the audience can't get enough.

♪ ♪ >>

>> [ applause ] >> what's up? a show, that's world famous you know. laughs and jokes, seems like

six million folks, with your friends you come again and again. that's entertainment. no we've been feeling sad and forlorned, you can toot in our horn. it because long before i was born. that's entertainment. the show keeps you hopping, you never be bored. they still talk about our opening at the academy awards. and disney would not let that show be ignored, but we still being, he said it was my

greatest ever. here is to the audience who has been through it all. you might recall. he would sit front and center, he was... mentor. today, we are living, and we are dressed in steve silver's designs. we show if and when you decide.

[ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the mayor of san francisco the honorable ed lee. [ applause ] i was rummaging in willie brown's closet the other day, hello everybody, welcome to city hall, the people's palace.

thank you beach babylon. well who would have is known? june 7, 1974, 40 years ago, when steve silver created this wonderful show, that 40 years later we would have such a long lasting wonderful beautiful icon for san francisco. and it was not just a show about the history of this city, it is now over 40 years become part of our city history. that is the gift that was given to us. and i want to say thank you and i appreciate all of you for coming out today, we are going to have a wonderful time in this beautiful palace of ours. you know i can't sing, like other mayors, i can't dance, i can't act, you tried to see me do that at the question and

answer period, with the board of supervisors. but at least i could be with you and look like i belong to the club for an hour. well, when steve silver brought this wonderful show to the city, and as it has grown and grown every year, it has become part of the way that we live our city. it has evolved and you remember those times when queen elizabeth visited and prince charles and we had a show for them and every time we celebrated the giant's world series victory or the 49ers victories in the 80s and 90s beach blanket babylon was right there celebrating with us. [ applause ] that is part of our history. but also, you should know this,

steve silver was much more than just a great showman. he was a class act because he was one of the best philantropist the city has seen, and through the leadership he donated back to help the families out throughout the city he did it the san francisco way and he did it because he loved the city of saint francis. the help, to the medical areas, the education, the music, the arts and the charity were all and have continued to be part of this great beach blanket babylon. so i want to say congratulations to everyone, to joe, silver thank you for keeping that spirit. yes, that spirit up. [ applause ] you are such an embodiment of not only a great show, but to

do it the san francisco way, to share and to make this city the city for the 100 percent. congratulations, enjoy the celebration, and happy 40th to beach blanket babylon. ♪ >> now the story line of beach blanket babylon, is about a young girl looking for her prince. and her name is snow white. >> ♪ i'm wishing for the one i love. to find me today. some day my prince will come,

some day i'll find true love. and the birds will sing in wedding bells will ring some day when my dreams... some day when my dreams... some day when my dreams come true. as the great entertainer, tommy tool once said, there were three great showman of the 20th

century, pt barnan, floren big bell and steve silver. not only was steve the creator of the world's longest running musical review. but he also presented some of the most wonderful theatrical events, in 1983 he presented a show for the queen of england and prince phillip at the symphony hall. one of steve silver's dream was to take the show to london england and in 1997, beach blanket babylon went to london and received rave reviews as part of the garden musical festival. ♪

>> in 1988, steve took his show to las vegas for a successful run at the famous sands hotel. >> even local celebrities wanted to be a part of steve

silver's magic. why, as a matter of fact one of his original first appeared at the elegant celebration of christmas in 1978. she is none other than the president of the fine arts museums of san francisco, the fabulous deedee welsy. ♪ >>

>> hello snow. are you still having so much trouble finding your prince? have you actually considered all of these darling little dwarfs? what about those two gorgeous guys i just came down the stairs with? no? >> no. >> well, i am glenda the good, and i want everyone in my kingdom to be happy. and so i am going to wave my magic wand, and i know you will be able to find your prince.

and when i find him, would you ask him to send my prince home too? >> also, one of beach blanket babylon greatest supporters, as well as the most magnetic, charming, and dashing men in san francisco, he is the man, he is the honorable willie l. brown. ♪

>> you know, snow white, oh, my gosh, beach blanket babylon, 40 years, 40 long years. steve silver really had something in mind, some people predicted no more than two or three performances. beach blanket babylon has become as important in entertainment to be a place

where people can do whatever they want to do and say whatever they want to say, and those of us in the world of politics, think that we have died and gone to heaven to be part of beach blanket babylon, and i have been part of beach blanket babylon forever. as a matter of fact that what you had here, lee, has not been a part of beach blanket babylon at all. and just think, without term limits, there would be no questions i would be at home. welcome to the 40th anniversary of beach blanket babylon. [ applause ] >> we are so excited to be here with you today, celebrating

beach blanket babylon40th year. why i am so excited i feel as if i could fly.

thank you superman. superman, the s stands for... where is my wonder woman? where is she? 40 years. this show has been going on for 40 years. that is really amazing. there is nothing ever been anything like it. but you were here 40 years ago when it started weren't you? >> i was a child. >> yes, steve silver we were the best of buddies and steve

called and said, we have a show, and it is going to run two weeks and how do i get the press there and how do i get the people there? and i said we will have a party. and can you imagine having a party. and so... >> it is a party. >> yes, out of line and the boy, and stand on the floor. i mean, it was a zoo. so any way, after that, every year we have had an anniversary and this year, can you believe it? it is the 40th anniversary, now, mr., what is his name, yeah, if you are really the super george shultz then you must have something to say. >> i have something better than something to say. i have a song i have made up,

for beach blanket babylon. and it is a little bit, if you call what i do singing. but i will give it a try, okay? ♪

>> now we have 40 years of silver show that has no peers, we can surely celebrate what genius steve did once create. away, away with care, see them there with a musical flare. acting as if they are floating on air, steve, silver beach blanket babylon. [ applause ] >> hey, joe, if you get a part in beach blanket? oh, i would be the agent and we will discuss it.

now, snow, yes, snow, now, look, my part is flying, why were you up there >> i am so sorry. >> you can call me charlotte. okay, i want to tell you that this is the 40th anniversary, wonder woman and so i am going to, and i am giving you notice, i am going to fly on the 45th, the 50th, the 55th, the 60th, and here to be carrying my train. so, one last thing, snow, you had to travel all over the world to find a prince, i found one in my backyard. >> and now the maestro, michael thomas will come and lead us in san francisco.

♪ >> our wonderful beach blanket like san francisco, you are

irresistible and congratulations and join me while we sing our national, anthem our hit song, our song that unites us all, will you welcome please, miss san francisco? >> it only takes a tiny quarter of this great big world to find

a place that you love. my home upon the hill i find i love you still. i have been away but now i'm back to tell you... san francisco...

♪

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