JOHNNY MATHIS: WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL! {FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION} {BONUS PERFORMANCES} (TV)
Summary
Part two of two. This concert program, from the
Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, celebrates the
fiftieth anniversary of the career of crooner Johnny
Mathis. This tape features special "bonus" performances
from the evening as well as some additional material.
In this part, Mathis performs such hits as: Henry
Mancini's "Two for the Road," "Charade," "Days of Wine
and Roses," and "Moon River"; "It's All in the Game";
"Let Me Be the One"; "Fly Me to the Moon"; "Young and
Foolish"; "Sands of Time"; "Pure Imagination"; and
"Toyland." Next, the tape presents a tour of Mathis's
former San Francisco neighborhoods. Mathis talks about
the "magical" quality of the city as well as his family
having moved from Texas to San Francisco when he was a
youth. Mathis speaks lovingly of his family,
specifically his working-class parents, who raised seven
children and put them through college "on domestic
wages." He also talks about forging a love of music.
Mathis examines the gate leading to his childhood
apartment -- believing it to be the old gate from when
he was a boy. He also views Chinatown, Coit Tower, his
second family home in the city, his high school, and San
Francisco State University's track stadium, where he
made headlines for the high jump. He also speaks of
playing sports with future NBA legends Bill Russell and
K.C. Jones, his love of golf, receiving voice training
from Connie Cox ("The most instrumental person in my
life, as far as my voice is concerned," says Mathis),
going to jazz clubs such as the Blackhawk, being offered
a chance to go to the Olympic trials as a high jumper,
and making his first record. Next, the tape presents a
tour of Mathis's Los Angeles home. Mathis discusses how
the "tiny house" grew like an "organism" into a mansion,
his swimming pool, the reason the house exists, why he
has a second kitchen, his "picture of Dorian Gray," his
sentimental possessions, and how his house may have
been built by Howard Hughes. Next, the program offers
footage of a Mathis appearance on "The Tonight Show
with Johnny Carson," during which Mathis brings his pet
English sheepdog Henry on stage for a series of tricks.
Next, Mathis talks about meeting Chip Davis of Mannheim
Steamroller and performing the Christmas song "O
Tannenbaum" for him. Next, Mathis speaks of the song
"Wonderful, Wonderful," which he believes is "Johnny
Mathis's song," followed by the tune being played as a
collection of photos of Mathis is shown. Finally,
Mathis performs "Too Young" as part of his appearance at
the Tropicana.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 30, 2005
- RUNNING TIME: 1:15:11
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:91354
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music, popular (songs, etc.); Biography
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 2006
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Evan Haiman
- John Carlo Vernile … Executive Producer
- JoAnn Young … Executive Producer, Producer
- Harriet Unger … Executive Producer
- Sven Nebelung … Coordinating Producer
- Sarah Iversen … Coordinating Producer
- James Arntz … Producer
- Steve Berkowitz … Production (Misc.), Music Producer
- Dae Bennett … Production (Misc.), Audio Producer
- Michael Beyer … Director
- Scott Lavender … Conductor
- Johnny Mathis … Performer
- Johnny Carson
- Connie Cox
- Chip Davis
- Howard Hughes
- K.C. Jones
- Henry Mancini
- Bill Russell