November 9
INSTANT SUCCESS DAY
On this day in 1938, 24-year-old Mary Martin made her Broadway stage debut in the musical comedy Leave It to Me. She brought down the house as she sang My Heart Belongs to Daddy. And the critics raved about New York’s bright new star.
The following year brought Martin a top-ten hit with the same song. Martin suddenly found herself singing duets with Bing Crosby; starring on Broadway in One Touch of Venus in 1943; Lute Song in 1946; touring in Annie Get Your Gun; and then taking on what would become her immortal role, that of Nellie in South Pacific. South Pacific was one of Broadway’s biggest hits and the cast album was one of the first of its kind -- also a big seller. Then came Mary’s stage and TV performances as Peter Pan. This would become her signature role -- a memorable moment as the petite actress flew through the air with Tinkerbell and fought the dangerous Captain Hook.
Broadway called to Mary Martin again in 1959 for The Sound of Music and once more in 1966 for I Do, I Do.
Back in 1951, Mary Martin recorded a duet with a young man who was also destined for instant and long-term stardom. The song they sang together was Get Out Those Old Records. The twenty-year-old was her son, Larry Hagman. Maybe you know him as J.R. Ewing. This is one man that Mary Martin didn’t want to wash out of her hair!
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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