Search - Clay / Pahl, Mel Warnick, Charles Sanford, Adventures of Marco Polo Pit Orchestra :: The Adventures of Marco Polo (Original 1956 Television Cast)

A Minor Classic on CD for the First Time . . .

J. T Waldmann | Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Perf | 07/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the golden age of television, CBS was in the habit of broadcasting full-scale musicals. 1958 saw Cole Porter's ALADDIN (an orginal for TV starring Cyril Ritchard, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Sal Mineo in the title role) and Rosiland Russell repeating her Broadway triumph in WONDERFUL TOWN. In 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote CINDERELLA for Julie Andrews. And in 1956 we had THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO, written for Alfred Drake and Doretta Morrow.Drake and Morrow had just ". . . returned to America after more than a year in London, rousing British audiences to wild applause for their notable performances in KISMET." MGM's 1955 film version of the musical featured Howard Keel and Ann Blyth in the roles Drake and Morrow originated on Broadway two years earlier, which may be one of the reasons CBS sought an original vehicle for their talents. Just as Robert Wright and George Forrest adapted the music of Alexander Borodin for KISMET, Clay Warnick and Mel Pahl turned to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov for POLO. And a fine job they did! The book (by William Friedberg and Neil Simon) was merely a pretext for the popular couple to wander through some sumptuous sets and display their ample vocal abilities to the gorgeous melodies with clever lyrics by Edward Eager. The musical numbers are strung together with a narration by Mr. Drake in his role as the world traveler, so you really don't need a plot analysis. In Miss Dorrow's opening song, she sends Marco Polo off to see the world, knowing he will become involved with other women. She sings, "When you look into their eyes, you'll be seeing me." And indeed he does. Whatever the locale, the women he meets are all played by Doretta Morrow.If MARCO POLO reminds you of KISMET, well . . . so what! Everything about it is a delight, although "The Tartar Song" could have used a few more Tartars in the chorus. The sound is excellent mono, and DRG has done a magnificent job on the remastering and packaging. Incidentally, the whole thing was produced and directed by Max Liebman. Oh, if only the Golden Age of TV would return!"

A lovely reunion for KISMET's original Hajj and Marsinah...

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 04/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO, a 1956 made-for-television musical, features a fantastic score by Edward Eager, Clay Warnick and Mel Pahl, and reunited the original leads of Broadway's KISMET - Alfred Drake and Doretta Morrow.



The music was based around existing Rimsky-Korsakov themes (the same idea adopted from KISMET), and the entire score is quite lovely, up to Broadway standard in every respect. Alfred Drake (at the zenith of his career) is great in the title role with Doretta Morrow as his love interest. Morrow gets the achingly-poignant "You'll Be Seeing Me" and Drake is at his best with "Worlds".



This was one in a positive cavalcade of lavish TV musicals, mostly produced by Max Leibman, which also included Betty Hutton in SATINS AND SPURS (available from DRG), and Ann Sothern in LADY IN THE DARK (available from AEI).



Congratulations to DRG for releasing this much sought-after recording on CD for the very first time, in glorious monoaural."

Another gem

Binnielula | Southeast MO USA | 03/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of a number of CDs I've been looking for w/o much hope. I only checked periodically because the 1956 television musical was not that well known. The music, based on work of Rimsky-Korsakov, is wonderful, the lyrics witty, and Alfred Drake absolutely superb. I was idly searching titles a few weeks ago and was astounded to find the CD. It is a real treasure for anyone who likes musical theater."