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Ethel Merman
A biography equal to the outsized personality of one of Broadway’s best-loved stars
From her breakout rendition of George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” in 1930 to her triumphant performance as Gypsy’s Mama Rose in 1959, Ethel Merman defined Broadway stardom for two generations of music lovers. Merman’s singing voice—brassy, penetrating, and undeniably American—has transcended genre and era to become a cultural icon. As an entertainer she burned with unstoppable energy. Offstage she was the original diva, a woman who knew what she wanted and brooked no interference. Her spats and frequently off-color zingers have become part of theater lore.
In this entertaining and authoritative biography, Brian Kellow traces Merman’s life from her childhood in Queens, New York, through her three decades at the peak of Broadway celebrity. In an era dominated by outsized personalities and egos, none was more vibrant and powerful than Merman’s, yet beneath the tough-dame image was an enormously vulnerable and often lonely woman. Kellow’s book, which includes recollections from more than 120 of Merman’s friends, colleagues, and family members, stands as the definitive biography and an affectionate portrait of an unforgettable star. Fans of Broadway history and of the great Ethel Merman will find Kellow’s biography an irresistible read.
From her breakout rendition of George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” in 1930 to her triumphant performance as Gypsy’s Mama Rose in 1959, Ethel Merman defined Broadway stardom for two generations of music lovers. Merman’s singing voice—brassy, penetrating, and undeniably American—has transcended genre and era to become a cultural icon. As an entertainer she burned with unstoppable energy. Offstage she was the original diva, a woman who knew what she wanted and brooked no interference. Her spats and frequently off-color zingers have become part of theater lore.
In this entertaining and authoritative biography, Brian Kellow traces Merman’s life from her childhood in Queens, New York, through her three decades at the peak of Broadway celebrity. In an era dominated by outsized personalities and egos, none was more vibrant and powerful than Merman’s, yet beneath the tough-dame image was an enormously vulnerable and often lonely woman. Kellow’s book, which includes recollections from more than 120 of Merman’s friends, colleagues, and family members, stands as the definitive biography and an affectionate portrait of an unforgettable star. Fans of Broadway history and of the great Ethel Merman will find Kellow’s biography an irresistible read.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 15, 2014
I am a gay man who happens to be a die-hard "show queen" so it comes as no surprise that I gobbled this great book up in less than a week! Ethel Merman to me has always been the "diva par excellence" against whom all other divas MUST be measured. I have seen revivals of three of her best-known works - Annie Get Your Gun, Call Me Madam, and Gypsy, respectively and I always thought to myself "my God what would it have been like to see Ethel actually do this role live?"
Ethel Merman, as the author points out in the closing paragraphs of the story, was a Broadway institution and legend albeit one that we as theatergoers shall never be lucky enough to see the likes of again. Myself, being not only an avid theatergoer but also somewhat of an American Historian, yearns for the days of that innocence and placidity when "the Merm" strode across the boards of either the Alvin or the Imperial Theaters in New York City belting out either a Cole Porter or Irving Berlin tune. However, not only did I find this book to be a very in-depth study of Merman's ENTIRE career (she originally started out as a stenographer) but also a generous helping and a glorious look back upon what we as Americans have lost in terms of that sole American art form, the Musical Comedy, throughout the years. Ethel Merman was around before chandeliers and barricades were the status quo of the Great White Way. She was a star when a star actually had to act as well as sing in order to carry an entire show.
In closing, the whole life story is here from George Gershwin actually asking Merman, "If there's anything you don't like in the song Miss Merman, I'd be happy to change it for you," to the ill-fated marriage to Ernest Borgnine (which in her memoirs only rated one blank page). This was a woman who was very family-oriented but at the same time was a driven, exacting task-master when she was upon the stage, at times openly berating her co-stars for not "pulling their weight." In closing, I cannot say that this book (like its subject matter) will appeal to everyone in the general reading public, but I found it to be a great, fast and easy read. I think it will be the definitive biography for years to come on the woman who will always be known to me as "the Queen of Broadway." Brava, Ethel, Brava!!!
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2007.
