HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY MARTIN!

Mary Martin (1913-1990) was a noted actress and singer who originated the roles of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, and Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music.  She had a photographic memory and was a great mimic -- traits that stood her well throughout her career.  She married at sixteen and had her first child, Larry (who was perhaps best known for portraying J. R. Ewing on the prime-time soap Dallas) ten months later.  She opened a dance studio, teaching her own moves, and then one in Mineral Springs, Texas, where she would also sing each Saturday.  While in California singing in San Francisco and Los Angeles, she learned that her studio had been burned down by a man who did not believe in dancing.  She stayed in Los Angeles and began a round of auditions; she was soon to be known as 'audition Mary."  During one audition, she caught the attention of Oscar Hammerstein and her career began to take off.

Mary Martin won four Tony Awards and an Emmy.  She received the Donaldson Award in 1943 for One Touch of Venus, was inducted into the National theatre Hall of Fame in 1973, and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989.  She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (one for recording, one for radio).  In her hometown of Weatherford, Texas, there is a statue of Peter Pan dedicated to her; it was donated by the Pater Pan Peanut Butter Company.

Those of us of a certain age fondly remember sitting cross-legged in from of the family television set, watching her amaze un in Peter Pan.  (Those who don't remember are mere whippersnappers who lost on out something special during childhood.)

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZa7uvmJ1U8

"The Waiter and the Porter and the Upstairs Maid"  (with Bing Crosby and Jack Teagarden)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4aprOD1Jx8

"Pound Your Table Polka"  (with Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkDIxX36R80

"I'll Walk Alone"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhpqYW4sjUE

"Almost Like Being in Love"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGKiGrTO8OM

"Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep"  (with Arthur Godfrey)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bCG-Zw_Mws

"Do-Re-Mi"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENOqIAWcjJg

"My FavoriteThings"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28wViKM_Sig

"The Sound of Music"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfjgdbKt5hE

"I Won't Grow Up"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ_M0Z1Janc

"I've Gotta Crow"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMurEg-U6HA

"Neverland"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPySGv6AJE

"I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1t9FqmLS8

"Some Enchanted Evening"  (with Ezio Pinza)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drHTYCRVoYQ

"Happy Talk"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQBjVq3Jexg

"Speak Low"  (with Kenny Baker)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ohc5vCrrWo

"I Enjoy Being a Girl"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2hMTEx52e0

A medley with Noel Coward (Get Out Those Old Records - They Didn't Believe Me - 'S Wonderful - Time on My Hands - I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Anything Goes - Dancing in the Dark - Ballerina - I Won't Dance - Papa, Won't You Dance with Me?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei-MmuLn3MU

A medley with Ethel Merman  (some oldies but goodies)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpmEiWCsaR8

From 1980, Larry Hagman tries to keep up with his mother

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poP6N_wGaE4

So much talent in one person...