Back when Hollywood made musicals they would buy a hit Broadway production and hire a beautiful leading lady. The only problem was that often the starlet just wasn’t that good of a singer. So they would hire a “Ghost” for the musical numbers and force the person to stay anonymous so the general public would never know.
One of the best of all time died this last Sunday at the age of 86. Her name was Marni Nixon
CBS Sunday Morning Tribute Here
Varity Obit Here
Audrey Hepburn Singing “I Could Have Danced All Night” Here
Marni Nixon’s Overdub Here
I’m a romantic. I have a sensitive side. I love musicals. Mrs. M used to say it’s a good thing I like women.
Wonderful post. Thank you Dr. Tar!!!
I found AH’s version entirely listenable…
I was expecting Audrey Hepburn to be awful. She wasn’t. Marni was better, marginally.
But now I’ve got that stupid song in my head and can’t get rid of this ear worm. I’m going to have to listen to some early Black Sabbath or something to erase it.
@Obamaplease My Fair Lady runs 170 minutes. That’s a lot of having hearing a listenable voice when you could have a pitch perfect 4 octave soprano do it to perfection.
Not ever actress appreciated the substitution. Natalie Wood basically refused to cooperate when her vocals on Westside Story were replace and Nixon had to work from what had been filmed alone, a tougher task than if the actress works with the ghost.
Marni Nixon never overdubbed Julie Andrews. There’s footage of her singing the Do-Ray-Me song from the Sound of Music on YouTube. It’s pretty close to my ear, though lacking some of Andrews personality.
She did make her only screen appearance as one of the nuns in that movie.
Just goes to show how truly talented Julie Andrews was and is.
I understand your point, dr tar, it’s just that I was expecting to hear something much worse. Think “Downtown” as sung by Mrs Miller…https://youtu.be/fw07CDid0JM
Can you believe that actually got airtime?
back in the days when Hollywood had actual …… talent
Rather than an “unsung” hero, she is more of a unsung singing hero. Appreciate her work effort, even though I’m not a fan a musicals.
Dr. Tar
The IOTW Committee is reviewing your man card. We’ll get back to you in short order. In the meantime we strongly urge you to no longer publicly express any interest in Broadway musicals.
Well, Mrs Miller is memorable, at least.
Pain is like that.
Last comment was for obamaplease!!
Tar, your man card remains valid.
Some musicals are amazing, inspired and memorable achievements.
Here are a few great ones:
The King and I
My Fair Lady
Camelot
The Producers
The Music Man
You can keep most of the Andrew Lloyd Weber stuff. Never saw Les Mis’, and I think Iit would be a two bragger if I did. Barf bag, that is.
When I think of great overdubs, I always think of this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bq0B5uzYA78#t=729
//
I wish you still had the “Like” button.