“Now what kind of an attitude is that, ‘These things happen?’ They only happen because this whole country is just full of people who, when these things happen, they just say, ‘These things happen,’ and that’s why they happen! We gotta have control of what happens to us.” ~ Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (born Ethel Agnes Zimmermann) (b. 1/16/1908 – d. 2/15/1984) was an American singer and actress. Known for her distinctive, powerful voice, and her leading roles in musical theater, she has been called “the undisputed First Lady of the musical comedy stage.”
Early Years
Ethel was born in her maternal grandmother’s house in Astoria, Queens and was an only child. Her father, Edward, was an accountant, and her mother, Agnes (née Gardner) was a schoolteacher. Her parents insisted she have an education with training in secretarial skills, in case her entertainment career failed.
On Friday nights, the Zimmermann family took the subway into Manhattan to see the vaudeville show at the Palace Theatre, where Merman saw Blossom Seeley, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, and Nora Bayes. At home, she tried to emulate their singing styles, but found her own distinctive voice difficult to disguise.
After graduating high school, she was hired as a stenographer and eventually became personal secretary to company president, whose frequent lengthy absences from the office to race automobiles allowed her to catch up on the sleep she had lost the previous night when she was out late singing at private parties.
Early Career
She began performing in nightclubs, with a dream to sing in theater. As she decided the name Ethel Zimmermann was too long for a theater marquee, she abbreviated Zimmermann to Merman.
During a two-week singing engagement at a club in midtown Manhattan, Merman met agent Lou Irwin, who arranged for her to audition for Archie Mayo, a film director under contract at Warner Bros. He offered her an exclusive six-month contract, starting at $125 per week, and Merman quit her day job, only to find herself idle for weeks while waiting to be cast in a film. She urged Irwin to cancel her agreement with Mayo; instead, he negotiated her a better deal allowing her to perform in clubs while remaining on the Warner Bros.’ payroll. Merman was hired as a torch singer at Les Ambassadeurs, where the headliner was Jimmy Durante; the two became lifelong friends. She caught the attention of columnists such as Walter Winchell and Mark Hellinger, who began to give her publicity.
There is an extensive history of how Merman’s career took off in wikipedia, and I would encourage you to check it out, as it is impressive.
Theater Work = 17
Filmography = 17
Television = 40
Hit Records = 12
Memoirs written = 2 (one in 1955 and one in 1978)
I remember watching Merman in old movies. I remember the sparkle in her eyes and her bright energy. She was a funny lady. Reading some of the quotes associated with her, she made me laugh all over again. I will share a few anecdotes here, but be warned, they are a little risque.
An oft recounted story from her short marriage [to Ernest Borgnine] demonstrated the volatility of their relationship. When Borgnine asked Merman how her audition had gone, she replied: “Well, they were mad about my 35-year-old body, my 35-year-old voice, and my 35-year-old face.” “Is that so?” Borgnine responded. “And what did they think of your 65-year-old cunt?” Without missing a beat, Merman retorted: “You weren’t mentioned once.“
While rehearsing a guest appearance on The Loretta Young Show, Merman exclaimed “Where the hell does this go?” Young, who was a devout Catholic, advanced towards Merman waving an empty coffee can, saying, “Miss Merman, you said the ‘H’ word! That’ll be twenty-five cents.“—to which Merman replied, “Tell me, Loretta, how much will it cost me to tell you to go fuck yourself?”
Tao-Talk 
She was one of a kind, and you write up is excellent. Great read, Lisa, and a great subject.
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Nancy, happy you enjoyed the write-up. Yes, she was. Thank you.
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Very welcome.
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A big voice that would be out of place now that musical theatre singers are all miked. You no longer have to belt it out to reach the back of the balcony.
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Steve, good point! Her voice did carry. I loved her sparkly personality and that she was no pushover.
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Wonder post, Lisa. Ethel Merman was described as having a “mouth like a sailor’s” and frequently used “salty language” that was never delivered in a whisper. Her, brash, often loud, and foul-mouthed persona was a stark contrast to the polite, often reserved, demeanor of other stars of that era. Ethel had an incredible, unamplified voice that could reach the top balcony of any theater, often described as having the vitality of a brass horn.
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Jim, I appreciate the additional info on Miss Merman. “Vitality of a brass horn” is such a great descriptor.
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Another excellent addition Lisa. She was certainly a force was she not! Last year I had her as the third most covered female performer of all time. As you mentioned she had a remarkable stage and movie career. She was the first to introduce “I’ve got Rhythm” , “I Get a Kick Out of You “ and “There’s no Business like Show Business”.
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Randy, thanks so much for the additional info on Miss Merman. “Third most covered female performer of all time.” That is impressive! I remember her from the movies as having a good sense of humor. Isn’t “There’s No Business like Show Business” her signature song?
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Yes I would say so Lisa.
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Oh, Ethel ….
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:)
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Thanks for a most interesting share, Lisa. I’ve never known much about Merman other than pop culture references. Loved the sharp and witty quotes you included.
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Glad you found the post interesting, Steve. And that you got a chuckle out of the anecdotes :)
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That is such a wonderful song, and she does it full justice. What a life, what a woman. We need more like her. She could tell Donald a thing or two. (K)
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Oh my, yes she could. Yes, we need more like her. Ain’t taking no back seat to a man — ever!
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I love these old broads! Women like her and Mae West. They didn’t keep their tongues locked up and were not going to let anyone tell them who to be. Wonderful.
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You got that right, Dale. I feel the same way.
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Of course you do!
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I remember her so well growing up! Never knew much about her but she was on televsion a lot.
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Yes, she was, Max. I wonder if she was ever on Hollywood Squares? Remember her in “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World”? Great movie with an all-star cast!
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Yes I do…with Paul Lynde in the center square I believe….and yes I love that movie!
I should be able to catch up tomorrow. We are going back tonight, when it’s closed, to finish up when there is no one there.
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Max, I hope your boss gives you either a raise or a bonus for this extra work.
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I won’t hold my breath! But I’ve ran my last cable lol…unless it’s at home. I thought for sure we would finish today but too many customers.
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Here’s what I know about Ethel. Married to Ernie, played Milton’s wife and Dick Shawn’s mom in the film u mentioned. Forever stuck in my head. For better or worse.
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LOL, CB! that last part made me spit my coffee out. I’m glad you know that movie. It’s a riot. Jonathan Winters was so good in it.
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I made my brood watch it when they were kids. They’re still mad at me. “I’m comin Ma I’m comin” Winters was great. The nerd fight between Terry Thomas and Uncle Milty is high on the list. We are in the cult club for that film. Nice to have company. I think that makes 3.
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So funny about making your kids watch it. Yes, I can see Winters now. He was blast in whatever he did. Yes on Terry and Milty nerd fight. Remember Jimmy Durante kicking the can?
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Certainly do on the Durante bit. Right at the start. So many great bits. Ethel was a great sport for taking that role.
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I’mvery impressed with her. What a musician! I loved hearing her sound!
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Nobody sings it like she does. I love her!
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