It's not just her voice that made this particular performance so beautiful, it was the reason she sang it. She chose this song because she knew that millions of children (myself included) knew her comforting voice from Beauty and the Beast, and that her voice was perhaps capable of soothing their fears because they innately trusted that voice that they knew was a safe place in a world of fantasy and hope. Absolutely beautiful.
I loved that she referred to herself as "JB Fletcher" too. I have heard people say words to the effect of "Wasn't Jessica Fletcher in that?" in reference to movies Angela was in.
In the show most of this song is sung by the character Toby - and while I'm sure I'm they picked the best young male voices for that part, none of the Tobys I've heard sound as good singing it as her.
And don't forget she was also once a witch who got all the Nazis out of England. She is learning during that movie to be a witch, so early on she isn't quite an expert at magic - but maybe that helps the character be less scary, in some ways? Because she's a normal person too?
Angela Lansbury passed away today at the age of 96. A very sad day. Seven decades of wonderful entertainment to the world. I was lucky to see her in the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. Phenomenal show and performance! After the show I wrote to Miss Lansbury and Len C. They were kind enough to send me autographs. The world mourns the loss of Ms Lansbury but cherishes the vast and unparalleled body of work that she left us to enjoy forever. Rest in peace! 🙏♥️
Mr. Cariou was also a recurring character on Murder She Wrote - a secret agent with whom Jessica had a contentious, but also flirtatious, relationship.
Dame Angela was a legend of stage, motion pictures and TV. I LOVE the way she so beautifully sings this jem!! I sing it to my daughter she's 38 mow and her eyes get a wee bit misty when I sing it.
Like everything she has ever sung, this song is also absolutely great! What is truly amazing about this super talented lady is that even later when she was in her 90's , her voice was technically still in excellent form when ever she performed live as we have all seen on TV.🤔🤗💌. She was absolutely the best, greatest and most enduring broadway star of all the many greats!!!🥰♥️
On 11 Oct 2022, a star was cast in heaven. Angela Lansbury has always been a favourite of mine from her Disney roles, classic Hollywood movies and the TV series Murder, She Wrote. She became a true Hollywood great who started out from the UK. Pure class and elegance with such a confident and comfortable persona. RIP, the legacy will live on in the memories of her movies and songs ❤ x x
This is what I really envy Americans for - this unique art of entertainment! We don't have this in Germany - not in the least! These wonderful Broadway Songs sung by the great Angela Lansbury and others! Heartwarming und just beautiful!
Angela was unique and irreplaceable. Her voice both singing and speaking, and this to the distinct and glorious sound of Sondheim and it's magic!! But there are some wonderful singers and entertainers in Germany. There are actually some communities that specify in musical actors working in Germany. Actors and performers like Pia Douwes, Ethan Freeman and Maya Hakvoort. But for some reason the focus these days is on a style that is so much more shouty and pop/rock and musicals like these do not get performed anymore or do not get attention which means actors like these get underused ...😔
Oh how I LOVED Angela Lansbury. She was simply brilliant but in such a natural and beautiful way. I'm sure she was also a beautiful being to be around. I can't imagine her anything but smiling, laughing, loving and being herself. xoxoxo
Wonderful! From Age of Not Believing to Beauty and the Beast and beyond, Angela Lansbury has always been a joy for me. Her singing voice was distinctive and pronunciation was always exact.
It's not my favorite but man i loved it so much as a kid. Nowadays the child in me still laughs when references to "polishin me nob" are mentioned. Sorry to be crude but i still find the innuendo childishly funny.
And that's another Lansbury character who magically saves everyone - in that case, from the Nazis - literally! Somehow that doesn't seem to be as well-remembered. I mean, everyone knows about the movie but somehow she's not associated as much with the character any more - as is said here, children are comforted by her based on knowing her as Mrs. Potts. Well, I guess the people who were kids for Bedknobs were a different generation?
She is so wonderful. I hope I am still singing at her age. Absolutely lovely voice and that dress- she is truly a role model for women and musicians everywhere.
Looking at RU-vid, I have found a lot of clips of theater industry events, mostly from the last 10 years or so, that seem to have been focused mainly on honoring her. And the performers include some big names but also new actors who, I think, she had worked to get opportunities for, like Tom Rhoads (and now I'm thinking she and he should have recorded this one together.)
I met Angela Lansbury after a performance of Sweeney Todd. She knew I was from BYU. She said I’m so glad you came here to see this because I don’t think we’ll get to SLC anytime soon. Well at last she brings a piece of Sweeney to SLC.
Beautiful song sung by a beautiful human being. And what an amazing introduction with that heart-felt speech at the beginning. Wow! Oh how I love Ms. Lansbury. She was 77 then and is still performing 15 years later. Wonderful!
I just Love Angela Lansbury, I know this was like 18 years ago, but even today she can still belt out a tube, although she’s pretty much retired now, Beauty and the Beast came out the year my daughter was born, we watched it together when she was just little, it’s just makes me happy, happy memories and Angela’s voice as Mrs Potts and her singing Beauty and the Beast, I Love that song 🎶
I know Angela passed away October 11, 2022 - but I was curious about the source of your information that she was retired as of two years ago when you posted this? There is an interview with Larry King when she was about 92 or 93 in which he asked her about retiring and she said she didn't have plans to. She was in two or three movies in 2018...but it does seem like she faded away after that.
When my grandmother passed last month I was in such a dark moment of my life, but when this song played I though of my grandmother watching over me singing me this song. It brought me peace. X
I had to watch a "what to do if an active shooter enters your workplace" video today at work. I couldn't help but think of all the kids who have to go through active shooter drills at schools these days. And here Angela is talking about reassuring children that they're safe. How sad.
My little not-quite-2 year old started talking about monsters and being scared recently. I don't really know where she's picked it up, but it's normal. Tonight she saw shadows on the ceiling tonight at bedtime so I sang this song to her and just had to look it up. :) Glad I found this video. Sweeney Todd is one of my favorite musicals and Ms. Lansbury's stage version on DVD is my ULTIMATE favorite. I love what she said about the effect of 9/11 on children. Really touches my heart. Someday when my daughter learns in school about that event I will have to explain to her how her Great Aunt lost 2 of her best friends & coworkers at that time. I hope she can take something to grow with from it rather than something just depressing or scary. Ok listening again.
I saw this concert on PBS about a week ago, the perfect Christmas show. Angela Lansbury, a World Treasure and she can sing too. Totally amazing, Ms. Lansbury you should be making albums.
This song makes me so sad. It’s so sweet here but in Sweeney Todd it just breaks my heart that Mrs Lovett uses this song with harmful intentions. He looked at her as a mother and was fiercely protective of her and she twists it.
Are you referring to Toby? That's who Mrs. Lovett sings the song with (not Todd himself.) Actually, I downloaded the song (because of this performance) and was disappointed to discover it's predominantly Tony singing in the show - much less of Angela singing.
@@jessicalillianweinberg4401 yes. She does sing a small reprise of it towards the end and I hate that she does it. Love Angela but Mrs Lovett was awful to use Toby’s heartfelt song in a malicious way.
@@jessicalillianweinberg4401 correct. But if you have seen the show (and I don’t want to spoil anything if you haven’t) Mrs Lovett sings a small part of the song close to the end.
@@jessicalillianweinberg4401yes. But the music when she sings “nothing’s gonna harm you” near the end with just a violin and minimal other background instruments give you a sense of unease and suspicion that she doesn’t mean what she’s singing
