God those hands and face: she was it.

"With one look, I'll BAY MAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!"

That is who should play Norma in the movie version.

my memory is of her, as the matriarch on "Eight Is Enough" tv show

This is a masterclass.

Burt Bacharach and Hal David, phenomenal together! What a duo! Their music stands the test of time. Betty, kudos! The way you sing this song is brilliant.

Saw Betty Buckley playing Norma Desmond in London many years ago absolutely fabulous

So perfect! Thank you! ♥️Xxxooo

She is absolutely superb in this role, what a wonderful performer she is. Much love and appreciation. X

Betty Buckley is not deemed "The Voice of Broadway" for nothing.

The reason why I have always preferred Betty's interpretation is because she had a regalness and inner strength to her presence and voice. As if she were saying touch me and I will show you the way, show you how it used to be, show you how I used to be. As if she is trying to help them realize something. Not so much a hysterical cry for help as everyone else plays it. When she says "look" you can see her see the past and how much she enjoyed it. The way she won't look the audience or other characters in the eyes, but looks away or down as if she is afraid of their response. It's all so well thought out and executed so perfectly. Plus her TOUCH ME is the single best moment in musical history! I would have loved to see her do this live back then.

I visited NYC for the first time in late January 1988, and there were posters everywhere for Carrie: the Musical. I knew I was going to return in June so I thought I would be able to see it then. But of course it had already closed. I got my hands on a pirated cassette of the show in 2004, and was at least able to finally hear it in all it's glory. Luckily I was able to see Betty in Triumph of Love and Sunset Boulevard! She is the best of her generation! I would love to see a show with Betty and Judy Kuhn - maybe a The Rink revival?

God, this is so great!!

This memory was cut short, why?!

Betty Buckley is just astounding. At about 3:11 on the counter,when she turns and starts to walk up the stairs,just listen to her belt out "Silent music starts to play". It is so forceful and piercing. I saw her on Broadway in Edwin Drood" and believe,her recordings don't do justice to her voice on stage. It shook the rafters but was wonderful. Best voice I ever heard on Broadway and that includes Patti LuPone and an old time stage star,Ethel Merman.

Damn. The acting is phenomenal!

Astonishing ❤❤❤ thank you so much for posting xxx

I've just discovered this.... and of the various versions hers is so far easily the best.... the opening lines are awkwardly placed for most singers right in the middle of the passaggio (too high for comfortable chest too low for their head voice) even Lupone sounded like she was struggling a bit with them but she just sails through them.

I want to hear her sing the phone book

I saw this production, it was thrilling but only 2 songs are much good. Close, Streisand, Buckley et al, maybe Barbie doll gets it

And Betty Buckley got a Tony for that

Effortless 🤯

I have seen, Betty, Patti, Elaine, Petula, Faith and Glenn play Norma and to be honest Betty was the best. We sat in the front row in London and she was electric.

Flew back next to Betty Buckley on a Pan Am flight from Paris around this time. Lovely person and a voice like no other.

Such a nice song., sung beautifully!

The BEST NORMA EEEVVVAAAHHHH

Brilliant!!!!!!!! i was fortunate to see Betty Buckley in the Broadway Production.

So heartfelt and wonderful!! Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

the clarinet or whatever the hell thay accompany instrument was could not even match Grizzabella's phrasing, god she was in her own rubato, too idiosyncratic😂

OG

Betty's 1983 version leaves this for dead.poor sound results in a thinner voice quality ,so disappointing.

So gifted! Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

The amount of full body chills I get every time I listen to this. Best rendition by far to me just truly beautiful

Her voice is so beautiful and moving...such power and so emotional but at the same time it can be sweet and have an ephemeral quality...and look at that total immersion in the character! Ms. Buckley is tremendously underrated!

A true legend and great star of Broadway

Wonderful! Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

This is why she because known as the voice of Broadway

Absolute Treasure! Thsnk you! Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

Wonderful! Heart and soul! Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

Betty Buckley hsd a tremendous voice, but sang emotionlessly and was an awful actress.

I saw this show. She is my favorite Grazella too.

I Loved her as Abby on "Eight Is Enough"!!!

Too good an actress and a singer for such a mediocre song. It's fundamentally ill-conceived to have an actress song for five minutes when her point is “I don't need words”.

I saw this several times in London (also with Patti) with Betty and then Elaine. And also Glenn in New York. They were all breath taking in different ways. But Betty is by far my favourite Norma. Betty was sexy, classy and very elegant, before Norma went completely mad. She captures the sex appeal of silent stars in the 'I'll ignite a blaze' near the end of this song. I remember it so well. Thank you so much for this clip. It brings back many wonderful memories. I feel very fortunate to have seen Betty and the other actresses live.

She has said that her "assignment" in Cats was to stop the show. Here, she stopped the show. Incredible.🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

As they say this was a musical experience

Amazing voice and performance.

Shouldn't this video be silent, with respect to what the lyrics are saying? I like it though.

Articulated perfectly and beautifully! Thank you Betty Buckley! ♥️Xxxooo

So much heart! Thsnk you Betty Buckley ♥️Xxxooo