Roz Russell On Singing Momma Rose...(I find this interesting) — Page 3

Pal Joey,

Great, great story about Ethel!

I have read one biography and it is full of stories like that. Of course, Ethel did have some real tragedies in her life, and as I have said before, there are many who attest to her goodheartedness and loyalty. She wasn't a very educated woman, and I recall comments from the biography that indicated she didn't truly "understand" a lot of the material she was working with...which frustrated the librettist, composer, lyricist, producer, director, you name it. But boy, on stage, she could deliver like there was no tomorrow.

Reminds of that Billy Wilder comment about Marilyn Monroe, who was legendary for being late, "sick," absent, hungover and so forth on the movie set. She infuriated everyone, including Wilder, who once commented (I'm paraphrasing): "My Aunt Minnie is NEVER late, but no one is going to pay for a ticket to see my Aunt Minnie."

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"justme2- Just so you know, the combination of the strangeness in your post and your extreme delicacy in phrasing it sent me into a giggle fit. :) "

Thanks lizbennet! I forgot all about this thread and just re-read through the posts after it was bumped up to the top and saw your comment.

I feel I should not suffer alone with movie star biography horror stories and thought that particular Swanson story belonged here, for all to enjoy.

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I LOVE the special features interviews from WSS with Rita Moreno. I grew up thinking that she was the only one to do her own singing in the movie, only to find out she was dubbed, too. She mentions that Anita is just too rangy and she was barely audible on the lower notes. The thing that bothered Rita the most (because she understood WHY they had to do it) was that she didn't feel that the singing matched the emotions that she was portraying in the scene. That's probably MORE of a reason why you should cast someone in a movie who sings AND acts the role. Otherwise, (as beautiful as the dubbed voice might sound) the performance might be disjointed.

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The only thing that turns me off a little about the WSS movie - is all the dubbing. It's a great movie - no doubt about it. But the dubbing is ridiculous. Rita has a mezzo voice - so I can understand her having trouble with A BOY LIKE THAT. But I think she could've handled the other songs. and I'm dying to hear Natalie's lost tracks- grrr.

I know this is old..

But I've been listening to Roz's GYPSY outtakes again. And she is actually quite good on TOGETHER WHEREVER WE GO. It is actually Natalie Wood who is messing it up vocally. I also feel her EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES was workable - she is actually quite good on the parts of the song that have a faster tempo. They should've done another Lisa/Roz mix for that song. The opening of the song should definitely be Kirk, then the faster parts Roz. It would've worked.

No need to sell anything, dear. Busch has played Auntie Mame many times over the years in benefits, in New York and elsewhere. I'm sure he'll pull out her wigs and gowns again sometime for a good cause (he obviously loves the role).

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