Ann Blyth's solo on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW

 

Ann appeared on Ed Sullivan's popular television variety show on February 14, 1954, to not only publicize her recent film The Student Prince (1954), co-starring with Mario Lanza, but to showcase individually her magnificent singing talent.  Here is an excerpt from my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:

Ann got a chance to sing “Deep in My Heart” without Mario, in an exquisite solo on live television a few months before the film’s release.  Along with an array of other MGM stars, she appeared on Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the Town, February 14, 1954.  The episode was a salute to the thirtieth anniversary of MGM.  Sullivan and studio head Dore Schary, both in tuxedos, discussed MGM’s past history of films, showed clips of current movies, and showcased some splendid live performances that were highlights of MGM’s recent films, including a spirited rendition of “Sobbin’ Women” from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Howard Keel and the actors who played his brothers in the film.  Ann and Edmund Purdom performed a brief scene from The Student Prince, where they slip away from the ball and plan to run away together, but must part, possibly forever, when the prince is called away.  Then Ann, dressed in her serving Mädchen dirndl sings “Deep in My Heart,” though without the blonde wig.  Her dark hair is cut in a short pageboy bob style of the day.  Her rendition is splendid, delivered with astonishing power and loveliness, with the hat tip of the high note at the end, we may think, “Mario who?”

 And here's that clip from the show, currently found on YouTube:

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Looking for a gift a classic film fan?Have a look at my book -- Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.

eBook edition (Amazon)

print edition available at Amazon and also my Etsy shop.

audiobook edition

Also available in eBook at:

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For more on my other books and plays, please see my website: JacquelineTLynch.com  

"Lynch’s book is organized and well-written – and has plenty of amusing observations – but when it comes to describing Blyth’s movies, Lynch’s writing sparkles." - Ruth Kerr, Silver Screenings

"Jacqueline T. Lynch creates a poignant and thoroughly-researched mosaic of memories of a fine, upstanding human being who also happens to be a legendary entertainer." - Deborah Thomas, Java's Journey

"One of the great strengths of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is that Lynch not only gives an excellent overview of Blyth's career -- she offers detailed analyses of each of Blyth's roles -- but she puts them in the context of the larger issues of the day."- Amanda Garrett, Old Hollywood Films

"Jacqueline's book will hopefully cause many more people to take a look at this multitalented woman whose career encompassed just about every possible aspect of 20th Century entertainment." - Laura Grieve, Laura's Miscellaneous Musings''

"Jacqueline T. Lynch’s Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is an extremely well researched undertaking that is a must for all Blyth fans." - Annette Bochenek, Hometowns to Hollywood

Deep in My Heart - Ann Blyth on CD

Ann Blyth demonstrated an exquisite singing voice in her films, radio and musical stage appearances and concerts, but fans have one great regret --  that her discography is so limited.  With someone so accomplished a vocalist, we might naturally expect a number of recordings, but unfortunately, we are left with only a few singles and cast albums of movie soundtracks.  

However, there was a compilation CD produced by Flare Records, a company in London, England, in 2007, Deep in My Heart - The Golden Voice of Ann Blyth, which is a very nice collection of some of Ann's hits from her four M-G-M musicals.

It is a pleasure to focus in on her musical moments from The Great Caruso (1951), Rose Marie (1954), The Student Prince (1954) and Kismet (1955).  Her duets with Mario Lanza, Howard Keel, Fernando Lamas, and Vic Damone are included.  A special added feature is the inclusion of the song "Rhymes Have I," sung with Howard Keel that was cut out of Kismet.  It's an energetic, soaring performance from both, and a real shame that it was left out of the movie.

Flare Records, established in 1995, is dedicated to re-issuing pop music from the past.  Have a look here for their catalogue. 

The Great Caruso on TCM!

