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CAROL BURNETT SHOW, THE {MARTHA RAYE, MEL TORME} (TV)

Summary

One in this series of comedy/variety programs starring Carol Burnett. This program features special guests Martha Raye and Mel Tormé.

The episode begins as Burnett takes the stage and chats with the audience, offering comments on her favorite pastimes; her advice to aspiring actors, including the importance of a formal theater arts education and the need to save one's money; her longtime friendship with Garry Moore, who discovered her; and the cast's upcoming trip to England, where the show has just been sold to distributors.

In the first sketch, a snobby woman (Burnett) and her equally high-class French poodle have an unusual run-in at the park with a bawdy visitor (Raye) and her mongrel dog. Next, Tormé sings "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and "Spinning Wheel," and Raye performs "He Gives Me Love."

Following this is a tribute to the films of Walt Disney, including the studios' various nature documentaries: a peacock, played by Korman, proudly struts and shows off for the documentary cameras as his annoyed wife, played by Raye, looks over their egg -- which then hatches and reveals, to their surprise, a parrot. Next, the performers honor "Fantasia" (1940), known for its elaborate animal dance sequences, and a large number of birds, crocodiles and other creatures are seen attending dance class to "prepare" for the movie.

Burnett explains that "Sleeping Beauty" (1959) was released prior to the creation of the modern motion picture rating system, so the cast members present three versions of the story: the squeaky-clean G-rated version, in which the prince and princess plan their marriage after sharing a chaste kiss; the M for mature version, in which the sleeping princess isn't too thrilled to meet her home invader, and then "X for the racy crowd," featuring an unexpected surprise for Prince Charming. Next is a medley of memorable Disney tunes: "Give a Little Whistle" and "When You Wish Upon a Star" from "Pinocchio" (1940), "I'm Wishing" and "Whistle While You Work" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937), "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" from "Cinderella" (1950), "I'm Late" from "Alice in Wonderland" (1951), and "The Three Caballeros" from the 1941 film of the same name.

Next, Mary Poppins' "twin sister" Penny, played by Burnett, arrives at the troubled home of the Banks family and tries to help the drunken mother and "sex fiend" father and son Reggie, but she only succeeds in further complicating their lives, particularly when she can't remember the tongue-twisting magic word that inspires human flight. Finally, Minnie and Mickey Mouse sing a romantic song about their eternal devotion to one another, and everyone joins in for the Mickey Mouse Club theme song.

Burnett then closes the show by singing her signature good-night song and adding Ray and Tormé's autographs to her guest book. Includes commercials.

Details

  • NETWORK: CBS
  • DATE: November 30, 1967 10:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:57:49
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W copy of a color telecast
  • CATALOG ID: B:14201
  • GENRE: Comedy/Variety
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy/Variety; Music
  • SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1967-1978
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Ajax laundry detergent
    • TV - Commercials - Anacin painkillers
    • TV - Commercials - Carnation Instant Breakfast meal
    • TV - Commercials - Colgate toothpaste
    • TV - Commercials - Doral cigarettes
    • TV - Commercials - Dristan nasal spray
    • TV - Commercials - Friskies dog food
    • TV - Commercials - Kent cigarettes
    • TV - Commercials - Playtex brassieres

CREDITS

  • Joe Hamilton … Producer
  • Robert Wright … Associate Producer
  • Dave Powers … Director
  • Arnie Rosen … Writer
  • Bob Weiskopf … Writer
  • Bob Schiller … Writer
  • Hal Goodman … Writer
  • Larry Klein … Writer
  • Kenny Solms … Writer
  • Gail Parent … Writer
  • Don Hinkley … Writer
  • Buz Kohan … Writer
  • Bill Angelos … Writer
  • Harry Zimmerman … Music by
  • Ernest Flatt … Choreographer
  • Carol Burnett … Host, Performer
  • Harvey Korman … Cast
  • Vicki Lawrence … Cast
  • Lyle Waggoner … Cast
  • Mel Tormé … Guest, Performer
  • Martha Raye … Guest, Performer
  • Walt Disney
  • Garry Moore