Brass Diva: The Life and Legends of Ethel Merman (89 page)

To an extent, Ethel was eager to control the way she was produced publicly. Over her life, she dictated two autobiographies: the first, Who CouldAsk
for Anything More? in 1954 to Pete Martin, and the second, Merman: An Autobiography, six years before her death, in 1978, to George Eells. (A biography
by Bob Thomas appeared shortly after her death.) Once in a while, the scrapbooks reveal her desire to control the material. Three photos of her from the
younger days, for instance, have her stern handwriting on the back: "Do not
reproduce without my permission!"'

Hardly unique for wanting to guard her private life, Ethel was more unusual for considering it so fully distinct from her public one, especially at this
early point in her career. For in the late 1920s, the star system, even in Hollywood, was just getting off the ground. Ethel's attitude toward her celebrity
status was as atypical as it was ahead of its time. So was her awareness that
"Ethel Merman" was someone created out of a meshing of stage and film
roles, interviews, songs, public appearances, endorsements, reviews, and rumors. The scrapbooks, for instance, contain dozens of misreports about the
beaux she was reported to be dating, the fights she was supposed to have
started, the smart-assed remarks she was supposed to have made. Ethel sel dom corrected them, and the public record rarely bothered her. She knew
that Ethel Merman was not Ethel Agnes Zimmermann.

Today, most Americans of a certain age, and almost anyone who lives in
New York, remember Ethel Merman, as does anyone interested in theater
and musical comedy. For other people though, her star power-like that of
the Broadway musical theater more generally-has faded away, to the point
that this amazing singer is confused with Esther Williams or even Ethel
Mertz. Yet Ethel Merman is still with us more than we know. Every time an
awards ceremony plays "There's No Business Like Show Business," there is a
bit of her in the air; any show or study of Broadway musicals features her; and
anytime there is a reference to a vocalist belting out a song, Merman is there,
firmly on her throne. Decades after her death in 1984, stories about Ethel
Merman continue to run through the streets of Manhattan just as surely as
the Hudson hugs its West Side.

This discography was produced primarily by Al F. Koenig Jr. with additional assistance from James Reel. The author is grateful to both.

This list of Ethel Merman's audio recordings focuses on first releases of material commercially available to the public. The discography consequently disregards test pressings, acetates of radio and television broadcasts, a V-Disc, and radio discs used to promote films. Nor does it include decades' worth of reissues, including major ones such
as Decca's Ethel Merman: AMusicalAutobiography (1956). With the advent of the LP
in the 1950s, album releases, rather than nearly concurrent singles, take precedence here.

Items are given chronologically by date of recording, although several did not receive official release until many years later (notably the material on Merman in the
Movies and prewar songs included in retrospective compilation albums in the LP era).
In a few instances in which radio or television material was issued years after the broadcast, such as the radio duets with Bing Crosby, the most complete album has been included here, even if excerpts had already been issued. For original cast recordings and
compilations, only songs featuring Merman and artists singing with her are listed.

"Wipe That Frown Right off Your Face," from Ireno (1931). On Legends of the Musical Stage. Take Two TT 104.

"Satan's Li'l Lamb," "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues" (1932). RCA Victor VIC 24145.

"How Deep Is the Ocean?" "I'll Follow You" (1932). RCA Victor VIC 24146.

"I Surrender, Dear" (1932). On The Thirties' Girls. Totem 1026.

"Eadie Was a Lady" (1932). Brunswick 6456.

"You're a Builder Upper," "An Earful of Music" (1934). Brunswick 6995.

"I Get a Kick out of You," "You're the Top" (1934). Brunswick 7342.

"He Reminds Me of You," cut from We're Not Dressing (1934). On Personalities on
Parade, vol. 2. PP-2.

"An Earful of Music," "Mandy," "Ice Cream Fantasy," from Kid Millions (1934).
Classic International Filmusicals CIF 3007.

"The Lady in Red," "It's the Animal in Me" (1935). Brunswick 7491.

"Down in the Depths," "It's De-Lovely" (1936). Liberty Music Shop zo6.

"Anything Goes," from Anything Goes (1936). Caliban 6043.

"Ridin' High," "Red, Hot, and Blue" (1936). Liberty Music Shop 207.

"Satan's Holiday," from Follow the Leader (1930); "It's Just a New Spanish Custom,"
from We're Not Dressing (1934; with Leon Errol); "It's the Animal in Me," from
The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935); "I Get a Kick out of You," "You're the Top,"
"Shanghai-De-Ho," from Anything Goes (1936; with Bing Crosby); "First You
Have Me High, Then You Have Me Low," "Calabash Pipe," from Strike Me Pink
(1936; with Eddie Cantor); "Hot and Happy," "You Appeal to Me," "You Are the
Music to the Words in My Heart," from Happy Landing (1938); "With You on My
Mind," "Why Not String Along with Me?" from Straight, Place and Show (1938);
selections from Alexander's Ragtime Band. On Merman in the Movies: 1930-1938
(compiled from original soundtracks). Encore Records ST 101.

"With You on My Mind" from Straight, Place and Show (1938; unedited, fuller version than on Encore ST 1o1). Choice Cuts ST 50011.

"Why Not String Along with Me?" from Straight, Place and Show (1938; fuller version than on Encore ST 101). Radiola zMR 1718.

"With You on My Mind," "Why Not String Along with Me?" from Straight, Place
and Show (1938). Vertinge 2000.

"Say It with Music," "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," "Blue Skies," "Pack Up Your
Sins and Go to the Devil," "My Walking Stick," "Everybody Step," "Heat Wave,"
from Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938). Hollywood Soundstage 406.

"Marching along with Time" (1938). On Girls of the 30s- Pelican LP 122.

"A Lady Needs a Change," "I'll Pay the Check" (1939). Liberty Music Shop 256.

"This Is It," "Just a Little Bit More" (1939). Liberty Music Shop 257.

"It's All Yours" (1939; with Jimmy Durante), "Little Lamb" (unknown recording
date). On Forgotten Broadway, vol. 2. Forgotten Broadway T 102.

"Friendship" (1940; with Bert Lahr). On Stars over Broadway. Star-Tone ST 214.

"Let's Be Buddies" (with Joan Carroll), "Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please,"
"My Mother Would Love You," "I've Still Got My Health," from Panama Hattie
(1940). Decca A-2o3.

"I'm Throwing a Ball Tonight," "Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please," from
Panama Hattie (1940). On Cole Porter Live. JJA 19745•

"Marching thru Berlin," from Stage Door Canteen (1943). On Curtain Calls. loo/zr-i2.

"Marching thru Berlin," from Stage Door Canteen (1943; version with male quintet),
"Move It Over." RCA Victor 20-1521.

"Something for the Boys" (1944). On Cole Porter 1924-1944. JJA19732-

"Something for the Boys," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "He's a Right Guy," "I'm in Love
with a Soldier Boy," "There's a Happy Land in the Sky," "By the Mississinewa,"
"Finale," from Something for the Boys (1944; with Bill Johnson, Allen Jenkins,
Betty Bruce). AEI 1157.

"Doin' What Comes Natur'lly" "Moonshine Lullaby," "You Can't Get a Man with
a Gun," "I'm an Indian Too," "They Say It's Wonderful," "Anything You Can
Do," "I Got Lost in His Arms," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," from Annie Get
Your Gun (1946; with Leon Bibb, John Garth, Clyde Turner, Ray Middleton).
Decca DL 8oo1 (also issued as 78-rpm album A-468 and 45-rpm album 9-12).

"You're the Top," "I Get a Kick out of You," "Eadie Was a Lady," "Blow, Gabriel,
Blow," "I Got Rhythm," "It's De-Lovely," "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries" (1947).
On Ethel Merman: Songs She Has Made Famous. Decca DL 5053 (also issued as
78-rpm album A-68i).

Medley ("Love in Bloom," "I Got Rhythm," "Mexicali Rose," "I Get a Kick out of
You"), "Your All-Time Flop Parade" (two versions), "Dearie," "Anything You Can
Do" (1947-50; with Bing Crosby). On Bing Crosby and His Hollywood Guests.
Avid 626.

"The Hostess with the Mostes' on the Ball," "Washington Square Dance," "Can You
Use Any Money Today?" "Marrying for Love," "The Best Thing for You,"
"Something to Dance About," "You're Just in Love," from Call Me Madam (studio cast; 1950; with Dick Haymes). Decca DL 8035 (also issued as 78-rpm album
A-818 and 45-rpm album 9-166).

"A Little Girl from Little Rock," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Dearie," "I
Said My Pajamas," "It's So Nice to Have a Man around the House," "(If I Knew
You Were Comin') I'd've Baked a Cake," "Calico Sal," "She's Shimmyin' on the
Beach Again," "Hawaii," "Ukulele Lady," "The Lake Song," "Don't Believe It,"
"Once upon a Nickel," "Oldies," "Love Is the Reason," "The World Is Your Balloon," "Make the Man Love Me," "You Say the Nicest Things," "A Husband; A
Wife," "If You Catch a Little Cold." On Ethel Merman: The World Is Your Balloon
(195os, from Decca singles; with Ray Bolger, Jimmy Durante). MCA 1839.

"The Hostess with the Mostes' on the Ball," "Can You Use Any Money Today?" "The
International Rag," "You're Just in Love," "The Best Thing for You," "Finale:
You're Just in Love / Something to Dance About," from Call Me Madam (film
cast, 1953; with Donald O'Connor, George Sanders). Decca 5465 (also issued as
78-rpm album A-936 and 45-rpm album ED-5o8).

"Ethel Merman and Mary Martin Duet from the Ford 5oth Anniversary Television
Show" (1953). Decca DL 7027 (also issued as 78-rpm album DU-999 and 45-rpm
album ED-593).

"There's No Business Like Show Business," "When the Midnight Choo-Choo
Leaves for Alabam'," "Play a Simple Melody," "A Sailor's Not a Sailor," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," from There's No Business Like Show Business (1954; with Dan
Dailey, Mitzi Gaynor, Donald O'Connor, Johnnie Ray). Decca DL 8o91 (also issued as 78-rpm album DAU-957 and 45-rpm album ED-828).

"Anything Goes," "You Do Something to Me," "I Get a Kick out of You," "You're
theTop," "Just One ofThoseThings," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "Friendship," from
Anything Goes (TV cast, 1954; with Frank Sinatra). "Ridin' High," "Fresh as a Daisy," "Let's Be Buddies, "Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please," from
Panama Hattie (TV cast, 1954). Larynx 567.

"The Band Played On," "The Bowery," "On a Saturday Night," "While Strolling
through the Park One Day," "I've Got Rings on My Fingers," "In My Merry
Oldsmobile," "In the Good Old Summertime," "Waltz Me around Again,
Willie," "On a Bicycle Built forTwo," "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain,"
"Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet," "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I," "Listen to the Mockingbird," "You Tell Me Your Dream (I'll Tell You Mine)," "School Days," "Memories," "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Somebody Stole My Gal,"
"Smiles," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Take Back Your Gold," "Frankie and
Johnny," "On Moonlight Bay," "By the Light of the Silv'ry Moon," "Shine On,
Harvest Moon," "That Old Gang of Mine," "Sweet Adeline," "Oh, Johnny, Oh,
Johnny, Oh!" "Dear Little Boy of Mine," "Forty-five Minutes from Broadway,"
"Mary's a Grand Old Name," "Give My Regards to Broadway." On Memories: 40
Great Songs from the Gay '9os to the Roaring '2os (1955; with the Mitchell Boys'
Choir, Old Timers' Quartet). Decca DL 9028 (45 rpm released as 2276-2278).

"You're Just in Love," from Call Me Madam (1955; with Russell Nype, from Ed Sullivan's TV series Toast of the Town). On Original Performances from the Best of
Broadway Musicals. Columbia House P6S 5936.

"It's Good to Be Here," "Mutual Admiration Society," "Mr. Livingstone," "This Is
What I Call Love," "A New-Fangled Tango," "The Game of Love," "Happy Hunting," "I'm a Funny Dame," "Grand Finale," from Happy Hunting (1956; with Virginia Gibson, Leon Belasco, Fernando Lamas). RCA Victor EOC/LOC-io26.

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (1958). On Greetings from Broadway!
AEI 1176.

"Some People," "Small World," "Mr. Goldstone, I Love You," "You'll Never Get
Away from Me," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Together," "Rose's Turn,"
from Gypsy (1959; with Jack Klugman, Sandra Church). Columbia OL 5420/OS
2017. 45-rpm set A-542o.

"I Got Rhythm," "This Is It," "Do I Love You?" "Sam and Delilah," "Life Is Just a
Bowl of Cherries," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "You're an Old Smoothie," "Down in
the Depths on the 9oth Floor," "But Not for Me," "Friendship," "You're the Top."
On Merman ... Her Greatest! (1961). Reprise R/R9-6032.

"It's De-Lovely" (1962; with Bob Hope). On Cole Porter Live. JJA 19745.

"Just a Lady with a Song," "I Got Rhythm," "This Is It," "A Lot of Livin' to Do,"
medley ("Doin' What Comes Natur'lly," "The Hostess with the Mostes' on the
Ball," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries," "You're
the Top," "You're an Old Smoothie," "Let's Be Buddies," "Anything Goes," "It's
De-Lovely," "Small World," "Everything's Coming Up Roses"), "They Say It's
Wonderful," "Make It Another Old Fashioned, Please," "You Can't Get a Man
with a Gun,5' 11 Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "There's No Business Like Show Business."
On Merman in Vegas (1962). Reprise R9-6o62.