Ethel Merman, as the author points out in the closing paragraphs of the story, was a Broadway institution and legend albeit one that we as theatergoers shall never be lucky enough to see the likes of again. Myself, being not only an avid theatergoer but also somewhat of an American Historian, yearns for the days of that innocence and placidity when "the Merm" strode across the boards of either the Alvin or the Imperial Theaters in New York City belting out either a Cole Porter or Irving Berlin tune. However, not only did I find this book to be a very in-depth study of Merman's ENTIRE career (she originally started out as a stenographer) but also a generous helping and a glorious look back upon what we as Americans have lost in terms of that sole American art form, the Musical Comedy, throughout the years. Ethel Merman was around before chandeliers and barricades were the status quo of the Great White Way. She was a star when a star actually had to act as well as sing in order to carry an entire show.
In closing, the whole life story is here from George Gershwin actually asking Merman, "If there's anything you don't like in the song Miss Merman, I'd be happy to change it for you," to the ill-fated marriage to Ernest Borgnine (which in her memoirs only rated one blank page). This was a woman who was very family-oriented but at the same time was a driven, exacting task-master when she was upon the stage, at times openly berating her co-stars for not "pulling their weight." In closing, I cannot say that this book (like its subject matter) will appeal to everyone in the general reading public, but I found it to be a great, fast and easy read. I think it will be the definitive biography for years to come on the woman who will always be known to me as "the Queen of Broadway." Brava, Ethel, Brava!!!
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2007.
September 7, 2018
“There’s no business like show business,” Ethel Merman sang in one of her signature songs. Brian Kellow’s juicy, compelling, and moving biography of the legendary Broadway star will have you humming along and agreeing with this sentiment.
At the peak of her popularity, any musical Ethel Merman starred in was an event. Adoring audiences flocked to hear her belt out the latest Cole Porter or George Gershwin number. She left an indelible stamp on classic musicals such as Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and Gypsy. She won a Tony for her role in Call Me Madam. Top-shelf composers trusted her critical instincts with the material she was assigned to sing. And when she was in a show destined to be a flop, she knew it—and still gave it her all.
Kellow recounts Merman’s upbringing in Queens, her rise to fame on Broadway, and her continued success from the 1930s to the 1970s. In doing so, he not only charts the rise and decline of a great performer, but he also portrays how the Broadway industry changed during her time. The star of many “gals and gags” musical comedies in the 1930s, Merman struggled to adjust to a Broadway landscape that demanded more topic-driven musicals such as South Pacific. She also struggled to achieve Hollywood stardom that, in spite of her determination and Broadway credentials, proved elusive to her.
Kellow’s analysis of Merman as a person is incredibly even-handed. He clearly adores her performing skills and her generosity with young performers, and provides several examples where Merman was incredibly kind toward her fellow actors. But he doesn’t shy away from her ill-advised romantic decisions (four failed marriages), her tunnel-vision when it came to performing (actors often complained that she wouldn’t look at them onstage), and her tactic of cutting people out of her life when she perceived them either slighting or manipulating her (which she did with a single phrase: “Fing!”). In interviewing people who knew Merman, Kellow allows them to both fawn over and be critical of Ethel. And while Merman isn’t always the most “likable” subject, it’s difficult not to feel for her when she confronts unbearable tragedy later in life. All of this creates a multi-layered, balanced, and deeply human portrayal of a Broadway legend.
Even readers who are not already fans of Ethel Merman will be fascinated by Kellow’s dissection of how the Broadway industry changed during her time, from the types of shows getting produced to methods of executing business. For many, Ethel Merman defined Broadway. For others, her vocals were too brassy and brash to listen to for very long. Kellow allows for both perspectives, making for an entertaining biography.
At the peak of her popularity, any musical Ethel Merman starred in was an event. Adoring audiences flocked to hear her belt out the latest Cole Porter or George Gershwin number. She left an indelible stamp on classic musicals such as Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, and Gypsy. She won a Tony for her role in Call Me Madam. Top-shelf composers trusted her critical instincts with the material she was assigned to sing. And when she was in a show destined to be a flop, she knew it—and still gave it her all.
Kellow recounts Merman’s upbringing in Queens, her rise to fame on Broadway, and her continued success from the 1930s to the 1970s. In doing so, he not only charts the rise and decline of a great performer, but he also portrays how the Broadway industry changed during her time. The star of many “gals and gags” musical comedies in the 1930s, Merman struggled to adjust to a Broadway landscape that demanded more topic-driven musicals such as South Pacific. She also struggled to achieve Hollywood stardom that, in spite of her determination and Broadway credentials, proved elusive to her.
