Eartha Kitt--Timbuktu!, In the Beginning Woman, 1978 TV

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9 жыл бұрын

Eartha Kitt and the cast of the Broadway musical "Timbuktu!" performed Eartha's incredible entrance and opening song, "In the Beginning Woman" on this live 1978 Labor Day Telethon for Muscular Dystrophy, hosted by Jerry Lewis. The number was staged by Geoffrey Holder (who also designed the costumes) and featured Tony Carroll, a former Mr. Universe. Also in the chorus is Obba Babatunde. "Timbuktu!" was a re-working of the classical musical "Kismet," set in Africa, but this is one of the new songs written for it by the original writers, Robert Wright and Chet Forrest.

Пікірлер: 173

@ThyGeekGoddessMuze 7 жыл бұрын

This wasn't opening night. Her opening night was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation before she opened her mouth! We saw the show and then she broke TV ratings for this fund-raiser. Her return was magnificent! We got the Boy Scout popcorn for this show!

@aeichler Жыл бұрын

This video clip is from a telethon and there wasn't any audience. It's canned applause.

@hansvonrittern9168 Жыл бұрын

I was there opening night, the "I'm here!" had so much double meaning.

@rebekah2526 6 жыл бұрын

I know y'all saw how perfectly the light hit her costume when the sound went off at 2:16

@george-nm9ol 3 жыл бұрын

Right! lol I noticed that too.

@jermainethomas1570 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect

@JohnSmith-qj6bj 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Serendipity!

@staticbb 2 жыл бұрын

lol that was kind of magic.

@DrBeeSpeaks 2 жыл бұрын

YEP!

@Nephinim 5 жыл бұрын

R.I.P Tookie Williams, who held Eartha up at the end. The message is true.

@StrutTIGER1870 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! She definitely wasn’t singing about a fantasy! She was a majestic little QUEEN! 👑

@brianwebberable 8 жыл бұрын

best entrance EVER!!

@chocolatesouljah 7 жыл бұрын

Right! I mean that was incredible!!!!

@liliilani 4 жыл бұрын

day light it was even more dramatic on the stage!!

@fourthgirl Жыл бұрын

My father always had a crush on Eartha Kitt. When she toured with Timbuktu to San Francisco, I think he was first in line to get tickets! I was 15 years old and he took me and my sister Thirdgirl to the Orpheum Theater for the show. It was a really nice night out.

@charlesc.b2435 6 жыл бұрын

Back when entertainers had class and talent!

@elizbethcurtsinger5818 9 жыл бұрын

She was one of our Queens!!!!!

@Rstanton09 4 жыл бұрын

This is how I plan on entering my wedding lol!!!!

@messdfedeiudfe2539 3 жыл бұрын

Hahahaha but the married man go away when he Saw all these muscled man, he Can t compete! Lol

@just_eboni 2 жыл бұрын

@@messdfedeiudfe2539 😭😭✋

@kimberlyking925 Жыл бұрын

lmbo

@narviawilliams2340 6 жыл бұрын

I was a fan of Eartha Kitt when I was a little girl. I'm glad my parents told me when they were alive, about our different people who sung and danced on Broadway and Hollywood. Eartha Kitt used to make me laugh. She was a beautiful woman. I seen her in an old movie with Nat King Cole and a little boy, who was Billy Preston.

@lenabluetv 4 жыл бұрын

Narvia Williams St. Louis Blues 💙

@Dragonrider1227 7 жыл бұрын

I could believe this how Eartha Kitt made all her entrances XD

@memoriam.victoriam 3 жыл бұрын

i love 1:46 when she smiles at the audience then immediately goes back into character

@Muttonchop_USA 3 жыл бұрын

That was deliberate. The Timbuktu audiences (and the general public) knew that LBJ tried to have her blacklisted. This was her comeback...and her smile of triumph. She did it opening night on Broadway and here on the telethon. I don't know if she did it at other times.

@speedyjefferson1289 9 жыл бұрын

Lawd have mercy!! This woman was the best of the best. I remember this play as a kid and remember this on the Jerry Lewis telethon my first time seeing it great, great, great...

