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This play's plot was inspired by publicity hunting actress Diana Dors appearing in a mink bikini at the Venice Film Festival and being thrown into a canal. The cameras that just happened to be there caught the scene before she entered the water, one of the greatest publicity shots ever of the 1950s. "Grab Me a Gondola" was billed as a new musical comedy and opened in late 1956. It ran for 687 performances at London's Lyric Theatre, more successful than many of the new crop of Broadway transfers. Joan Heal, a comic actress with a belting voice, was a recognized star of revue. Her co-star was Denis Quilley, a young veteran of musicals but not yet a star; this brought him that status. Other artists to go on to greater fame were Joyce Blair ("Marcia") and Una Stubbs, one of the other starlets. This recording was made in newly developed stereo, but was only released in mono on vinyl. Hence, this is the first stereo release ever.