ONE TOUCH OF VENUS (Weill) Blair, Nype (DVD)

One Touch of Venus was Kurt Weill’s most successful musical written for Broadway, and the only “book musical” for which the legendary poet Ogden Nash wrote the lyrics. The 1948 Hollywood film version – shorn of all but a few of the songs – failed to capture the show’s charms. But this 1955 television adaptation, based on the stage production by the Dallas State Fair Musicals, is a delight, retaining nearly all of the glorious score (including such hits as “Speak Low” and “I’m a Stranger Here Myself”) and most of the original book, co-written by Nash and S.J. Perelman. The cast is headed by Janet Blair, Russell Nype, and George Gaynes, and also features a strong supporting cast of brilliant character actors. This DVD presents the complete live telecast, including the original commercials added as a separate bonus feature.
Black & White, 79 minutes (plus bonus: 9 minutes), 4:3, NTSC (Playable all regions)

ONE TOUCH OF VENUS
Music by Kurt Weill
Lyrics by Ogden Nash
Book by S.J. Perelman and Ogden Nash, based on The Tinted Venus by F. Anstey
Directed by George Schaefer

Cast: Janet Blair (Venus); Russell Nype (Rodney Hatch); George Gaynes (Whitelaw Savory); Laurel Shelby (Molly Grant); Mort Marshall (Taxi Black); Iggie Wolfington (Stanley); Mildred Trares (Gloria Kramer); Adnia Rice (Mrs. Kramer); Georgia Simmons (Mrs. Moats); William LeMassena (Zuvetli, an Anatolian); Arnie Freeman (Orab, an Anatolian); Louis Nye (Dr. Rook); Glenn Kezer (Police Lieutenant); Len Doyle (Officer); Dick Wilson, Pete Gumeny (Delivery Men); with Jack Friend, Fred Hildebrand, Val Avery

Musical Numbers:
• Overture
• “How Much I Love You” (Rodney)
• “I'm A Stranger Here Myself” (Venus)
• Ballet: “Forty Minutes for Lunch”
• “Westwind” (Whitelaw, Chorus)
• “One Touch of Venus” (Molly)
• “Foolish Heart” (Venus, Whitelaw)
• “The Trouble With Women” (Taxi, Whitelaw, Stanley, Rodney)
• “Speak Low” (Venus, Rodney)
• “Speak Low” (reprise) (Rodney, Venus)
• “Catch Hatch” (Whitelaw, Molly, Stanley, Taxi, Mrs. Kramer, Three Anatolians, Chorus)
• “That's Him” (Venus, Rodney)
• “Wooden Wedding” (Rodney, Venus)
• Ballet: “Venus in Ozone Heights”
• “Speak Low” (reprise) (Rodney)