Mary Martin (1913-1990) made her Broadway debut in the 1938 musical comedy Leave It to Me! While the show was from the future Kiss Me, Kate team of composer-lyricist Cole Porter and librettists Sam and Bella Spewack, its brand of political satire didn't age well; it closed after a respectable 291 performances on Broadway but has rarely been revived since. Yet Martin's performance has kept the show's legend alive, for it was in Leave It to Me! that the coquettish young talent introduced Porter's sweet and saucy "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." A star was born, and Martin wore her crown as one of the first ladies of the American musical theatre for decades until her passing in 1990 at the age of 76. A Kennedy Center Honoree, she headlined eleven Broadway shows including the original productions of Peter Pan, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, and also became a star of television and film as well as a recording artist for labels including Decca, Columbia, RCA, Capitol, and Disneyland. She also cherished the role of mother to Dallas and I Dream of Jeannie superstar Larry Hagman.
After having previously reissued some of Martin's Disneyland recordings on the Hi-Ho and Other Rarities collection, Stage Door is returning to celebrate the legendary performer with another release. On Air 1939-1950 follows the label's similar On Air set for Petula Clark. Over 2 CDs, it presents over 50 rarities recorded for NBC Radio's Good News (later retitled Maxwell House Coffee Time) and Kraft Music Hall. Almost every track on this anthology is new to CD, and most haven't been heard since their original airing between 1939 and 1950. During that period, Martin appeared in numerous films including Star Spangled Rhythm and Night and Day and originated roles in Broadway's One Touch of Venus, Lute Song, and South Pacific.
On Air features numerous standards including film and Broadway classics not originally sung by Martin as well as songs from her own stage successes. In addition to two performances of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (including the radio premiere of the song in which she was introduced by Rudy Vallee), the set has Martin sharing her showstopping "A Wonderful Guy" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific; and "There's No Business Like Show Business" from Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. While friendly rival Ethel Merman starred as Annie Oakley in the latter on Broadway, Martin took the show on tour and also appeared in a television production. Radio also gave her the opportunity to sing some unusual novelties such as opera selections in the style of swing. Among the plentiful other treasures, Hollywood leading man Dick Powell joins Martin on ten tunes; she had appeared with him in both Star Spangled Rhythm and Happy Go Lucky, both in 1943. Mary's One Touch of Venus co-star Kenny Baker joins her to sing "You're Devastating" from Jerome Kern and Otto Harbach's Roberta.
Stage Door has produced On Air 1939-1950 in collaboration with The Mary Martin Collection & Archive at The Doss Heritage and Culture Center in her home city of Weatherford, Texas. Audio has been sourced from Mary's own private 78rpm transcription records housed at the Center. These rare discs, most of which were pressed on fragile glass acetates, have been transferred and restored by Stage Door for this release. Mary Martin archivist George Dansker has written new liner notes, and the booklet also includes a complete listing of broadcast dates for the featured performances.
Those looking to celebrate one of Broadway's greatest leading ladies can find On Air 1939-1950 beginning November 26 from Stage Door Records. Note that pre-orders directly from Stage Door typically ship and arrive much earlier than the official release date. You'll find order links just below!
Mary Martin, On Air 1939-1950 (Stage Door Records STAGE 9089, 2021) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Link TBD / Stage Door Records)
CD 1
- THAT'S FOR ME (from the film Rhythm on the River)
- KATIE WENT TO HAITI (from DuBarry Was a Lady)
- THE AMERICAN WALTZ
- ALL ALONE (with Dick Powell)
- FERRYBOAT SERENADE (with Dick Powell)
- WHEN YOU'RE SMILING
- BE CAREFUL IT'S MY HEART (from the film Holiday Inn)
- DOWN ARGENTINA WAY (from the film Down Argentine Way)
- CONCHITA MARQUITA LOLITA PEPITA ROSITA JUANITA LOPEZ (with Dick Powell)
- THE MOVING PICTURE OF MY HEART (with Dick Powell)
- WHY DO I LOVE YOU (FROM 'SHOW BOAT') (with Dick Powell)
- I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU / I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN (from Anything Goes / Born to Dance)
- DO IT AGAIN (from The French Doll)
- MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY (from Leave it to Me!)
- IN A MOONBOAT
- OUR LOVE AFFAIR (from the film Strike Up the Band) (with Dick Powell)
- I LOVE HER OH OH OH (with Dick Powell)
- I WANT A DOLL (with Dick Powell)
- I LEFT MY HEART AT THE STAGE DOOR CANTEEN (from This is the Army)
- THIS IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
- HE WEARS A PAIR OF SILVER WINGS
- HOMETOWN
- LOVE IS A SONG THAT NEVER ENDS (from the film Bambi)
- TIME ON MY HANDS (from Smile)
- WHEN DAY IS DONE
- GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART
CD 2
- THE TROLLEY SONG (from the film Meet Me in St. Louis)
- THE SAGA OF JENNY (from Lady in the Dark)
- YOU'RE DEVASTATING (from Roberta) (with Kenny Baker)
- STILL A BLUEBIRD SINGS
- I'LL WALK ALONE (from the film Follow the Boys)
- I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS
- I'M GETTING TIRED SO I CAN SLEEP (from This is the Army)
- LITTLE MAN YOU'VE HAD A BUSY DAY
- IL BACIO (Excerpt)
- CARO NOME (from Rigoletto)
- LES FILLES DE CADIZ
- LO, HERE THE GENTLE LARK
- HE LOVES ME, YES
- LISTEN TO THE MOCKINGBIRD
- TIT WILLOW (from The Mikado)
- AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' (from Connie's Hot Chocolates)
- THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW (from Annie Get Your Gun)
- I'M GONNA WASH THAT MAN RIGHT OUTA MY HAIR (from South Pacific)
- A WONDERFUL GUY (from South Pacific)
- OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNIN' (from Oklahoma!)
- HE COMES FROM TIMBUKTHREE
- REUBEN AND RACHEL (with Dick Powell)
- Rudy Vallee Introduces HEART BELONGS TO DADDY (from Leave it to Me!)
- THE SWEETEST SIGHT
- TIT WILLOW (Alternate Version) (from The Mikado) (Bonus Track)
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