Ann Blyth plays the wife and number one fan of The Great Caruso (1951), which you can see tomorrow, Thursday the 8th, on Turner Classic Movies at 3:45 p.m. ET.  This lavish musical also stars Mario Lanza as Caruso, and features the wonderful Dorothy Kirsten and beautiful selections from several operas.  For more on The Great Caruso, see this blog post at my Another Old Movie Blog, or my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.

Ann Stars in The Student Prince tonight on TCM

Ann Blyth starred in the musical The Student Prince (1954) with Edmund Purdom, who famously, or infamously, lip-synched to Mario Lanza's signing voice.  Lanza was originally paired with Ann, but fights with the studio left him out of the picture, except for his previously recorded vocal track.  The lavish movie was filmed in color, despite the black and white press photo above of Ann and Purdom.  It can be seen tonight on Turner Classic Movies at 11:15 p.m. ET.

For more on the movie, and its background controversy, have a look at this post on my Another Old Movie Blog, or my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. in eBook, paperback, or audiobook.

The Student Prince - today on TCM

The Student Prince (1954) was meant to reunite Ann Blyth on screen with Mario Lanza, but only Lanza's voice was used for the musical soundtrack; his role was played by Edmund Purdom.  From my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:

Ralph Moratz, recounts his experience as a movie extra playing one of the students in The Student Prince:


I was in constant awe working so closely with this charming, beautiful, friendly actress.  She treated all of us as equals, joking, talking and enjoying our company as we enjoyed hers.  To this day I can recall the good feelings on that set just because Ann Blyth made it that way.


What a joyous delightful welcome for me into the fairytale land of the 1950s major studios.

Like everyone on the set, I fell in love with that talented young lady, Ann Blyth and still cherish the image of her coming out of the double doors leading to the beer garden with steins swinging in the air.  Can’t remember how many takes for that scene alone but her stamina was amazing.

The Student Prince airs on Turner Classic Movies today at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.  I hope you can see it.
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The audio book for Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. is now for sale on Audible.com, and on Amazon and iTunes.

Also in paperback and eBook from Amazon.

Press Book - The Great Caruso

This press book from The Great Caruso encapsulates the great push for publicity by the studio.  MGM enjoyed huge financial success with this movie.  Something as simplistic as this press book could have had a lot to do with that.

The enormous amount of planning, work, artistry, and money that goes into making a movie is all for nothing if nobody comes to see it.  The publicity department, arguably, could be the most important ingredient in the mix. 

The press book is a smorgasbord of everything a theater owner, a movie distributor, or a city newspaper could want for info on the film.  There are light features about how the movie was filmed, fun facts about the stars, Mario Lanza and Ann Blyth. 

We have sample ad layouts to cut and paste, or shoot with a half-tone camera, to set up in the newspaper. 

We have examples of lobby cards and posters available for a theater manager to order.

Here is a selection of publicity photos of the cast, and sample “situations” in which they could be used in local-color publicity – for instance, noting pearls such as those worn by Ann Blyth in the movie could be purchased at a local jewelry store (who will be prevailed upon to buy an ad in the paper, of course); Mario Lanza sits at a piano, just like the kind of Steinway you can purchase yourself.  From fountain pens to pullover sweaters, there isn’t much that this movie won’t sell—but first you must sell the movie.

The publicity department was sufficiently successful with this movie, as it grossed the most profits of any MGM film in 1951—and played at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the gold standard of the day for a successful film.

We discussed The Great Caruso here on my Another Old Movie Blog.

We discussed the press book for Rose Marie here. 

The Student Prince - 1954...lobby card

This lobby card is a re-issue from 1962 for The Student Prince (1954).  Richard Anderson is just to Edmund Purdom's right.  Purdom replaced Mario Lanza in the film, but lip-synched to Mr. Lanza's singing voice.   Ann, the biergarten
Mädchen, encourages them to guzzle several liters of beer in what may be the first binge-drinking musical.

For more on the filming of The Student Prince, see Chapter 31 of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.