In reviewing this, I've taken into consideration that this was done live back in 1957, when the world and I were much younger, and live television was much more primitive. Still, it's fascinating to view it again and see it from a different perspective. And yet, one can't help thinking how much technology has improved since then!
The B&W print shown on PBS tonight was a rather murky one, so I'm basing all my comments on the perception that the soundtrack was wonderful but the video left much to be desired. Of course, 21 year-old Julie Andrews (rather matronly looking due to hairdo and make-up), has the right singing range to do justice to the songs and Jon Cypher keeps up with her in that department. Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly are fun as the two step-sisters, absurd as their characterizations are, and Ilka Chase makes an acceptable step-mother, though not quite as wicked as one could wish for.
The score is full of wonderful melodies in typical R&H style, particularly the lilting waltz amid such songs as "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?". Julie does a particularly nice rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" while Edie Adams has fun making the most of her role as the Fairy Godmother.
But on the debit side is the video quality and the obviously budgeted stage sets and uninspired costuming (especially for the ball). They look rather bland in B&W. Perhaps when originally telecast in color (a factor I don't recall at this point), the sets and costumes had more of a glow. But as Julie Andrews says, in interviews that come on at intervals, it was a wonder the whole thing was done live in one take.
This is a lot easier on the ears than the later versions and includes an amusing number between King and Queen (preparing for the banquet) that was cut from both of the later productions. And while the later versions had more glamor and color, this is the one to watch for complete enjoyment of the score and justice to the songs performed by Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast.
What an honor for Julie Andrews--to have a television musical written expressly for her by two of the master musicians of the 20th century, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Their music has all the charm one could ask for in a production of this kind.
The B&W print shown on PBS tonight was a rather murky one, so I'm basing all my comments on the perception that the soundtrack was wonderful but the video left much to be desired. Of course, 21 year-old Julie Andrews (rather matronly looking due to hairdo and make-up), has the right singing range to do justice to the songs and Jon Cypher keeps up with her in that department. Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly are fun as the two step-sisters, absurd as their characterizations are, and Ilka Chase makes an acceptable step-mother, though not quite as wicked as one could wish for.
The score is full of wonderful melodies in typical R&H style, particularly the lilting waltz amid such songs as "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?". Julie does a particularly nice rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" while Edie Adams has fun making the most of her role as the Fairy Godmother.
But on the debit side is the video quality and the obviously budgeted stage sets and uninspired costuming (especially for the ball). They look rather bland in B&W. Perhaps when originally telecast in color (a factor I don't recall at this point), the sets and costumes had more of a glow. But as Julie Andrews says, in interviews that come on at intervals, it was a wonder the whole thing was done live in one take.
This is a lot easier on the ears than the later versions and includes an amusing number between King and Queen (preparing for the banquet) that was cut from both of the later productions. And while the later versions had more glamor and color, this is the one to watch for complete enjoyment of the score and justice to the songs performed by Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast.
What an honor for Julie Andrews--to have a television musical written expressly for her by two of the master musicians of the 20th century, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Their music has all the charm one could ask for in a production of this kind.