This is a case of going with what you've got. Many of Broadway's greatest divas are represented here, including
Ethel Merman,
Mary Martin,
Julie Andrews,
Liza Minnelli, and
Barbara Cook. But they are not necessarily heard in their most memorable performances because, for example, RCA Victor has rights only to
Julie Andrews' appearance in the recent Putting It Together rather than one of her earlier triumphs. And a few great ones, such as
Carol Channing, are missing entirely. There's nothing wrong with what's here, of course, but as an anthology of Broadway's leading ladies,
Beautiful Girls doesn't show its women to their best advantage.