Singing Voice?
Can anyone tell me who provided the singing voice for Elsie Marina? Was it actually Marilyn Monroe or was it someone else? Anyone know?
shareIt was definitely Marilyn Monroe's voice.It is one of the few times she sang in her own rather high pitched voice as opposed to the affected low register voice she used in such films as "There's No Business Like Show Business". Try to find a copy of her first starring film from 1948 "Ladies of the Chorus" It is a real surprise to hear in that film too how her natural voice really sounded. It was quite lovely as it was in the wonderful film "The Prince and The Shogirl" In my opinion her greatest performance and her most awarded role --internationally.
shareIt is not Marilyn's voice. She sang it live (and perfectly, by all accounts), but was later dubbed. I don't understand why because she was a wonderful singer. And after all, she was meant to be a showgirl. The film was originally planned as a musical but Arthur Miller, Marilyn's husband, advised her to drop the songs. I think he thought she should concentrate on her acting instead, but the film would have benefited from more music. I also suspect that Laurence Olivier felt that she would outshine him completely if she sang too. As it is, she steals the movie. The song can, however, be found on some of the lengthier MM compilation CDs.
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It is unfortunate that what music there is, is so fourth rate. The song is a dreary dirge,the perfunctory solo dance routine was vapid and childish.The result is a tribute to Marilyns talent for rising above her material.
I don't know how that can be, it was just her character?! She was just being playful and flirty, especially when she sang to the Regent. There wasn't nothing much to be read into it, that was her role, it's just acting!
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I dont quite understand the point elisajones4 is trying to make. I was clearly referring to the miserably poor musical material MM was given to work with.It does not in any way reflect Elsie Marina's character.That she does indeed appear "playful and flirty", is as I said, Marilyn rising above her material by using her comic acting skills.
shareI find Marilyn rises above the material in most of her movies.
sharethat was Marilyn singing ..her own voice was dubbed on to the film after as it always is in film making during a musical sequence. . most people understand there are too many variables to go wrong during a musical number to actually have the vocal done live but again, it IS Marilyn singing voice..
shareIt's absolutely her voice, but she's singing in the high, piping style of that era (early 1900's) She went huskier in films like "River of No Return" and "There's No Business.." and breathier in "Some Like it Hot" and "Let's Make Love" but i was always her voice. Lionel Newman, who was the Fox musical director, said they never had to dub one note, and she was always ontime and cooperative when recording her songs.
shareI was disappointed that there wasn't more singing through-out....I agree - the film would've benefeited greatly with more musical numbers. Especially since MM always sings in her films, and in this one she plays a showgirl - it would've made sense to have more numbers!
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