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)

50 Years of MGM - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

'That's Entertainment: 50 Years of MGM' is a television special from 1974, coinciding with the premiere of the feature film 'That's Entertainment' (1974).

Hosted by George Hamilton, the special features footage from the 'That's Entertainment' premiere as well as interviews and appearances from many of MGM finest stars including:

• June Allyson
• Adele Astaire
• Fred Astaire
• George Burns
• Marge Champion
• Cyd Charisse
• Jackie Cooper
• Dan Dailey Jr
• Vic Damone
• Sammy David Jr.
• Tom Drake
• Jimmy Durante
• Buddy Ebsen
• Nanette Fabray
• Glenn Ford
• Eva Gabor
• Zsa Zsa Gabor
• Ava Garnder
• Jack Haley
• Charlton Heston
• Howard Keel
• Gene Kelly
• Phyllis Kirk
• Janet Leigh
• Myrna Loy
• Shirley MacLaine
• Marjorie Main
• Tony Martin
• Roddy McDowell
• Liza Minnelli
• Dennis Morgan
• The Nicholas Bros.
• Merle Oberon
• Margaret O'Brien
• Virginia O'Brien
• Donald O'Connor
• Donna Reed
• Debbie Reynolds
• Ginger Rogers
• Ann Rutherford
• Alexis Smith
• Craig Stevens
• James Stewart
• Gloria Swanson
• Russ Tamblyn
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Audrey Totter
• Johnny Weissmuller
• Keenan Wynn
• and the Great Great Grandson of Lassie

50 Years of MGM - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'That's Entertainment: 50 Years of MGM' is a television special from 1974, coinciding with the premiere of the feature film 'That's Entertainment' (1974).

Hosted by George Hamilton, the special features footage from the 'That's Entertainment' premiere as well as interviews and appearances from many of MGM finest stars including:

• June Allyson
• Adele Astaire
• Fred Astaire
• George Burns
• Marge Champion
• Cyd Charisse
• Jackie Cooper
• Dan Dailey Jr
• Vic Damone
• Sammy David Jr.
• Tom Drake
• Jimmy Durante
• Buddy Ebsen
• Nanette Fabray
• Glenn Ford
• Eva Gabor
• Zsa Zsa Gabor
• Ava Garnder
• Jack Haley
• Charlton Heston
• Howard Keel
• Gene Kelly
• Phyllis Kirk
• Janet Leigh
• Myrna Loy
• Shirley MacLaine
• Marjorie Main
• Tony Martin
• Roddy McDowell
• Liza Minnelli
• Dennis Morgan
• The Nicholas Bros.
• Merle Oberon
• Margaret O'Brien
• Virginia O'Brien
• Donald O'Connor
• Donna Reed
• Debbie Reynolds
• Ginger Rogers
• Ann Rutherford
• Alexis Smith
• Craig Stevens
• James Stewart
• Gloria Swanson
• Russ Tamblyn
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Audrey Totter
• Johnny Weissmuller
• Keenan Wynn
• and the Great Great Grandson of Lassie

Words & Music (1948) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'Words and Music' is a 1948 MGM musical directed by Norman Taurog and starring Tom Drake as  Richard Rodgers and Mickey Rooney as Lorenz Hart with Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Ann Sothern, Perry Como and Marshall Thompson.

June Allyson sings 'Thou Swell' with the Blackburn twins

Produced by Arthur Freed and loosely based on the lives and music of Rodgers and Hart, 'Words and Music' features guest appearances from Judy Garland, June Allyson, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Vera-Ellen and Mel Tormé.

The film tells the story of Rodgers & Hart from their first meeting through a mutual friend Herb (played by Thompson), to the death of Lorenz Hart. Intertwined are the woman they loved, including Peggy Lorgan McNeil (played by Garrett), Joyce Harmon (played by Sothern) and Dorothy Feiner (played by Leigh).

