by Nathan Southern
synopsis
Though perhaps best known to younger generations for his 10-year (1981-91) portrayal of wealthy rancher Clayton Farlow on CBS's prime-time blockbuster soap Dallas, Howard Keel of course began his career as a matinee idol in Hollywood musicals such as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Calamity Jane and Kiss Me, Kate. This compilation travels back to Keel's song-and-dance days, with a series of vintage performances that originally aired on the Bell Telephone Hour program between 1959 and 1966. Keel's duettists include Ann Blyth, Martha Wright and Sally Ann Howes.