@lyndalarose51 7 жыл бұрын

Speedy Jefferson lawd have mercy is right!

@sonnytwins 6 жыл бұрын

omg at 2:17 that diamond bling!!! Ding! hahahaha! iconic

@1927Norma 9 жыл бұрын

Wow what a cool cat...no pun meant. I saw this great lady in this stage production in the late 70s as a young kid. She was soooo awesome. Hats off and U left this world December 25, 2008 (same years as my mother died and both born in the same year and month January of 1927). U died the day of your Signature song...Santa Baby!! Must have been Kismet!!!!!

@natashaswain9303 6 жыл бұрын

I was amazed when she first came out. I love how talented she and how gorgeous she was. Absolutely brilliant!

@FreyaGem 6 жыл бұрын

A true goddess from the planet of cats! 💕💕

@keyonwoodswjj387 9 жыл бұрын

But can we talk about Mr. Holder's costume design-- and how it didn't win a tony? Eartha's costume has got to go down as one of the best leading lady costumes on Broadway.

@darrenjohnson3374 6 жыл бұрын

The greatest stage entrance EVER!

@ACinemafanatic 3 жыл бұрын

God bless Jeffrey Holder for bringing her back with this amazing performance

@Loy801 4 жыл бұрын

That Entrancement was Everything!

@johnathonf1 4 жыл бұрын

Her eyes----I'm Here!! I've loved her forever! Of course all of the male backgrounders were gorgeous too!!

@AliciaNyblade 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, where has "In the Beginning Woman" been all my life?! As a Wiccan, I have to say, THAT has to become a classic in Pagan/Wiccan circles. What a wonderfully feisty, tongue-in-cheek gem of a song. I love it! Wherever your spirit is now, Eartha, dear lady, wise crone, may you be at peace. Blessed be, witchy woman. )O(

@foxybill1836 6 жыл бұрын

That beautiful lady gave the best earth story beginnings that was pure fact. Awesome! Class act!

@carolegrimsley5249 5 жыл бұрын

in the entrance she said "I am Back. A rebuke to Lady Bird Johnson .

@purplepauline 3 жыл бұрын

@Jeff Webb the uk she worked here we loved her

@hiawathaclemons 3 жыл бұрын

@@purplepauline Sounds about right. All other countries adore Black people except America

@sunsetsun-qt3uw 2 жыл бұрын

Ohhh so lovely and exotic ,like josephine baker style

@Pipmus 8 жыл бұрын

Wow! How wonderful having these magic moments available again. Bravo and Brava to Eartha Kitt.

@mr.warmth1511 6 жыл бұрын

glad your here

@theman36 2 жыл бұрын

Saw this at The Orpheum Theater San Francisco. She WAS the show!

@christabelle__ Жыл бұрын

Truly the woman for all women to aspire to be like! She came from the worst of circumstances, and used her accidental fame and fortune to give voice to those who were just like her - outcasts amongst society - be they black, or gay, or any combination thereof! The way the U.S. Government did her back in the day was a crime - literally - and all she ever did was be honest, and uplift those who had no voice... and in the end, her suffering was worth it - she changed the world, and touched so many lives! Her legacy will truly be one that lasts throughout the ages.

@tutu5718 9 жыл бұрын

I saw Timbuktu in New York with Eartha, I think it was her first broad way show after she came back from her exile in Europe.

@Msbuddy08sej 2 жыл бұрын

Wowwwww. What a treasured memory.

@MichaelHecker 8 жыл бұрын

Eartha the Devine

@laurietalks 7 жыл бұрын

Sister rosesetta

@msmazahs 7 ай бұрын

Unmatched!

@shontemoses2833 9 жыл бұрын

Her body. Wow.

@robertd.carver6240 6 жыл бұрын

I moved to NYC at the end of 78 just after this closed. The three-sheets were still in the display cases and the marquee of the Broadway theater still proclaimed Eartha's star status.

@tsitracommunications2884 6 жыл бұрын

RIP, Eartha. To think you once portrayed The Catwoman.

@yoncedelrey Жыл бұрын

what an entrance!!!

@mixedlove1234 7 жыл бұрын

Very reminiscent of the Coming to America dance break. I can definitely see the influence.

@FreyaGem 6 жыл бұрын

PLANE JAIN -So true!! I’d expect no less of an introduction for the incomparable Eartha Kitt.

@iamDavidaRose 6 жыл бұрын

True however she did it 1st

@butterflylovenj7300 2 жыл бұрын

@@iamDavidaRose hence the term "influence"

@liamshaughnessy6246 Жыл бұрын

RIP Eartha Kitt!😂💀🪦💔

@hannahestes4171 3 жыл бұрын

Eartha Kitt was the real life Norma Desmond we actually got to have

@aeichler 3 жыл бұрын

Eartha didn't live in the past and she certainly wasn't reclusive, constantly traveling all over the world.

@GetTheGrandFunkOut 8 жыл бұрын

The divine Miss K. Miss you much!

@misslangleysoryuisiconic 3 жыл бұрын

_Eartha Kitt was a one iconic queen even she plays as Yzma_

@jermainethomas1570 3 жыл бұрын

That's my favorite 😂😂

@misslangleysoryuisiconic 3 жыл бұрын

@@jermainethomas1570 🥰🥰🥰

@ifindyouattractive 6 жыл бұрын

Wow I'm realising how inspired todays divas are by this kind of performance. The muscilar men, shiny swim-suit type dresses. Nice

@ThyGeekGoddessMuze 7 жыл бұрын

Kennedy Center - I was never the same. It was as if my own mother sent her to me. Suffice it to say, my reaction was noted. Those fierce, sparkly eyes!!

@aliciaburney9199 8 жыл бұрын

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH✊✊✊✊💪🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🎉🎉

@lataciajackson6574 3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!!! Before Coming to America Gifts from GOD 🙏🏽

@totisantiago1 3 жыл бұрын

Truly One of a KIND!

@markascales787 4 жыл бұрын

Lovely star rest peace

@narviawilliams2340 6 жыл бұрын

This was on Broadway for many years and I never got to see it. Go ahead Eartha Kitt BEAUTIFUL -TIMBUKTU

@user-sh4mv3tc3r 4 ай бұрын

It did not run for years. Not even close. This modernization of the score probably greatly contributed to it's failure. It only ran from 221 performances, less than six months.

@george-nm9ol 3 жыл бұрын

Probably one of the best opening numbers you could have.

@Thisismyusername227 8 жыл бұрын

thank you for posting this. This show is barely remembered but still holds up!

@aeichler 8 жыл бұрын

It was reworking of "Kismet" and "Kismet" is timeless.

@lapoupee88 4 жыл бұрын

Thé freedom she carried whoaaa

@mrfunky1768 3 жыл бұрын

The Personification of ......DIVA!!!!

@aweofme 2 жыл бұрын

I’MMMMM HERE!!!!!!

@popcornelove848 6 жыл бұрын

She could speak French too my great grandpa told me when he lived in France he went to the ertha kit plays in pairs rip papa and before he moved to Montreal Canada

@OpWo45 4 жыл бұрын

she actually spoke 5 languages fluently and sang in 11

@liliilani 4 жыл бұрын

I saw thus show in LA... she was a-maze-ing!!

@sjcohen4444 6 жыл бұрын

I saw this on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. But I remember Eartha perched between the shoulders of 2 body builder for her entrance.

@kinghiggins5021 2 жыл бұрын

Queen

@Vodkastinger 8 жыл бұрын

This is an absolute treasure! Thank you for sharing!

@laurietalks 7 жыл бұрын

Vod KaStinger

@mr.warmth1511 6 жыл бұрын

your welcome

@clivecarser7356 2 жыл бұрын

She's channeling another legend miss mae west who had muscle men in her act .fabulous!! And as jayne Mansfield said ,I'll have a medium steak and the guy on the right🤣🤣🤣

@biblegirl2980 5 жыл бұрын

Eddie Murphy’s Coming To America inspiration 😊

@CurlyCrafter8 4 жыл бұрын

How could people be racist against such beautyful people

@ChristopherIGomes 2 ай бұрын

Iconic

@WoodRatGirl 9 жыл бұрын

Wow! AMAZING Eartha Kitt performance here.

@KailahUhura 2 жыл бұрын

Fun Fact the dancer in the light purple is Sanaa Lathan mother Eleanor McCoy

@Msbuddy08sej 2 жыл бұрын

She was fantabulous.

@robinandrews6859 3 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing Timbuktu when I was 14 at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles.

@christophertracy2807 2 жыл бұрын

They dont make badass chicks like this anymore

@clarenceleblanc9445 7 жыл бұрын

Man Thanx!!! I watched Batman.. My Mother took me to see my EARTHA!! on her due date with my lil sister. I miss u EARTHA!!!!

@varadero1839 8 жыл бұрын

Hi Mr. Eichler, This is brilliant, and an amazing find. Wish I'd seen your post sooner! Thanks to my friend Susan for sending to me, and, of course to you for having uploaded this delightful Eartha treasure! Grateful to you as always! Best wishes, varadero

@gaesornthecold.8337 3 жыл бұрын

Queen of all queen.

@luismariofloresalcaraz8804 2 жыл бұрын

A true Diva !!! ❤

@peteranthonymoore 6 жыл бұрын

I am putting this back on Broadway with Raquel Chavis from Alvin Ailey

@aeichler 6 жыл бұрын

If you're serious, I'd love to talk to you about it. I worked with it for two years and was associate producer.

@TheChristianCrochetAddict 4 жыл бұрын

Actress here. I pray you do actually do it.

@kurtjackberhalter1537 7 жыл бұрын

Thankful for this!

@evonwilliams7502 7 жыл бұрын

So beautiful

@marcostyle1971 6 жыл бұрын

Absolutly.... The number 1.....

@wbdrugstrat 7 жыл бұрын

Absolute genius!

@GV-wv8uf 7 жыл бұрын

Iconic.

@bstwrt1703 7 жыл бұрын

MAGIC!!!!

@GilPritchett 8 жыл бұрын

LOVELY

@chelllockhart9404 5 жыл бұрын

Beautiful smile

@pamela6458 7 жыл бұрын

wooooooooooooooooooooooow Eartha mio dio con quei bonazzi!

@joaneskins6510 6 жыл бұрын

Prrrfect.

@iwakuraSanta 7 жыл бұрын

sHE WAS VERY FAMOUS TO ME AS A KID ,i WOULD NEVER HAD GUESSED SHE WAS AMERICAN

@Apathynosebleed 4 жыл бұрын

I’m in the band (trumpet)

@klieis9491 5 жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥🔥

@timurchevket6032 5 жыл бұрын

Goddess😻😻😻

@diannebrown2199 4 жыл бұрын

WOMAN!!!

@nategrey86 6 жыл бұрын

I'mmmmmmm-Ah Here! ABSOLUTE BEST...! Lol

@DBMe33 6 жыл бұрын

👏👏👏

@lynziwtf 5 жыл бұрын

ABSOLUTE Q U E E N

@leemclaury6251 5 жыл бұрын

That was one Black Adonis of muscle

@aeichler 5 жыл бұрын

Tony Carroll, a former Mr. Universe.

@tyleranyways 2 жыл бұрын

"...About Adam and hisss absent rib" 🤣

@mariaconway405 4 жыл бұрын

Batmàn brought me here. Eartha Kitt was definitely a cat in another life

@Bev1946 6 жыл бұрын

3:19 LOL He almost fell down:)

@justmyvideos14 5 жыл бұрын

Is there a soundtrack for the musical.I saw it in LA in late 70s and have been looking for a sountrack ever since.

@aeichler 5 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, they never did a cast album.

@eartha80 5 жыл бұрын

@@aeichler there IS an LP of Timbuktu ! But it is a bootleg,not an official castrecording. I HAVE that LP ! All of the singers on tht LP were not singing in the Timbuktu version Eartha was in.( Johnny Mathis,etc.) But Eartha`s two songs from Timbuktu are on it ! And the sound of the recording is very good.