Watch the trailer:

Musical program

The film's musical program features 17 Rodgers & Hart's most memorable songs, including:

• "Main Titles: Lover" - MGM Chorus
• "Manhattan" - Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake & Marshall Thompson
• "Way Out West" - Betty Garrett
• "There's a Small Hotel" - Betty Garrett
• "Mountain Greenery" - Perry Como & Cyd Charisse
• "Where's That Rainbow?" - Ann Sothern
• "On Your Toes" - Cyd Charisse & Dee Turnell
• "This Can't Be Love" - danced by Cyd Charisse & Dee Turnell
• "Thou Swell" - June Allyson with Ramon Blackburn & Royce Blackburn
• "The Blue Room" - Perry Como (with Cyd Charisse)
• "With A Song in my Heart" - Tom Drake
• "Where or When" - Lena Horne
• "The Lady is A Tramp" - Lena Horne
• "I Wish I Were In Love Again" - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney
• "Blue Moon" - Mel Tormé
• "Spring Is Here" - Mickey Rooney
• "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" - Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse
• "With a Song In My Heart" (Reprise) - Perry Como

Song: "I Wish I Were In Love Again" - Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney

Song: "Johnny One Note" - Judy Garland

Song: "Manhattan" - Mickey Rooney

Song: "Thou Swell" - June Allyson

Song: "The Lady Is A Tramp" - Lena Horne

Song: "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" - Gene Kelly & Vera-Ellen

Song: "Mountain Greenery" - Perry Como & Cyd Charisse

Deleted songs

The following songs were either deleted or shortened for the final release of the film:

• Gene Kelly & Vera-Ellen singing "Falling in Love With Love"
• The complete version of Betty Garrett singing "Way Out West (On West End Avenue)" - the footage of the extended version is lost
• Betty Garrett singing "My Funny Valentine"
• Perry Como singing the song "Lover" - footage from this song are featured in the film's trailer and on the 2007 Warner Bros. DVD
• Perry Como singing "Your Nearer" - footage from this song is featured on the 2007 Warner Bros. DVD
• Perry Como singing "My Heart Stood Still"
• Perry Como singing "I Feel at Home With You"
• An extended version of "Manhattan", sung by Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake & Marshall Thompson
• An extended version of "On Your Toes/The Girl Friend/ This Can't Be Love"

Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney in their last musical
number together "I Wish I Were In Love Again"

Did you know...

• This was the last time Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney appeared in a film together
• The film was very expensive to make, and barely recouped it's production cost, despite it being a successful film
• Richard Rodgers reportedly disliked everything about this film, except for the casting of Janet Leigh as his wife
• Judy Garland was paid $100,000 for this film (the equivalent of what she owed MGM for medical calls) - by the end of the film, she had paid back her studio debt, but made nothing
• Although Judy Garland's two songs are sung at the same party, both songs were filmed four months apart - look closely and you'll notice Judy's  longer hair and slight weight gain in "Johnny One-Note"
• Lena Horne's scene was specially filmed in a way to enable the scene to be cut from some Southern states without impacting the storyline
• This was the second of producer Arthur Freed's series of Broadway composer biography films

Goofs & flubs...

• The song "Mountain Greenery" did not feature in the 1928 production of "Garrick Gaieties" as indicated in the film

Closing remarks

Gene Kelly & Vera-Ellen in 'Slaughter on 10th Ave'

'Words and Music' is yet another composer biography film of the 1940s. Although it's not the best one, it is still entertaining and jam-packed with enough MGM stars to excite any movie goer. 

The film contains many inaccuracies and should be viewed as a fictional story loosely based on the lives of Rodgers & Hart.  For example, due to strict Hollywood censorship regulations, the film is unable to present Lorenz Hart's homosexuality, and instead portray's Hart as a bashful and secure bachelor unable to find a wife.

The ending is a disappointment - it virtually cuts off without giving sufficient closure to the story and illness of Lorenz Hart.

It's a Big Country (1951) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'It's a Big Country' is a  1951 anthology film, comprised of eight individual segments celebrating the beauty and diversity of America.

