The Adventures of Marco Polo (Original 1956 Television Cast)

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Free Music Notes for The Adventures of Marco Polo (Original 1956 Television Cast)

Free Music Review: A Minor Classic on CD for the First Time . . .
Hit: 5 Stars

Drake and Morrow had just ". . . returned to America after more than a year in London, rousing British audiences to wild applause for their notable performances in KISMET." MGM's 1955 film version of the musical featured Howard Keel and Ann Blyth in the roles Drake and Morrow originated on Broadway two years earlier, which may be one of the reasons CBS sought an original vehicle for their talents.

Just as Robert Wright and George Forrest adapted the music of Alexander Borodin for KISMET, Clay Warnick and Mel Pahl turned to the music of Rimsky-Korsakov for POLO. And a fine job they did! The book (by William Friedberg and Neil Simon) was merely a pretext for the popular couple to wander through some sumptuous sets and display their ample vocal abilities to the gorgeous melodies with clever lyrics by Edward Eager.

The musical numbers are strung together with a narration by Mr. Drake in his role as the world traveler, so you really don't need a plot analysis. In Miss Dorrow's opening song, she sends Marco Polo off to see the world, knowing he will become involved with other women. She sings, "When you look into their eyes, you'll be seeing me." And indeed he does. Whatever the locale, the women he meets are all played by Doretta Morrow.

If MARCO POLO reminds you of KISMET, well . . . so what! Everything about it is a delight, although "The Tartar Song" could have used a few more Tartars in the chorus. The sound is excellent mono, and DRG has done a magnificent job on the remastering and packaging. Incidentally, the whole thing was produced and directed by Max Liebman. Oh, if only the Golden Age of TV would return!

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