TV production of Aladdin where his mother sings “you're an idle ragamuffin” to him












6














There was a television production of a musical version of Aladdin shown in approximately the early seventies. I can't confirm the channel, but I have a strong suspicion it was WNEW in New York, which was at the time a MetroMedia affiliate. It featured a song by Aladdin's mother, sung to Aladdin, featuring the line "you're an idle ragamuffin".



It's not the Cole Porter version from 1958 -- that one was allegedly never rebroadcast, and does not appear to contain such a song. Also, the one I saw was in color.



Is the production I saw ringing a bell with anyone?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
    – Jenayah
    Dec 20 at 17:34
















6














There was a television production of a musical version of Aladdin shown in approximately the early seventies. I can't confirm the channel, but I have a strong suspicion it was WNEW in New York, which was at the time a MetroMedia affiliate. It featured a song by Aladdin's mother, sung to Aladdin, featuring the line "you're an idle ragamuffin".



It's not the Cole Porter version from 1958 -- that one was allegedly never rebroadcast, and does not appear to contain such a song. Also, the one I saw was in color.



Is the production I saw ringing a bell with anyone?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
    – Jenayah
    Dec 20 at 17:34














6












6








6


1





There was a television production of a musical version of Aladdin shown in approximately the early seventies. I can't confirm the channel, but I have a strong suspicion it was WNEW in New York, which was at the time a MetroMedia affiliate. It featured a song by Aladdin's mother, sung to Aladdin, featuring the line "you're an idle ragamuffin".



It's not the Cole Porter version from 1958 -- that one was allegedly never rebroadcast, and does not appear to contain such a song. Also, the one I saw was in color.



Is the production I saw ringing a bell with anyone?










share|improve this question















There was a television production of a musical version of Aladdin shown in approximately the early seventies. I can't confirm the channel, but I have a strong suspicion it was WNEW in New York, which was at the time a MetroMedia affiliate. It featured a song by Aladdin's mother, sung to Aladdin, featuring the line "you're an idle ragamuffin".



It's not the Cole Porter version from 1958 -- that one was allegedly never rebroadcast, and does not appear to contain such a song. Also, the one I saw was in color.



Is the production I saw ringing a bell with anyone?







story-identification tv






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 20 at 17:37









Spencer

4111513




4111513










asked Dec 20 at 16:56









VBartilucci

8,68611640




8,68611640








  • 1




    Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
    – Jenayah
    Dec 20 at 17:34














  • 1




    Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
    – Jenayah
    Dec 20 at 17:34








1




1




Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
– Jenayah
Dec 20 at 17:34




Was it only Aladdin, or is there any chance there was a mashup of other 1001 nights characters as well?
– Jenayah
Dec 20 at 17:34










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















7














We have a winner - it is indeed the 1967 broadcast, based on the Prince Street Players version of the show. This would have meant either that I was only a year old when I saw it (and have a FAR better memory than I ever imagined) or that it was rebroadcast later.



This site offers the rights to the play, and the summary directly quotes the phrase "idle ragamuffin". There's even a clip of the song in question.




Using the art of Ancient Chinese Staging, an all-knowing and
all-seeing Stage Manager and his two Assistants tell the story of
Aladdin – an "idle rag-a-muffin," kite-flying enthusiast. After
happening upon, and falling hopelessly in love with, the emperor's
daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the
richest man in China and marry her, but Fate is a fickle mistress, and
Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns
before he can have his Happily Ever After.




The Prince Street Players' own site uses the same phrase, and offers more info about their productions.



Now I just have to see if I can track down a copy.






share|improve this answer































    6














    There was a TV movie musical of Aladdin that was first broadcast on Christmas Day, 1971 on the BBC. It might have been rebroadcast in the USA at some later point. Were the characters speaking with British accents? I do not remember seeing this; I found it by searching IMDB, which has no photos nor lyrics. The next closest match was from 1967 but it was staged in "Chinese theatre" style which you would have remembered.



    The archival BBC television listings added that it was broadcast at 5 PM their time, and says: "Cilla Black as Aladdin. A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS, RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA, Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES, Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL."