Directed by Clarence Brown, Don Hartman, John Sturges, Richard Thorpe, Charles Vidor, Don Weis and William A. Wellman, the film is narrated by Louis Calhern.

The actors (referred to as citizens) include Leon Ames, Ethel Barrymore, Keefe  Brasselle, Gary Cooper, Nancy Davis, Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Janet Leigh, Sharon MacManus, Marjorie Main, Fredric March, George Murphy, William Powell, S.Z. Sakall, Lewis Stone, James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn.

I have structured this blog post into segments, according to how the film is structured, discussing each segment in turn.

Segment #1 - 

Whilst on a train to New York, New York, Mr. Stacey (played by Whitmore) meets a Professor (played by Powell), and tells him he loves America. The Professor asks "Which America?", and goes on to teach Mr. Stacey about the diversity of America. Mr. Stacey learns America is politically, religiously, and culturally diverse, and always evolving. The segment ends as Mr. Stacey walks into the dining cart, and meets an elderly woman (played by Elisabeth Risdon), who says she loves America. Mr. Stacey asks her "Which America?". Although the segment ends there, it is obvious Mr. Stacey will use this an opportunity to pass on the knowledge which he has just acquired.  This opening segment sets the scene for what is to come in subsequent segments.

Segment #2

Set in Boston, the city of great American tradition and Paul Revere. Mrs. Brian Patrick Riordan (played by Barrymore) travels to her local newspaper to meet with the Managing Editor, Mr. Callaghan (played by Murphy) to report she was not captured in the recent census. At 74 years of age, Mrs. Riordan is concerned she may not be alive for the next census in ten years time.  With the help of reporter Michael Fisher (played by Wynn), Mrs. Riordan is visited by a government official for inclusion in the census.

This segment focuses on the Irish American community of America, and also demonstrates the importance of participating in the census.

Ethel Barrymore delivers one of her finest performances in her brief appearance in this film.

Segment #3

We are then taken through a who's who of successful African Americans, athletes and entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Eddie Anderson and Ethel Waters.

Gene Kelly as Icarus Xenophon

This segment is very different to the others, in that there is no storyline or plot. It is simply a patriotic narration with images of successful African Americans. Considering the degree of African-American segregation in the early 1950's, I would be very interested to have been a fly on the wall during initial screenings of this film to witness the audience reaction, particularly in the Southern states.

Segment #4

In the next segment we meet Hungarian American Stefan Szabo (played by Sakall) and his six daughters. Stefan has a prejudice against Greeks, which becomes an issue for his eldest daughter Rosa (played by Leigh), who has fallen in love with Greek American Icarus Xenophon (played by Kelly).

Janet Leigh as Rosa Szabo

This segment serves as a parable for immigrants, that they should leave any ancient grudges behind when they arrive in America. A message still relevant in today's society.

Everyone's favourite Hungarian American S.Z. Sakall is perfectly cast as Stefan Szabo. Even in a dramatic role, Sakall makes as laugh.

Segment #5

 Mrs. Wrenley (played by Marjorie Main), is visited by
Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Keefe Brasselle)

a tour of the armed forces,  soldiers, sailors, marines and the airforce

Sgt. Maxie Klein (played by Brasselle) visits Mrs. Wrenley (played by Main), the  mother of his war buddy Jack, who was killed in action.

It is interesting seeing Marjorie Main in a serious dramatic role.

Segment #6

We travel deep in the heart of Texas, where we meet a cowboy named Texas (played by Cooper). In this very short segment, Texas talks about the state of Texas, and myth busts rumours and perceptions of the other 47 states. 

When watching this film, it's important to remember in 1951 there were only 48 states in the USA. In 1959, Alaska became the 49th state.

Segment #7

Rev. Adam Burch (played by Johnson) takes on a new congragation, and receives constructive feedback by a Church sexton (played by Stone). As a result of taking on this feedback, the Reverend becomes a greater pasteur.

Segment #8

Joseph Esposito (played by Bobby Hyatt) is told by his teacher, Miss Coleman (played by Davis) that he needs glasses. His strict Italian American father, Joe Esposito (played by March) refuses to believe his son needs glasses and opposes Miss Coleman's recommendation.

