Results: Marni Nixon, Unsung Singing Star
Published on 12/05/2021
Although her career was built on doing jingles, commercials, opera, and random recordings. some of Marni Nixon's finest performances were uncredited. When she dubbed the vocals for movie musical stars she was warned that if people found out she was connected to the films, the studio (in Marni's words) "would see to it that I wouldn’t work in town again".
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Have you ever heard of soprano Marni Nixon? Yes, and I am familiar with her great contribution to film.
6%
138 votes
Yes, I knew she was a singer, but I did not know she dubbed for movie stars.
3%
69 votes
Yes, her name is familiar.
4%
85 votes
Unsure
7%
168 votes
No
69%
1586 votes
N/A
11%
254 votes
2.
2.
Marni dubbed the singing for Deborah Kerr's Anna in "The King and I", and lounge singer Terry in "An Affair to Remember". If you have seen those films, do you recall the vocal performances? Please select all options that apply. Yes, I remember the vocals from "The King and I".
18%
406 votes
Yes, I remember the vocals from "An Affair to Remember".
7%
154 votes
I assumed that Deborah Kerr was doing her own singing.
8%
185 votes
I don't remember the vocals from either movie.
14%
317 votes
I never saw either movie.
37%
860 votes
N/A
25%
566 votes
I thought Deborah's singing might have been dubbed.
3%
66 votes
3.
3.
When Marilyn Monroe appeared in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", Marni dubbed the high notes for her in "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". Do you recall this song being sung in the movie? Please choose all options that apply. Yes, I do.
29%
666 votes
Unsure
6%
140 votes
No, I don't
11%
242 votes
I assumed Marilyn was doing her own singing.
11%
261 votes
I thought Marilyn's voice might have been dubbed.
3%
62 votes
I never saw the movie.
29%
667 votes
N/A
20%
468 votes
4.
4.
When filming "West Side Story", Natalie Wood was under the impression that her own vocals would be used for Maria. But she, too, was ultimately dubbed by Marni who gave wonderful performances of "Tonight", "Somewhere", etc. Do you recall these vocal performances? Please select all options that apply. Yes, I remember.
25%
570 votes
Unsure
6%
145 votes
No, I don't remember.
14%
317 votes
I assumed the singing was Natalie's.
10%
228 votes
I thought her singing might have been dubbed.
3%
59 votes
I didn't see the movie.
29%
676 votes
N/A
21%
477 votes
5.
5.
Marni performed the songs for Audrey Hepburn when she played Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady". As in the films mentioned earlier, Marni was uncredited. Do you recall those vocal performances? Please select all options that apply. Yes, I remember.
22%
503 votes
Unsure
6%
143 votes
No, I don't remember.
15%
338 votes
I assumed Audrey was doing her own singing.
9%
211 votes
I thought someone might be dubbing Audrey's voice.
3%
68 votes
I did not see this movie.
31%
703 votes
N/A
21%
481 votes
6.
6.
What are your thoughts on crediting or not crediting "ghost" singers for dubbed performances? Please select all options that apply. This deception makes me angry.
8%
185 votes
The person who does the singing should be credited.
41%
943 votes
It's fine to keep this information a secret.
3%
73 votes
As long as the singer gets paid, who cares?
7%
150 votes
It must be painful and frustrating for a ghost like Marni to see someone else get the credit for her performance.
15%
346 votes
If I were the star, I would feel uncomfortable taking the credit for what a "ghost" performer did.
14%
331 votes
As a fan, I feel disappointed learning that someone else did the singing for an actor or actress.
10%
226 votes
I'm indifferent.
17%
384 votes
N/A
26%
604 votes
COMMENTS