'
dream sequence

Louis Blore (played by Skelton) and Alec Howe (played by Kelly) are both in love with vaudeville performer May Daly. Louis' friend Charlie (played by Ragland) suggests Louis slips Alec a Mickey Finn. In a moment of confusion, Louis unintentionally drinks the Mickey Finn, and dreams he is King Louis XV of France, with May as Madame DuBarry and Alec as The Black Arrow.

Although based on the Broadway show, the film version has quite a few differences. Firstly, very few of Cole Porter's songs from the original show are included. Many of the character names were changed, and some new characters were added. The dream sequence was delayed a lot longer in the film, with the first half of the film becoming a sort of a vaudeville revue.

Musical highlights

Lucille Ball first died her hair red for this film

The film version uses very little of the original songs from the show - unfortunately one casualty was "Well, Did You Evah?", which was later used in the MGM film 'High Society' (1956).

Three musical highlights in this film include "DuBarry Was A Lady", "I Love An Esquire Girl" and the Cole Porter standard "Friendship".

Lucille Ball's singing voice was dubbed by Martha Mears for most of her songs, but her real voice can be heard in "Friendship".

Song: "Friendship" - Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien

Song: "DuBarry Was A Lady" - Lucille Ball (dubbed by Martha Mears)

Did you know...

• Lucille Ball first dyed her natural brunette hair it's trademark red for this film

Closing remarks

Lucille Ball is one of her most glamourous roles is unfortunately not as great or funny as she usually is in this film. I don't think she was quite right for this role, as I find she doesn't have the command, assertiveness or the nastiness to play May or Madame DuBarry.

Overall the film is very slow and barely watchable. In my opinion this is one of MGMs weaker musicals... even with Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton. 

DuBarry Was A Lady (1943)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

"...and if Lana Turner doesn't set your brain a whirl, then you don't love an Esquire girl..."

Lana Turner winks at the audience during her
brief walk on appearance as herself

DuBarry Was A Lady is a 1943 MGM musical starring Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Gene Kelly. It is based on the 1939 Broadway musical.  Directed by Roy Del Ruth and produced by Arthur Freed, the supporting cast features Virginia O'Brien, Rags Ragland, Zero Mostel, Donald Meek and Tommy Dorsey with his Orchestra. If you look closely you will see a young Buddy Rich as the drummer in Dorsey's Orchestra, and a very quick walk on appearance by Lana Turner.

Lucille Ball as Madame DuBarry during Louis'
dream sequence

Louis Blore (played by Skelton) and Alec Howe (played by Kelly) are both in love with vaudeville performer May Daly. Louis' friend Charlie (played by Ragland) suggests Louis slips Alec a Mickey Finn. In a moment of confusion, Louis unintentionally drinks the Mickey Finn, and dreams he is King Louis XV of France, with May as Madame DuBarry and Alec as The Black Arrow.






Although based on the Broadway show, the film version has quite a few differences. Firstly, very few of Cole Porter's songs from the original show are included. Many of the character names were changed, and some new characters were added. The dream sequence was delayed a lot longer in the film, with the first half of the film becoming a sort of a vaudeville revue.

Musical highlights

Lucille Ball first died her hair red for this film

The film version uses very little of the original songs from the show - unfortunately one casualty was "Well, Did You Evah?", which was later used in the MGM film 'High Society' (1956).


Three musical highlights in this film include "DuBarry Was A Lady", "I Love An Esquire Girl" and the Cole Porter standard "Friendship".


Lucille Ball's singing voice was dubbed by Martha Mears for most of her songs, but her real voice can be heard in "Friendship".


Song: "Friendship" - Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien

Song: "DuBarry Was A Lady" - Lucille Ball (dubbed by Martha Mears)

Did you know...

• Lucille Ball first dyed her natural brunette hair it's trademark red for this film

Closing remarks

Lucille Ball is one of her most glamourous roles is unfortunately not as great or funny as she usually is in this film. I don't think she was quite right for this role, as I find she doesn't have the command, assertiveness or the nastiness to play May or Madame DuBarry.


Overall the film is very slow and barely watchable. In my opinion this is one of MGMs weaker musicals... even with Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton.