Rose's Turn - Gypsy - Ethel Merman sings for Rosalind Russell

[grafonolafavorite]

Bravo Roz

Bravo Ethel

[jonvanner]

I love ROz, but this was Merman's role. This is the closest we get to what might of been. I'm glad you've got too much time on your hands lostvocals3, your postings never fail to interest, intrigue and most of all delight. I salute you.

[belljar76]

haha... this is great.

[vintagethriftnyc]

It's criminal that the Merm didn't star in the movie. It's the only grudge I hold against Rosalind Russel.

[Bijoushow]

Love Roz, but Ethel Merman should have done the movie. I consider it one of Hollywood's biggest blunders. Another shocking blunder is that Ethel was never filmed performing Rose's Turn! She performed Everthing's Coming Up Roses for the rest of her career, but never Rose's Turn. What a shame!

[ormandy]

The Greatest Performance on Broadway EVER!!!

[ELBSeattle]

DAMN - I wish I had been alive and in New York when EM was doing this role. I've heard this was was the best thing she had done in her life.

[talldarkfunny]

I never thought of Merman as a great actress until I heard her sing this song, as the character is literally supposed to be having a nervous breakdown onstage. The only other actress who did it as well was Bernadette Peters, and she was just awesome. Where Merman was a monolith collapsing, Peters was petite and physically delicate. She kind of self destructed right in front of you. It was like watching a lovely small village destroyed by an earthquake. Very different actresses, both excellent

[onirannam]

I love the Merm, but Roz was a fantastic Rose on film in spite of all the naysayers. Gypsy was a Jack Warner production. It stands to reason he'd cast Ms. Russell as she was a Warner's star (Auntie Mame) just coming off the successful film of the stage play, A Majority of One. In addition, he had a long relationship with Natalie Wood from her Warner contract days. She was red-hot at the time with with Splendor In The Grass and West Side Story released prior to Gypsy. A very successful film.

[egames170]

Roz has the best stage presence ever.

[new2pass]

I don't know who you are, but you rock!

[bervy8]

This should have been Ethel Merman's part, and she was still young enough at the time to pull it off.

[cynicsfaith]

merman had the attitude down!

[carol3793]

But the voice of the singer isn't rosalind russell?

[lostvocals3]

@carol3793

As stated in the title of the clip, and in the notes below it.

[grai]

brilliant!

slightly disrespectful of the genius of Rosalind Russell but worth it! 

[MusicOTNight2096]

You know what would be the most awesome? If you put the original video of Rosalind Russell's version ;-D I've been trying to find a video of JUST Russell's version, but I can't find one ANYWHERE.

[lostvocals3]

@MusicOTNight2096

Youtube won't allow it. It's available on DVD. Also, I only put up unique clips.

[xawesomegurlzx]

Why? Why would anyone dislike this? It's Ethel freekin Merman!

[MegaPROSPECTS]

Dubbing or not, it will remain a classical performance.

[bigred997]

interesting. roz in her autobio insists she did not have anyone dub her voice. maybe for one song. boy, is ethel sound obnoxious. maybe in a large theater on stage it comes across okay.

[lostvocals3]

@bigred997

.

Yes, I included Roz' comments in my clips from "Gypsy" that restore her own voice. If you listen to them, you can see that she was completely dubbed in the film, except for "Mr. Goldstone" and the first half of this song.

Ethel rules.

[Mike6E]

Imagine if this is how it was in the movie?! It's so ridiculous that Ethel thought she would've dubbed for Roz. Either way, I think Rosalind was gorgeous.

[lostvocals3]

@Mike6E

.

Ethel never thought she would dub Roz, and of course never would have, since she was angry that she wasn't allowed to film the role she created.

This is just a joke I made.

[Mike6E]

@lostvocals3 Really? I could've sword I read somewhere that Ethel was under the impression that if she couldn't star in the movie, she would at least dub the lyrics. Maybe I'm mistaken. But even so, it's so funny, it would be distracting to watch the whole movie this way. :P

[lostvocals3]

@Mike6E

.

