Another VIDEO CHEESE review:
LIBERACE, CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, 1954
"The most flamboyant entertainer of the 50's celebrates the Christmas season."
Okay, just sticking to how he was viewed in the 1950's, Liberace was something of an odd duck. His sighing voice, curly
hair, and constant grin made him a perfect subject of parody. His show, live or on television, was peculiar, too. Constantly
winking to the audience as he effortlessly banged out lovely
compositions, his brother George who
silently stood over him providing violin back-up, his constant formal
wear and always visible candelabra, all were easy targets, and were
spoofed by everyone from Jack Benny to Bugs Bunny.
When all is said and done, though, Liberace was a great entertainer, and possessed remarkable talent.
Going into this special episode of his 1950's television show, I wasn't really expecting to be all THAT impressed. Not to say I was selling Liberace short on talent, absolutely not. I mean, he couldn't have become the phenomenon he did if he didn't possess the chops. However, I had seen the comical recitals of Victor Borge and the breathtaking exhibition playing of Chico Marx. I wasn't really sure Liberace had a chance of making much of an impression after what I'd seen.
Going into this special episode of his 1950's television show, I wasn't really expecting to be all THAT impressed. Not to say I was selling Liberace short on talent, absolutely not. I mean, he couldn't have become the phenomenon he did if he didn't possess the chops. However, I had seen the comical recitals of Victor Borge and the breathtaking exhibition playing of Chico Marx. I wasn't really sure Liberace had a chance of making much of an impression after what I'd seen.
But talent will tell, and Liberace was loaded with talent. At one point
he detoured from "White Christmas" and into "Silent Night." It was one
of the most beautiful renditions I've ever heard.
One thing I didn't expect was that Liberace
was filmed, rather than Kinescoped. Given the show mostly consists of
Liberace sitting at a piano and tickling the ivories, and his occasional
turns to the camera to say what he'll play next, I would have expected
it to be a live show. But no, being filmed allows for some camera tricks
and dissolves which will offer added effect during the show. And all in all, it was a good show. It put me right into the
Christmas spirit!
We open with what I assume is the standard Liberace opening. Liberace is sitting at his piano and playing away in silhouette.
In the upper right of the screen appears Liberace's signature, which
grows and moves to the center of the screen. There's a reason I print
everything when I write. Liberace's signature looks like "Silver Ace"
and could be a
product name! (Unfortunately, although this tape is taken from an
actual film print, said print is minus the sponsor tags, so I can't tell
you who presented the show.) We then bring up the lights and move in on
our star as he finishes his theme music.
Liberace then speaks to us a bit, explaining Christmas is upon us and
he's very grateful that we're sharing a bit of the season with him. He
then notes how different Christmas in Hollywood is from the Christmases
he enjoyed growing up back east. To set everyone in the right mood, he
conjures a little magic with his piano and opens the drapes to reveal a
backdrop of a snowy New England town. A few more keys and snow begins
falling. A little more music and a tree materializes in the living room,
complete with all the trimmings. Yes, it's corny. But you know what,
it's pretty charming
too.
Liberace starts the show in earnest with a medley about Santa Claus for the kiddies to enjoy. He then tells us of how he misses the sleigh rides he used to take a child and launches into some peppy sleigh
tunes. Everything is here. The wink, the grin, the seemingly effortless
piano playing. He sings a time or two as well. Much like Jim
Neighbors, Liberace belts forth with much more manly pipes than his
speaking voice would indicate. He impressed me more and more as the show
continued. I guess I missed this side of him on The Jack
Benny Program!
The big moment of the show comes when Lee goes to the door and welcomes in his large family and the the crew of the series. He greets every single one with a seemingly sincere "Merry Christmas!" Capping the occasion is the arrival of Santa Claus himself. This is a pretty special moment as Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas, since it's actually George beneath that beard. George never spoke on television, you see, and Liberace makes mention of this. It may not be Clarabell the Clown saying goodbye to all the kiddies, but it's still pretty neat!
A round of "Jingle Bells" from our happy group, and an invite for the folks at home to join in on the second chorus and we end the show in a classic Christmas moment. All in all, a pretty simple show. I liked it.
In 1959, Liberace sued the British Daily Mirror when the editorial slandered him. They implied that he was a homosexual. Liberace denied this in court, going so far as to call homosexuality an "abomination" in his defense*. He won the case. Although rumors and jokes about Liberace riding side-saddle would continue for the rest of his career, his sexual persuasion wasn't confirmed until after his death in the mid 1980's. Frankly, I don't have all that facts. It may just be that he never married. Let's face it, you check into this world with a voice like that and people are going to talk. (Nor would Liberace be the first performer to be 'confirmed' homosexual after their death. It's a pretty common practice for The Cause.)
(*Wording actually used in the Bible, I note. There seems to be enough evidence that Liberace was a deeply spiritual man to cast some doubt on his alleged proclivities.)
At any rate, I wish you all a very joyous and Merry Christmas!
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