    Here is a black and white picture from a rehearsal of this production.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
      – VBartilucci
      Dec 20 at 20:45










    • Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
      – VBartilucci
      Dec 20 at 20:48










    • @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
      – Jenayah
      Dec 20 at 20:53











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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    7














    We have a winner - it is indeed the 1967 broadcast, based on the Prince Street Players version of the show. This would have meant either that I was only a year old when I saw it (and have a FAR better memory than I ever imagined) or that it was rebroadcast later.



    This site offers the rights to the play, and the summary directly quotes the phrase "idle ragamuffin". There's even a clip of the song in question.




    Using the art of Ancient Chinese Staging, an all-knowing and
    all-seeing Stage Manager and his two Assistants tell the story of
    Aladdin – an "idle rag-a-muffin," kite-flying enthusiast. After
    happening upon, and falling hopelessly in love with, the emperor's
    daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the
    richest man in China and marry her, but Fate is a fickle mistress, and
    Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns
    before he can have his Happily Ever After.




    The Prince Street Players' own site uses the same phrase, and offers more info about their productions.



    Now I just have to see if I can track down a copy.






    share|improve this answer




























      7














      We have a winner - it is indeed the 1967 broadcast, based on the Prince Street Players version of the show. This would have meant either that I was only a year old when I saw it (and have a FAR better memory than I ever imagined) or that it was rebroadcast later.



      This site offers the rights to the play, and the summary directly quotes the phrase "idle ragamuffin". There's even a clip of the song in question.




      Using the art of Ancient Chinese Staging, an all-knowing and
      all-seeing Stage Manager and his two Assistants tell the story of
      Aladdin – an "idle rag-a-muffin," kite-flying enthusiast. After
      happening upon, and falling hopelessly in love with, the emperor's
      daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the
      richest man in China and marry her, but Fate is a fickle mistress, and
      Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns
      before he can have his Happily Ever After.




      The Prince Street Players' own site uses the same phrase, and offers more info about their productions.



      Now I just have to see if I can track down a copy.






      share|improve this answer


























        7












        7








        7






        We have a winner - it is indeed the 1967 broadcast, based on the Prince Street Players version of the show. This would have meant either that I was only a year old when I saw it (and have a FAR better memory than I ever imagined) or that it was rebroadcast later.



        This site offers the rights to the play, and the summary directly quotes the phrase "idle ragamuffin". There's even a clip of the song in question.




        Using the art of Ancient Chinese Staging, an all-knowing and
        all-seeing Stage Manager and his two Assistants tell the story of
        Aladdin – an "idle rag-a-muffin," kite-flying enthusiast. After
        happening upon, and falling hopelessly in love with, the emperor's
        daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the
        richest man in China and marry her, but Fate is a fickle mistress, and
        Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns
        before he can have his Happily Ever After.




        The Prince Street Players' own site uses the same phrase, and offers more info about their productions.



        Now I just have to see if I can track down a copy.






        share|improve this answer














        We have a winner - it is indeed the 1967 broadcast, based on the Prince Street Players version of the show. This would have meant either that I was only a year old when I saw it (and have a FAR better memory than I ever imagined) or that it was rebroadcast later.



        This site offers the rights to the play, and the summary directly quotes the phrase "idle ragamuffin". There's even a clip of the song in question.




        Using the art of Ancient Chinese Staging, an all-knowing and
        all-seeing Stage Manager and his two Assistants tell the story of
        Aladdin – an "idle rag-a-muffin," kite-flying enthusiast. After
        happening upon, and falling hopelessly in love with, the emperor's
        daughter, Princess Mei Ling, Aladdin is determined to become the
        richest man in China and marry her, but Fate is a fickle mistress, and
        Aladdin's is about to take a few treacherous and hilarious turns
        before he can have his Happily Ever After.




        The Prince Street Players' own site uses the same phrase, and offers more info about their productions.