It would have been absurd, and would never have happened in a million years.

And the Merm NEVER would have lowered herself to that!

[Geostrum2]

With the new technology and computer graphics it is quite possible to super impose the image of Ethel Merman on/over Roz Russel's. Ms. Merman can truely now do the film post humously like you did the sound,

[Reptopia]

You Did A Great Job! It Was Great! I Had No Idea Rosalind Russel Voice was Dubbed in All this time!

[cooloperetta]

I've seen it and I still can't believe it. It's bloomin' BRILLIANT! Ethel Merman (like Mary Martin) had a persona that didn't translate well to celluloid. But her voice was like pure electricity, and given to Rosalind Russell it makes the scene electric. If this could be done to the entire film - including a restored 'Together' - it would be well nigh perfect.

[monkey0alejandro]

that was a treat! thanks!

[strangereveryday]

for once i would lke to see someone do this song and show some fucking trace of anger. she looks dull like nothing really is bothering her

[mosaicked]

@strangereveryday Patti LuPone's version maybe?

[AOG93]

@strangereveryday Watch Patti LuPone or Bernadette Peters then... she's great....

But there are different interpretations of a nervous breakdown you know...

[XxPierre90xX]

I just love her

[lostvocals3]

@XxPierre90xX

.

Who?  Roz or Ethel?

[BTURNER1961]

different media and eras celebrate different gifts and talents. Even Ethel's voice changed considerably from her early Broadway days through the two generations that she lead Broadway. Gypsy represented her zenith in terms of range, depth and power. But her voiceis definitely an acquired taste, which I happily acquired. I wonder if unconventional voices like Merm, Channing, Bea Arthur, or Nell Carter would get past casting directors today. They don't dare take real risks anymore.

[xNatalie24x]

Yeh I don't like it either if I'm being honest. Rosalinds voice is too raspy and

Husky for me.

[twilson11208]

That was truly awesome. While I have the original soundtrack with Ethel Merman it makes me feel somewhat sad that Rosalind Russell was not received well with her characterization of Mama Rose, I thought she did a wonderful job of it.

[hollywoodboysa]

the film version of this song makes me want to puke

[larrynod]

That was really good synching! I'm surprised that u were able to make it look so exact. Good work!

I adore Roz Russell. One of the greatest actresses in the history of cinema, but it was a shame that Merman couldn't do the film version. We wuz robbed.

You should try dubbing Roz now with Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters and Patti Lupone. Or maybe dub Bette with Roz... (r u sure Roz was dubbed? She sang well. She won a Tony for Best Musical Actress for Wonderful Town)

[lostvocals3]

@larrynod

Roz was dubbed for every song in the film except "Mr. Goldstone" and the first half of "Rose's Turn."

My god, I would never get any rest if I took on all those projects! =)

[doug18020]

You've done remarkable work here. Uncanny. One would think Russell filmed to a playback of Merman.  Amazing synching.

[ErickB69]

It took a bit to get used to the voice but fun.

[batman4oz]

Wonderfully done!  A very clever 'what if!'

^^X^^

[RImusclebear]

Combining the best of both stage and screen. You are a stud!

[ozzian2000]

Ok... MAJORLY CREEPY! Like Ros has been possessed by Ethel Merman.

Amazing job!!!

[photobygil]

Well, I admire Merman's capacity & energy, but feel her rendition was probably best on the stage, where it no doubt reached the rafters. I prefer the roughness & the drama in the film version's original soundtrack (I know, it's a mix of Russell & Lisa Kirk for this number). However, I LOVE that you took the time to do this - you really did an incredible job! Wow.

[rudafer69]

@photobygil amen!

[ZenCross1]

Oh hooray. All is right with the universe : )

[jonycuddlesgert]

Perfectly SUper! Thank you, lostvocals3. Have admired almost every diva who has ever "done" this one... and YOU, "lost..." are a Master, no a MAESTRO!, at all the marvelous digital apps that you do so well. Again, thanks. I wonder, no I'm sure!, that composers AND SteveSondheim would get a HUGE and Artful! "kick" out of YOUR labors here. Again, Thanx! -- =jonycuddlesgert.

