RARE 1961 Oldsmobile industrial musical w/Florence Henderson - COLE PORTER songs
$
54
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Description
If you've seen "Bathtubs Over Broadway" or read "Everything's Coming Up Profits," you know that private pressing "industrial musical" souvenir albums are some of the rarest and weirdest records in existence. These motivational musicals were only for dealers, salesmen, distributors and other industry insiders at sales meetings and conventions, and the souvenir vinyl records were not available to the public. And many of these shows boasted outstanding music and performances along with the bizarre corporate subject matter.
Here's a scarce example from Oldsmobile, one of the pioneers of the genre. By the mid-50's Oldsmobile changed the game when it came to announcement show extravaganzas, commissioning full musicals. Other companies rushed to catch up. But for many years Olds remained the industry standard with regard to the quality of these secret shows.
In late summer of 1960 Oldsmobile introduced the '61 lineup to dealers and salesmen with "Olds For '61 -- You're The Top," a show based on several Cole Porter songs. Oldsmobile was unusual in that they actually asked for and received permission to reuse and adapt the Cole Porter material -- most industrial shows that didn't have original material just stole and hoped for the best.
A pre-Brady Bunch Florence Henderson leads the cast, and the record contains several Cole Porter classics such as "You're The Top," "Blow Gabriel Blow," "I Get A Kick Out of You," and "Night and Day," plus some very Olds-specific numbers such as "Please Don't Sing It" (about the new Hydramatic transmission with Accelerotor) and "Beauty Queen Medley" (about the luxurious 98). All with full orchestra -- these productions were high dollar shows that, according to the late Florence Henderson, rivaled any real Broadway show. Other notable personnel include choreographer Hugh Lambert, production supervisor Carol Haney, and arranger Luther Henderson (no relation to Florence).
The record is in lovely shape, with only the most minor marks, and it's in an apparently original blank white cover. (All '59 - '60 - '61 Oldsmobile dealer show records have these blank covers, I can state with confidence.) This cover has some seam splits. Someone wrote "'61 Oldsmobile" in one corner (see photo).
A wonderful piece of memorabilia for Oldsmobile enthusiasts, especially anyone who has a '61, as well as musical theater fans interested in this arcane sub-genre. And if you're getting into the growing collecting field of industrial musical collecting, this is a fine example of a deliciously strange and secret slice of American history.
Media mail shipping is $6. I will ship in a sturdy record mailer.
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