Kellow’s analysis of Merman as a person is incredibly even-handed. He clearly adores her performing skills and her generosity with young performers, and provides several examples where Merman was incredibly kind toward her fellow actors. But he doesn’t shy away from her ill-advised romantic decisions (four failed marriages), her tunnel-vision when it came to performing (actors often complained that she wouldn’t look at them onstage), and her tactic of cutting people out of her life when she perceived them either slighting or manipulating her (which she did with a single phrase: “Fing!”). In interviewing people who knew Merman, Kellow allows them to both fawn over and be critical of Ethel. And while Merman isn’t always the most “likable” subject, it’s difficult not to feel for her when she confronts unbearable tragedy later in life. All of this creates a multi-layered, balanced, and deeply human portrayal of a Broadway legend.
Even readers who are not already fans of Ethel Merman will be fascinated by Kellow’s dissection of how the Broadway industry changed during her time, from the types of shows getting produced to methods of executing business. For many, Ethel Merman defined Broadway. For others, her vocals were too brassy and brash to listen to for very long. Kellow allows for both perspectives, making for an entertaining biography.
July 14, 2010
A wonderful read for anyone who likes Broadway, showbiz and biography! As a child growing I went to the used record store in 6th grade and bought the original Broadway cast album of GYPSY, and from that moment on I was hooked on Merman and used to imagine what this woman with the big brassy voice was really like. Brian Kellow has written an honest portrait of a Broadway diva unlike any other. Though, seemingly angry - she was a broken woman because of the pain she suffered throughout her life. Using her career as a mask for what was ultimately unhappiness, she gave theatregoers a wonderful onstage persona. This book makes you wish for someone like Ethel Merman on the great white way today.
February 7, 2011
Reading this biography was like taking a course in the history of the American musical theater (pre-Sondheim). For me, Merman was always this brassy voice my father and I tried to imitate (duelling Ethel Mermans at the dinner table is probably not a part of most people's childhoods). Although a bit gushy as times, Kellow does an admirable of job of presenting a balanced portrait of a woman who all but embodied New York City and Broadway from early days into the 1950s. By the time I finished the books, I realized that I would trade Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Weber and cast of every production of Rent ever to have Cole, Irving and a Gershwin or two back again.
August 28, 2024
Dry, dull and very basic outline of the life and career of Ethel Merman. The author spends way too much time on her early stage career, that most of us will have never seen, and then totally skips the film and TV projects many of us know her for. I was shocked that her television appearances warranted only a sentence here or there, and her more modern movies only get a few paragraphs. Meanwhile he slogs through her early years so that by the halfway point in the book we're only at the 1940s and not even to her to biggest Broadway hits.
His approach to her private life is disappointing as well. Not only is it filled with conjecture and his personal opinions about what "might" have happened, but he makes bombshell statements without any follow-up. In one sentence he alludes to a possible abortion while Ethel dated a married man. There are a couple of other times when Merman seems to have no problem stealing guys already committed to others but how could she get away with such public affairs? The author implies in one situation that she is a bigamist, getting a Mexican divorce that wasn't legal in America then marrying her next husband quickly. Then she and one husband fight on their first night of their honeymoon and the next day the marriage is over? She gets married to Ernest Borgnine and that honeymoon is done after one night when he supposedly physically abused her (no proof, just conjecture). Where is the explanation behind any of these exploitive situations?
From a writing standpoint this is more like a college term paper than providing depth of character. The index in the back misses a lot of the things that are mentioned in the book and skips some of the shows she did. And the author mostly pulls from other sources (with 20 pages of endnotes), including quotes from Merman's own autobiography. I should have just read that.
His approach to her private life is disappointing as well. Not only is it filled with conjecture and his personal opinions about what "might" have happened, but he makes bombshell statements without any follow-up. In one sentence he alludes to a possible abortion while Ethel dated a married man. There are a couple of other times when Merman seems to have no problem stealing guys already committed to others but how could she get away with such public affairs? The author implies in one situation that she is a bigamist, getting a Mexican divorce that wasn't legal in America then marrying her next husband quickly. Then she and one husband fight on their first night of their honeymoon and the next day the marriage is over? She gets married to Ernest Borgnine and that honeymoon is done after one night when he supposedly physically abused her (no proof, just conjecture). Where is the explanation behind any of these exploitive situations?
From a writing standpoint this is more like a college term paper than providing depth of character. The index in the back misses a lot of the things that are mentioned in the book and skips some of the shows she did. And the author mostly pulls from other sources (with 20 pages of endnotes), including quotes from Merman's own autobiography. I should have just read that.
