Cole Porter is my absolute favorite song composer--for the passions displayed in his music, the sophistication, the deep feelings--his music has been emblematic of certain times of my life. And to hear Sinatra or Fitzgerald sing it--the best!

Lovely music from the cast. Thanks!

I went to a Marvelous party sounds like Monty Python meets Eyes Wide shut!

Whilst Noel was the true rennaisance man who rightly received considerable acclaim from his vast array of skills he was lacking Cole Porter's potent weapon that insured him world domination... i.e. Nelson Riddle! It was Riddle's arrangements that catapulted these already phenomenal songs to an entirely new level of universal appeal that transcends generations and geography.

From Coward's lyrics to Porter's song:

Ferrante and Teicher don't do it, they're merely good friends.
Doris Day never does it, she thinks it offends.
...

The Royal Ballet to a man do it. Tinker Bell and Peter Pan do it.
....

Poles do it, Greeks do it, nice young men who sell antiques do it.
Let's do it, let's fall in love.

Can't choose between them - both favorites and incomparable. Few Americans can truly appeciate Coward.

BTW - Coward and Porter surely were fans of one another. That said, I don't know of any direct riffs on Coward by Porter, but Porter's "Let's Do It" has a brilliant lyric Coward wrote to perform himself.

Cole Porter -the clear winner always for outstanding lyrics. Favorite Porter novelty song....below.

THE TALE OF THE OYSTER (Fifty Million Frenchmen, 1929)

Down by the sea lived a lonesome oyster,
Ev'ry day getting sadder and moister.
He found his home life awf'lly wet,
And longed to travel with the upper set.
Poor little oyster.
Fate was kind to that oyster we know,
When one day the chef from the Park Casino
Saw that oyster lying there,
And said "I'll put you on my bill of fare."
Lucky little oyster.
See him on his silver platter,
Watching the queens of fashion chatter.
Hearing the wives of millionaires
Discuss their marriages and their love affairs.
Thrilled little oyster.
See that bivalve social climber
Feeding the rich Mrs. Hoggenheimer,
Think of his joy as he gaily glides
Down to the middle of her gilded insides.
Proud little oyster.
After lunch Mrs. H. complains,
And says to her hostess, "I've got such pains.
I came to town on my yacht today,
But I think I'd better hurray back to Oyster Bay."
Scared little oyster.
Off they go thru the troubled tide,
The yacht rolling madly from side to side.
They're tossed about 'til that fine young oyster
Finds that it's time he should quit his cloister,
Up comes the oyster.
Back once more where he started from,
He murmured, "I haven't a single qualm,
For I've had a taste of society,
And society has had a taste of me."
Wise little oyster.

On balance, Cole over Noel. Cole Porter worked very hard and failed frequently before mastering his craft. Noel Coward was perhaps more facile. However, John, if you can squeeze it in, please play "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" as performed by Danny Kaye... rotflmao funny!

I love both. I think Porter's songs are more accessible and in that regard has the upper hand. But I MUST say, 'Brief Encounter' is one of the best theater moments I've had in a LONG time. I've seen it three times. The cast really makes Coward songs soar!

A man needn't have a relationship with a woman to write romantically, as stated by your guests

they seemed polar opposite in personality.
how much do you think this affects their artistry?

Your guests might get a kick out of the audio book of Michael Caine's new memoir, "The Elephant to Hollywood," in which Mr Caine does an hilariously spot on imitation of his good friend Mr. Coward.

My father, the very model of a macho working class Massachusetts-Irish kid and one-time Marine and career Air Force sergeant, had several of Noel Coward's records, which he enjoyed immensely. He was also a big fan of Gertrude Lawrence. Life is often too silly for words.

bobby short sang coward to perfection!!

inanity,the FED, and tuesday smackdowns, make the world go 'round..........

Hands down - just look at the catalog - and Porter wins as songwriter.

As playwright, actor, performer and filmmaker, Coward wins - by default.

What a silly debate.
BTW - Sinatra recorded I'll Follow My Secret Heart, an exquisite Coward ballad.

Is there any more inane show on WNYC than Soundcheck (the inanity taken to new levels each time there is a 'smackdown')?

this being a "high culture" smackdown,are felt gloves, the only weapon of choice?

Apples and oranges when it comes down to it. I really don't know what the two men have to do with each other, other than they were both gay.

Coward was basically a British music hall performer and playwright who wrote songs for himself. Porter was an American songwriter of enormous skill both musically and lyrically. He didn't perform his own songs unless demonstrating them for singers and actors.

I vote for Porter as having by far the more far-reaching talent, as measured by the unmeasurable number of performances of his songs in all media. Coward has not come close to this universality.