[BetteDavisMimic]

i don't give a flying "FIG" if Roz Russell was singing or not......she IS Mamma...then...now and forever....i don't care who does it "live".....SHE is Mama Rose......would love to see this with her voice

[GirlCousins]

skeptical

[GirlCousins]

I was sceptical, and You Rocked it. I love this.

[kearneyg2005]

Wow, this is great! Good job on syncing this up so well.

[blondeseashell]

Awesome job! They are my 2 favorite Roses'. Thank you for doing this.

[jemb2000]

Hi, love your work here. Can you tell me what program you used to speed up the film? I'm trying to do similar thing to this. Thx

[lostvocals3]

Pinnacle Studio

[jemb2000]

@lostvocals3 Thanks for the info :)

[lostvocals3]

P.S. Most ot the synching work was done on the audio rather than the video, using SoundForge.

[jemb2000]

@lostvocals3 Wow. I appreciate your achievment even more.

[markbob120]

The pain and anguish that Roz brought to this song remains unsurpassed. She was brilliant. Merman simply bellows her way through it and with no acting acumen. Merman graciouly admitted that the only reason she made it in musical theatre was that before amplification she was so loud she could be heard in the last row of the theatre. Roz was a true genius. Merman was a air raid siren.

[mmdillons]

markbob120, you may prefer RR's performance to EM's, but to say EM bellows through w/o acting well is patently absurd. EM's exquisite execution of Mama Rose may elude you, but the free world has celebrated her in this role that was WRITTEN for her and this character whom she CREATED. Critics maintain that the pain that exquisitely breaks through EM as MR's hardened mask will likely remain the all-time greatest theatrical performance we'll ever know. RR's success in the role was decent, at best.

[markbob120]

I suppose you also like the sublime performance that a bull gives when in a china shop!

[Gregg30]

I love this. There's no visual recording of Ethel doing this song so this is the closest thing as I'm sure the staging was based on the Broadway production, which Roz saw.

[Cineramicfilms]

The LOUD NASAL sounding Merman was great to see live I hear. Her voice filling up a theatre. But her talent and voice didn't come across so good on film or on record. She's tough to listen to, her voice sometimes so brash that it's irritating. I think Roz got a bum break with the movie version. In the acting department she's excellent.

[Lenswims]

I adore the Merm!!! Roz got the role because her hubby bought it for her. I love Roz, too. We know Merm would never agree to be a mere dubber. And who the hell would have the balls to ask her?Thanks for this brilliant compillation, lostvocals3! Perhaps in the afterlife we can attend Judy Garland's version of this role together, front row center!

[lostvocals3]

rakshasa7

BEAUTIFUL mix. I still prefer Roz 'cause I grew up with her, but that was almost seamless.

ferrierepc

Gr8 that the Merman Russell versions were melodically the same so the 2 match up. Kudos! I thought the Midler version was gr8. Midler was made for the role, and brought it 2 new generation. Peters, well, too pretty, too young, although I left happy. Saw Daly do it in 1989 and was happy BUT Lupone last year was amazing! We were on our feet more than in seats.

[lostvocals3]

Thanks for the compliment! The two performances didn't match up at all - I had to use every editing trick in my book to make it fit. I'm flattered that you didn't notice! =)

[lostvocals3]

EricBettelheim

Damn, you may have too much time on your hands, but this was brilliant in concept and execution. What a coup! Thank you.

michaelhynes

Holy shit, this is fantastic! Love this .....

It was 50 years ago tomorrow that this opened on Broadway ... Happy Birthday, Gypsy!

Ruffian144

Oh Fabulous! I saw this movie recently & was initially disappointed that Merman didn't play Rose, but by the end of the film I'd decided Russell did a very good job.

[ragtime1925]

If Ethel dubbed Roz, that would be a slap in the face to Ethel. Hello? Why not just put Merm in the role for the movie, why spend all that time dubbing when Ethel could do it bigger, better, and make the movie a smash like she had done to the Show on Broadway for 3 years.