Paying tribute to the original Mama Rose...

I've appreciated the comments on my "Who Was best in Gypsy?" poll with several readers bringing up the great Ethel Merman as their favorite even though, sadly, we have no video. We just have that terrific soundtrack which, in my opinion, is the best of them all. Her "Rose's Turn" is just ferocious.

By the way, I was reading in The Hollywood Reporter earlier today a column by Robert Osborne who wrote in discussing Patti LuPone's Tony chances: Interesting about the "Gypsy" history with Tony. The role of Mama Rose won a 1975 best actress Tony for Angela Lansbury in the first revival of the show; it also won Tyne Daly a 1990 Tony for her redo. However, there was no Tony for Ethel Merman, the woman who created the role, despite the fact that it is considered the role and the performance of her legendary legit career. The Merm lost the prize that year (1960) to Mary Martin in "The Sound of Music."

Anyway, ;posted above is a clip from the 1972 Tony Awards where Merman did a three-song medley that ends with "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and I'm not sure how old she is here but it is amazing how powerful her voice remained. She still had her full range. If anyone has a clip of Merman singing "Rose's Turn" please share!

Be sure to see "Out In Hollywood POLL: Who is best in "Gypsy" ???" and cast your vote in the comments section!