Max Liebman Presents: Naughty Marietta

Let us assume that television became a popular home medium in 1950. It became affordable at that time. This 1955 B/W version of Victor Herberts music with book and lyrics by Rida Johnson Young comes off well and points the way to what television here in the 21st century could have been. Less a vehicle for total commercialism and more for art. This 75 minute kinoscope is a delight. Max Liebman, producer of many early NBC extravaganzas gave us this gem. Starring Patrice Munsel and Alfred Drake, it comes off well compared to Hollywoods 1935 MacDonald/Eddy version. Just sit back and watch it for what it was intended: pure enjoyment.

This TV adaption of the operetta Naughty Marietta stays truer to the original version than the 1935 Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy version. However, it does not have the same magic and romance that the other film possess. I would not suggest watching this film unless you are an operetta/musical fan. But as a fan, this video allows us not only to see the original story of Naughty Marietta, but also lets us see the first TV starring role of Alfred Drake (He starred in Oklahoma, Kismet, Kiss Me Kate on Broadway).

The film contains the beautiful music of Victor Herbert, and has multiple entertaining dance numbers intertwined within the story. As a huge operetta fan, it was a joy to watch.