May 19, 2019
A thorough show business biography (the author dispenses with Merman's childhood and school years by page seven) of the Broadway legend, Kellow clearly tracks her stage career and writes excellently about Merman's skill and technique as a vocalist. He tells some of the many, many anecdotes of the star's bad behavior, but he always gives Merman the benefit of the doubt - when she has someone fired or flies into a rage it's always because she was hurt, or defensive, or too professional, and Kellow also has a hard time with Merman's bigotry, writing statements full of qualifiers like "there is no persuasive evidence that she harbored any significant degree of anti-Semitism" (4) or "Ethel outwardly indicated no significant degree of homophobia" (230) - something disputed by, well, the rest of the book. It's a thorough and detailed look at her career, but a bit of a hagiography of a monstrously difficult diva.
March 5, 2025
ETHEL MERMAN is a sympathetic biography of a singular talent who also possessed a less than stellar diva personality.
This eminently readable book would go well with a soundtrack of Merman’s best performances, so as to remind readers of her charms even as they read about one clumsy, cloddish dustup after another.
This eminently readable book would go well with a soundtrack of Merman’s best performances, so as to remind readers of her charms even as they read about one clumsy, cloddish dustup after another.
September 15, 2018
This seemed more to me like a character study of the Broadway star, who had her challenges, with some biographical details included. There's no doubt Kellow admired Merman, though, and his book spreads a warm amber glow across her stage while hitting her with a glaring spotlight now and again.
August 12, 2024
Kellow does a good job showing us Ethel Merman the person as well as the performer. I feel like I liked her more after having read this than I did when I read her 1978 autobiography, even though she still comes across as not all that great a person.
October 26, 2022
More about Merman please. Less with the synopsis of each and every play she performed in. Filler for lack of substance on her personal life. Still an overall good read. I give it a B+.
May 24, 2024
Very well written. The author seems rather sympathetic to her, despite all of the stories he tells about how difficult she was.
June 1, 2012
I was just faintly familiar with Merman,knowing that she had some great success in the musical theatre ages ago but didn't know much about her.
Author Brian Kellow did some great research and explained circumstances in which Merman grew up,why she became who she became and how important it is to understand she was product of particular time & place,for example that she continued the line of classic musical theatre performers who burned on the stage but could not cross over to the movies (where big gestures did not work) and the flame of their professional genius burned people close to them in private lives. Kellow is intelligent enough not to shy away from Merman's less desirable character qualities but also tries to explain and portrait her as a human being. It would have been too easy to simply describe Merman as a theatre goddess and leave it at that,but Kellow shows hard-working woman faithful to her inner circle and suspicious towards the rest of the world,full of humor and passion for theatre. Curiously enough,she knew instinctively what works best on the stage but made fatal judgements towards husbands and often with disastrous results. Never a big thinker or too intellectual (Stephen Sondheim describes her working technique as a "talking dog" who simply learned her lines and belted them out) she apparently was a child deep inside and singer Margaret Whiting said "One look at that Christmas Three she kept on the hall table, and I knew exactly who she was". The book inspired me to listen some original cast albums with Merman (she played many important roles in what now are known as Broadway classics) and to check out her turn in "The Muppet Show" where she was elderly but still adorable,she truly was happy as a child surrounded with Muppets.
Author Brian Kellow did some great research and explained circumstances in which Merman grew up,why she became who she became and how important it is to understand she was product of particular time & place,for example that she continued the line of classic musical theatre performers who burned on the stage but could not cross over to the movies (where big gestures did not work) and the flame of their professional genius burned people close to them in private lives. Kellow is intelligent enough not to shy away from Merman's less desirable character qualities but also tries to explain and portrait her as a human being. It would have been too easy to simply describe Merman as a theatre goddess and leave it at that,but Kellow shows hard-working woman faithful to her inner circle and suspicious towards the rest of the world,full of humor and passion for theatre. Curiously enough,she knew instinctively what works best on the stage but made fatal judgements towards husbands and often with disastrous results. Never a big thinker or too intellectual (Stephen Sondheim describes her working technique as a "talking dog" who simply learned her lines and belted them out) she apparently was a child deep inside and singer Margaret Whiting said "One look at that Christmas Three she kept on the hall table, and I knew exactly who she was". The book inspired me to listen some original cast albums with Merman (she played many important roles in what now are known as Broadway classics) and to check out her turn in "The Muppet Show" where she was elderly but still adorable,she truly was happy as a child surrounded with Muppets.