        Now I just have to see if I can track down a copy.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Dec 20 at 21:22

























        answered Dec 20 at 21:10









        VBartilucci

        8,68611640




        8,68611640

























            6














            There was a TV movie musical of Aladdin that was first broadcast on Christmas Day, 1971 on the BBC. It might have been rebroadcast in the USA at some later point. Were the characters speaking with British accents? I do not remember seeing this; I found it by searching IMDB, which has no photos nor lyrics. The next closest match was from 1967 but it was staged in "Chinese theatre" style which you would have remembered.



            The archival BBC television listings added that it was broadcast at 5 PM their time, and says: "Cilla Black as Aladdin. A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS, RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA, Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES, Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL."



            Here is a black and white picture from a rehearsal of this production.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:45










            • Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:48










            • @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
              – Jenayah
              Dec 20 at 20:53
















            6














            There was a TV movie musical of Aladdin that was first broadcast on Christmas Day, 1971 on the BBC. It might have been rebroadcast in the USA at some later point. Were the characters speaking with British accents? I do not remember seeing this; I found it by searching IMDB, which has no photos nor lyrics. The next closest match was from 1967 but it was staged in "Chinese theatre" style which you would have remembered.



            The archival BBC television listings added that it was broadcast at 5 PM their time, and says: "Cilla Black as Aladdin. A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS, RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA, Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES, Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL."



            Here is a black and white picture from a rehearsal of this production.






            share|improve this answer





















            • Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:45










            • Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:48










            • @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
              – Jenayah
              Dec 20 at 20:53














            6












            6








            6






            There was a TV movie musical of Aladdin that was first broadcast on Christmas Day, 1971 on the BBC. It might have been rebroadcast in the USA at some later point. Were the characters speaking with British accents? I do not remember seeing this; I found it by searching IMDB, which has no photos nor lyrics. The next closest match was from 1967 but it was staged in "Chinese theatre" style which you would have remembered.



            The archival BBC television listings added that it was broadcast at 5 PM their time, and says: "Cilla Black as Aladdin. A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS, RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA, Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES, Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL."



            Here is a black and white picture from a rehearsal of this production.






            share|improve this answer












            There was a TV movie musical of Aladdin that was first broadcast on Christmas Day, 1971 on the BBC. It might have been rebroadcast in the USA at some later point. Were the characters speaking with British accents? I do not remember seeing this; I found it by searching IMDB, which has no photos nor lyrics. The next closest match was from 1967 but it was staged in "Chinese theatre" style which you would have remembered.



            The archival BBC television listings added that it was broadcast at 5 PM their time, and says: "Cilla Black as Aladdin. A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS, RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA, Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES, Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL."



            Here is a black and white picture from a rehearsal of this production.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Dec 20 at 20:21









            nebogipfel

            1,00135




            1,00135












            • Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:45










            • Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:48










            • @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
              – Jenayah
              Dec 20 at 20:53


















            • Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:45










            • Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
              – VBartilucci
              Dec 20 at 20:48










            • @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
              – Jenayah
              Dec 20 at 20:53
















            Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
            – VBartilucci
            Dec 20 at 20:45




            Hm, this may be worth investigating. It's certainly the right timeframe. I don't recall it being in Panto style, however, and I don't remember seeing anyone's Twankey <g>. The "Chinese theatre" style of the 1967 version also matches the aforementioned 1958 Cole Porter production, a complete copy of which I actually found online. youtube.com/watch?v=LxVF572N4yI
            – VBartilucci
            Dec 20 at 20:45












            Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
            – VBartilucci
            Dec 20 at 20:48




            Now that I recall, the 1967 version may be the winner, and either I saw it far earlier than I thought (I'd have only been one, for pete's sake), or it was re-run some years later. I recall a scene involving cups of tea and the old "distract and swap" gag - the pair kept pointing and saying "look, please" in a style that very well could be described as cartoonishly Asian. I found the older version, perhaps it's worth digging about for that one.
            – VBartilucci
            Dec 20 at 20:48












            @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
            – Jenayah
            Dec 20 at 20:53




            @VBartilucci if you are to dig about the 1967 one, check out the only (but quite complete) review it has on IMDb
            – Jenayah
            Dec 20 at 20:53


















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