The plot of 'Grab Me A Gondola' was inspired by publicity hunting actress Diana Dors appearing in a mink bikini at the Venice Film Festival and being thrown into a canal. The cameras that just happened to be there caught the scene with the Italian backdrop before she entered the water - it was one of the greatest publicity shots ever of the 1950s. Grab Me A Gondola was billed as a new musical comedy and opened in late 1956. It ran for 687 performances at the Lyric theatre in London proving far more successful than many of the new crop of Broadway transfers. The star of the show was Joan Heal, a comic actress with a belting voice who was a recognised star of revue. Her co-star was Denis Quilley, a young veteran of musicals but not yet a star; this brought him that status. Grab Me A Gondola was recorded in newly developed stereo but was only released in mono on vinyl at the time. We hear now for the first time the show in its original glorious stereo.

Our two other show selections are American imports. As the original Broadway cast recordings were available the British leads only recorded highlights of the show's hit songs. Pal Joey opened in 1954 following a successful Broadway revival of the show that had originally been seen in 1940. This was the first London production. Carol Bruce, who had toured with the show when it closed on Broadway, played the knowing Vera. The London production ran 245 performances and the four tracks we hear were issued on two 78s.

The Broadway hit 'Wonderful Town' opened in 1955 and ran for 207 performances with Pat Kirkwood and Shani Wallis as the two sisters Ruth and Eileen. The leads recorded the main songs from the show included here with the addition of two bonus pop recordings by Shani Wallis, the future 'Nancy' in the Oscar-winning film of 'Oliver!'

Additional Details

Label: Sepia Records

Genre: Musical/Broadway

Release Date: 09/04/07

UPC: 5055122111016