Closing remarks

Although the content of the eight segments are a little dated, not surprisingly the messages contained within each segment are still relevant in today's society of discrimination and segregation.

The only criticism I have on this film is the sugar coated endings to each segment are often unrealistic and difficult to believe, however I appreciate this is the intention of the filmmakers to convey the messages.

Scaramouche (1952)

Star Birthday... Janet Leigh

Star Birthday... Janet Leigh

Janet Leigh was born on 6 July 1927, and is the mother of actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

Janet's love for film began during her childhood. Her immigrant parents would take her to the movies and leave her there all day while they worked, as it was cheaper than a babysitter.  In 1945 she was discovered by actress Norma Shearer, who helped secure her a contract with MGM.

Janet enjoyed a prolific career saw her co-star opposite almost every many popular leading man including Van Johnson, Van Heflin, Anthony Perkins, James Stewart, Robert Ryan, Tom Drake, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Errol Flynn, Walter Pidgeon and Tony Curtis, who she would later marry.

Janet Leigh is most remembered for playing the ill-fated Marion Crane, murdered in the shower in Alfred Hitchcock's film, 'Psycho' (1960).

Janet Leigh died on 3 October 2004 after suffering a heart attack.

Recommended viewing

The famous image of Janet Leigh screaming in 'Psycho'

• The Romance of Rosy Ridge (1947)
• Words and Music (1948)
• Little Women (1949)
• That Forsyte Woman (1949)
• Angels in the Outfield (1951)
• Scaramouche (1952)
• The Naked Spur (1953)
• Confidentially Connie (1953)
• Touch of Evil (1958)
• Psycho (1961)
• Bye, Bye Birdie (1963)
• The Fog (1980)
• Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1996)

Scaramouche (1952)

Scaramouche is a 1952 romance adventure film directed by George Sidney and starring Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker, Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer, Richard Anderson, Nina Foch, Lewis Stone and John Litel.

The swashbuckler is based on the historical novel by Rafael Sabatini. The 8 minute sword-duel scene took 8 weeks of preparation, features 87 fencing passes and is the longest sword fight in film history.


Watch the trailer:

The plot

Janet Leigh as Aline

In France, just before the French Revolution, Queen Marie Antoinette (played by Foch) asks her cousin, Noel, the Marquis de Maynes to find and stop dangerous rebel known as Marcus Brutus. Meanwhile Andre Moreau (played by Granger), the bastard son of a French nobleman, prevents his beloved Lenore (played by Parker) from marrying another man, and agrees to marry her.

Andre soon meets Aline de Gavrillac de Bourbon (played by Leigh), and falls in love with her, but sadly determines she is his long-lost half sister. Aline does not know this.

Marquis tracks down Marcus Brutus, who happens to be Andre's best friend, Philippe de Valmorin (played by Anderson). After Philippe is killed, Andre vows to get revenge upon the villainous Marquis.

Stewart Granger disguised as Scaramouche holds
Eleanor Parker as Lenore

Shortly after Andre hides out in a commedia dell'arte performance troupe, where he disguises himself as the character Scaramouche.

Did you know...

• Lewis Stone starred as the Marquis de Maynes in the 1923 film version of 'Scaramouche' 
• The film was initially intended to be a MGM musical starring Gene Kelly as Andre Moreau with Ava Gardner as Lenore and Elizabeth Taylor as Aline
• Other actors considered for the role of Andre Moreau include Fernando Lamas and Ricardo Montalban
• Nina Foch wears the same dress Norma Shearer wore in the 1938 film Marie Antoinette
• During filming, Mel Ferrer was almost crushed by a falling chandalier
• By the time filming had finished Stewart Granger had a damaged shoulder, a wrenched knee and a injured back

Closing remarks

'Scaramouche' is a fantastic film. It is a film with universal appeal which entertains from start to finish. The film  jumps directly into the narrative, and features swashbuckling action scenes and random bursts of comedy.