It was February 24, 1957, when Abbe Lane and Xavier Cugat performed “Too Marvelous for Words” on The Ed Sullivan Show. This memorable performance by two of the finest entertainers in their craft had viewers across America captivated.
Abbe Lane was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on December 14, 1932. She began her career in the 1950s with television variety programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Mike Douglas Show, up until the 1970s when she played guest roles in popular shows like Hart to Hart and Vega$. Her acting credits include Naked City, The Flying Nun, and Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983).
In the magnificent video below, Abbe appears alongside renowned Latin musical artist (and her future husband) Xavier Cugat. An incredible partner act captured the hearts of all audiences during their six-minute performance titled “Too Marvelous For Words.”
It was truly a treat for both eyes and ears! It’s no wonder Abbe’s beauty, matched with her sultry voice, earned her such an enormous fan base throughout these years. Not to mention how gracefully she moved across the stage while wearing 4-inch heels!
The song they performed dates back to 1949 when it debuted in Warner Bros.’ movie “John Loves Mary” starring Ronald Reagan and Patricia Neal. Upbeat lyrics combined with unbelievable choreography made this performance indeed something special! It was no surprise that it scored 8th place on Billboard’s Top 100 Songs chart that year.
During that time, a gallon of milk cost 87 cents, while a gallon of gas went for 18 cents. Bread was priced around 19 cents per loaf — definitely prices you don’t see very often these days.
While seemingly innocent to modern eyes, Abbe Lane’s performance was almost too racy for 1957 television. She masterfully executed her flamenco-like dance moves with the poise and grace of a contemporary dancer, showing that she was ahead of her time in terms of style and skill. Even today, Abbe Lane’s performance stays timeless as an example of classic entertainment at its finest.
While many words come to mind regarding this fantastic display by both artists, none do it justice quite like the emotion felt from watching it yourself – so be sure to check out this iconic performance from one of history’s most talented duos! Share it with your friends or family today for some nostalgia of simpler times gone by but never forgotten!
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