August 29, 2015
With dueling Merman biographies being released just prior to her birth centennial in 2008 (the other is Caryl Flinn's "Brass Diva"), Kellow's slimmer tome is the livelier of the two with new interviews with friends, family and co-workers bringing vibrant life and clarity to even familiar anecdotes.
Kellow (The Bennetts: An Acting Family) is less interested in digging for psychological insights and bluntly paints a more temperamental portrait of the Broadway belter, but readers will be swept up in the colorful eyewitness accounts of her stage triumphs (Anything Goes; Call Me Madam; Annie Get Your Gun; Gypsy; Hello, Dolly!) and her less successful attempts to move from stage to screen (There's No Business Like Show Business; It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). With four failed marriages (including a legendarily short one to Ernest Borgnine—she flew back alone from their honeymoon after just two days), a distant relationships with her son and daughter (who died of an accidental overdose in 1967) and volatile personality, there's plenty of diva drama. She found a younger audience with appearances on Love Boat and a show-stopping cameo in Airplane!, but an inoperable brain tumor finally silenced the bombastic singer in 1984.
Testimonies from those who were there during her decline bring an emotional wallop to her final days.
Kellow (The Bennetts: An Acting Family) is less interested in digging for psychological insights and bluntly paints a more temperamental portrait of the Broadway belter, but readers will be swept up in the colorful eyewitness accounts of her stage triumphs (Anything Goes; Call Me Madam; Annie Get Your Gun; Gypsy; Hello, Dolly!) and her less successful attempts to move from stage to screen (There's No Business Like Show Business; It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World). With four failed marriages (including a legendarily short one to Ernest Borgnine—she flew back alone from their honeymoon after just two days), a distant relationships with her son and daughter (who died of an accidental overdose in 1967) and volatile personality, there's plenty of diva drama. She found a younger audience with appearances on Love Boat and a show-stopping cameo in Airplane!, but an inoperable brain tumor finally silenced the bombastic singer in 1984.
Testimonies from those who were there during her decline bring an emotional wallop to her final days.
November 13, 2009
Until I read this book, I had a somewhat rosy view of the old days in terms of Hollywood and Broadway. If language bothers you, you would probably do well to pick another book. But if you want to get a real view of all that goes in to putting on a show, and the life of this particular entertainer, give it a look. Just be warned: Ms. Merman had much more than a big voice...she could swear like a sailor and lived large.
December 3, 2009
Breezy and engaging biography of the stage giant, rendered in a conversational style that never fails to be enjoyable. In truth, Merman may not have been the most interesting person - she was all show-biz, all the time, and had few other interests - and to his credit Kellow fills in the personality gaps with rich characterizations of the 20th century theater and the world in which it thrived. Quite a nice book, and well worth reading.
July 24, 2011
Anyone who's interested in Broadway whatsoever needs to read this excellent look at one of musical theatre's legends. The book is written in a friendly and comfortable manner, something that is sometimes lacking in biographies, and is perfect for diehard fans of ""The Merm"" as well as new ones.
May 10, 2015
Good book.
WARNING: NO PHOTOS IN KINDLE VERSION.
The book is enjoyable. I wish I had had a chance to see Ethel Merman in person. Great stories about her life and Broadway.
The lack of photos in the Kindle version is just so frustrating--no warning. That's not right.
WARNING: NO PHOTOS IN KINDLE VERSION.
The book is enjoyable. I wish I had had a chance to see Ethel Merman in person. Great stories about her life and Broadway.
The lack of photos in the Kindle version is just so frustrating--no warning. That's not right.
April 20, 2009
Great, straightforward story of an essentially great, straightforward talent.
March 14, 2009
I love the Merm. there's no way I could not love this so well documented book
February 16, 2009
Fabulous! Miss Merman was a true DIVA in every aspect. It's a must read for every fan!
July 29, 2011
What a gal!
December 25, 2012
Broadway history must-read. Her un-miked voice easily reached the last row of the balcony with a clarity of diction adored by composers and lyricists everywhere.
September 9, 2013
I found it a little dry in parts, took me forever to finish :(
Want to read
July 30, 2019Informative and balanced biography of a legend.
February 22, 2023
Laurents "stressed that Gypsy was really about 'the need for recognition, a need everyone has in one way or another.'" p. 174
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews