Deanna Durbin, age 13 - One Night of Love

[TheAnastasiaLee]

Deanna is amazing, I listen to her often, she is awesome!

~Anastasia Lee~ 

[bbcisrubbish]

I'm confused. After the first singer the announcer said "and now we have little Edna May Durbin", and proceeded to interview her. If the first singer was Deanna why did he say "and now we have"? We will never know. However, the first singer was remarkably like a mature Deanna.

[UncleAnti]

Play nice children - no need for name calling! Everyone just enjoy the singing...

[Mrsawyer46]

I'm 64 years old and had never listened to Deanna until recently, as she had stopped performing about the time I was born. I'm appreciative of singers with exceptional voices and singing abilities. I've listened to most of the opera greats.

My opinion...Deanna Durbin had the most beautiful of all voices and most importantly, knew how to use it. I've now listened to some of her recordings...breathtaking.

And mark these words...Jackie Evancho, within 2 or 3 years, will be her equal.

[mikeyzip]

Whoever you are keep her music coming.

[frankalsoran]

the film studios change her name in 1936 to deanna when she was 14years old,in this type she was called edna mai so she was just 13 when she sang this song,shame she stopped singing so early, its nice to know she will be 90 ys old in dec .

[237cupcake]

she is so pretty

[vxz76]

this not right i saw the video 1937 and she was singing much diferent,this not only 13,this is a womam voice...

[donlemc]

There is only ONE Deanna Durbin and this is she!

[zax3341]

What do u think of Luisa Tetrazzini?

[crr1950]

Deanna was born in 1921. This was recorded in 1935 making her 13 to 14.

[purplebubbles242]

My name is Deanna Durbin!!!! I feel special :) teehee

[TheAnastasiaLee]

@purplebubbles242 Really? According to your profle your name is Hannah. Is Hannah just the name you go by? :)

[christina3041]

my dad use to it me down when i was only very little and he would put on deanna

[trustinChrist08]

This is her, you can so tell!Deanne is the bomb man!

[Scotsbell]

For the unbelievers that this is Deanna at 13 (which it is) I had the honour of being at school at the same time as a girl who went on to become a professional opera singer in Australia and sang with various well known male singers such as Placido Domingo. Her voice at 11/ 12 was every bit as good as the lovely Deanna's and she had the ability to learn powerful arias in a very short time. She is now a voice teacher back in the UK.

[theonejrs]

BTW freespiritQC,

Ms Burnette will learn far more from Jackie Evancho than Jackie will ever learn from her, and Yeve is one of the best vocal coaches in the business. With Jackie, It's all already there in her brain, waiting on her tiny lungs to grow. It will be interesting to compare Jackie to the great Deanna Durbin when Jackie turns 13! I'm pretty sure Deanna is rooting for her! You don't know what you are talking about!

[hajune]

Deanna saved Universal from bankruptcy with that amazing voice. She was a class act: very shy and did not like the Hollywood scene. I have several recordings of her at a youth. There seems to be one young gifted star that comes to us every generation. 10 year old Jackie Evancho is this generation's super star. Having said that Deanna Durbin paved the way for many future performers. We owe her much. Famous voice teachers often used her style to teach aspiring singers. Deanna was the VERY BEST.

[TheBelldiver]

I have watched 5 movies back to back. What an actress what a singer. Great!

I am a new fan. That' s for sure!

[hajune]

Happy 89th birthday Deanna. You were the very best , a child prodigy of the first order. It took 80 years later to find another Deanna Durbin in Jackie Evancho . Deanna lives in Paris and does not do interviews but will write back to her fans. She saved the studio from bankruptcy when she was moved from MGM. They could only afford one prodigy young singer so they took Judy Garland. it worked out for both.

[electrodud]

Like Jackie Evancho she sounds older than she is. Are there any recording of her singing at a younger age? Such a beautiful voice.

Shes been out of public view since the 1950's.

at 88 years old I would like to hear her sing again.

Thanks for posting these videos :-)

[Celticwomanfanpiano]

Phenomenal! Deanna Durbin is my idol! And I didn't know this tidbit about her radio career. Neat detail! I love her response about her Daddy being tired of the cold! Take Care,

~ Luisa

[3investigators]

It certainly sounds like Deanna Durbin but I have to admit it does not sound like a 13 year old girl's voice.

[gnsback]

I'll bet she broke a lot of hearts when she went into such an early retirement. I often wondered what her main reason was. awesome

[Quidditch54321]

Thank you for posting her beautiful voice.

[udon890]

Deanna Durbin, you are my idol.

[bugsbear111]

Why don't they play her movies on tcm, back in the day my theatre arts teacher, Mr. Elliot r. Dorfman, said she was a equal of Judy Garland

[Chiliarches]

@bugsbear111

She could wipe the walls with Judy Garland. Dhr had one of the most extraordinary voices of the last century...as both opera aficionados and pop aficionados will tell you. She had the kind of voice that transcended all stylistic boundaries.

[stars22mm]

my goodness wonderfull voice and personality Michael M

[violinthief]

For all of the fools who claim this isn't Durbin, I just uploaded the full radio interview, ending with the unedited "One Night of Love". Egg on all your faces.

[Rotogravier]

@violinthief

Deanna is not the first teenager to fool the listeners; Brenda Lee was accused of being a 40 year old midget ate the age of 12, Dodie Stevens (Geraldine Pasquale) at about the same age became a pop sensation with "Pink Shoelaces" and an almost adult voice. The marvelous beauty of Deanna's voice is timeless.

Thank you.

[Realteen]

That isn't her at 13. The part at the end was added on after the singing was put together. I don't accuse you of this but I WAS done. Unless your a Juilliard student don't even try and change my opinion. Flagged for misleading text.

[TOMSLASSIE]

@Realteen

Deanna tried out for the voice of, I think, Snow White, for Disney. But, he thought her voice was too mature.

[KamaChelny]

agree!!!

[Realteen]

Perhaps you should try getting a video of her at 13 singing said piece. Not possible I hear you say? Nonsence! Surely someone with your intelliect and persistance could find something that isn't there.

[freespiritQC]

This is NOT a 13 years old. I'm a singer and voice teacher specialized in kids and teenagers voices and this a mature woman voice.

[violinthief]

You may be a voice teacher, but you are certainly not at the same level as Deanna's teacher, Andres DeSegurola, primo basso of the Met during the Caruso era. He declared that, at age 13, Durbin was a fully mature lyric soprano. Upon hearing this broadcast, Grace Moore said "That kid sings better than me!" At age 14, she and Rosa Ponselle both sang at the same function, and Durbin was considered the superior of the two by most of the attendees. At 15, she was invited to star at the Met.

[freespiritQC]

Go listen to her in 1937 at age 16, 3 years later. It has nothing to do with that recording of yours. And I don't care who her teacher was. She was a great talent with ou without him. Teachers don't make artists, artists are.

And it's not her at 13...

[violinthief]

Most of the Deanna Durbin singing clips on youtube are from my account. I know exactly what I'm posting. For your ignorant and unfounded claims to be true, I'd need to have access to the Durbin broadcast at which she sang this song and have combined it with some other singer from the same era, singing in a live radio broadcast, in front of an audience, who also happens to enunciate every syllable very clearly, just like Durbin. Here's a simpler explanation - this is Durbin, and you're a moron.

[Celticwomanfanpiano]

@freespiritQC I actually disagree, teachers do have a profound influence on the development of an artists abilities. Especially if the artist is receptive to the instruction of the teacher.

[hajune]

@freespiritQC You are an arrogant idiot. The evidence is clearly AGAINSY you. It was her. I have at least 6 recordings of her at this age , 3 interviews, and a few magazine articles. Why can;t you admit you are wrong. You just HEARD the interview you absolutely STUPID Idiot. You look bad showing your ignorance to millions. By the way the world is not flat either.

[quelita28]

@freespiritQC

Was Deanna Durbin a better singer than Judy Garland

and the rest of the actresses of her time?

[osinging]

@violinthief Deanna Durbin superior to Rosa Ponselle? Yes! I can quite believe it. Sometimes (usually) the audience knows better than the critics.

[gretch33]

@freespiritQC You don't know what the heck you are talking about. As a voice teacher, you should study your history.

[MsLindaKaren]

@freespiritQC Wrong!!! God gives the talent in which way He choses to! no mater what the age. I have seen every Deanna Durbin movie ever made and indeed she sang like a woman and only got better and better as she aged. How old are you by the way? I will be 60 in January and let me tell you I sanfg from the age of 3 baffeling peole who heard me then; and by grade two sang every month over PA system and the principal told my parents how gifted a singer I was.By thriteen I sang like a young woman

[ccdg1066]

@freespiritQC Disney Studios rejected her 15-year old voice for Snow White because it sounded too mature.

[flowersings]

@freespiritQC I'd sincerely be interested in what you think of Jackie Evancho and her technique.

[violinthief]

@flowersings So many people have left Jackie Evancho comments that I checked out some of her videos. It's better to compare her to Charlotte Church than Deanna Durbin. Evancho has a long way to go before being compared to DD. Church never got there. I doubt Evancho will, either. She just doesn't have much range - her low notes are weak, and when she goes high, she has to switch to head voice. Compare Durbin and Evancho on the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria. The gap is huge. Different ages, though.

[flowersings]

@violinthief I wasn't comparing her to Durbin. I was just interested in what you think about her. I think she has a lot of talent, but has been taught very poor technique. Her tone seems completely swallowed and she uses jaw vibrato. Her vibrato is also very inconsistent. I generally don't like to pit one singer against another. Jackie's poor technique does resemble that of Charlotte's though. I agree that she will probably never be as good as Durbin due to poor training.

[royalcourtier]

@violinthief I agree with your comments on Evancho. A mature voice, but limited range and week. She will be at most a sensation for a year then forgotten. Durbin was mature and had real talent range and power.

[DivetteDoryKamen]

@freespiritQC I had trouble believing it at first, too! If you want to see her in action at age 14, I suggest you watch any of her clips from "Three Smart Girls" on YouTube, or rent the whole movie. It's available from Netflix. There is a youthfulness in her voice that shows she isn't old, but I agree that she sings more maturely than almost anyone her age.

[slowpokecat]

it should be a crime to put Britany name next to hers

[SuzelleDeGrace]

She is a rare diamond. Thank you violonthief.

[SuzelleDeGrace]

violonthief, is it Durbin at 13 or not?

[chuckedoutchas]

I detect no vibrato problems. Just a beautiful mature voice! sorry she's not Britney!

[swanningaround]

chuck. We all love Britney - for her nice smile and antics, not her voice. :)

[violinthief]

Wow, Nordcello - you caught me! Of my forty-four Deanna Durbin posts, I slipped in this recording and claimed it to be Durbin, just to mess with people. What's really amazing is that I found a very old recording, performed in front of a live audience, with someone singing the same song in the same key as what is playing in the background during the interview. The other explanation is that Durbin had an incredibly mature voice, and the bad vibrato is due to degradation of a very old recording.

[franklindavid]

Lovely! voice in musicals, it's a pity that she withdrew from public life.

[Lisbet3]

What a surprise! I was originally searching to see if she was related in some way to the senator of Illinois since Durbin is her real name and I also thought she was a dancer. Learn something new every day.

[LKayL1]

This is one of my favourite pictures of Deanna.

[stullemitbrot1903]

das hat doch niemals ne 13jährige gesungen??!! =)

[fastdrive55]

I admit she never had to perform in a dumb talent show. And still be remembered.

[Masquerade03]

Absolutly fascinating to recover Durbin as a youngster singing a big hit for another big star of that era Grace Moore. Many thanks for such a treasure.

[Yunginspirit]

Fantastic!

I wish she were alive today

[violinthief]

To the best of my knowledge, she's still alive, age 87, living just outside of Paris.

[Yunginspirit]

Wow, she's still alive. You must be a great, faithful fan of hers.

Thanks for your info.

[zwerskij]

I believe she is, as a matter of fact.

[TOMSLASSIE]

@Yunginspirit

Deanna is alive and well, age 88, still living in Paris and getting around. I found this info today.

[Classic1940s]

My goodness... she was amazing :). Thanks so much for posting.

[SSGTA440]

Arguably the greatest female singer of the 20th century...How DOES a 13 year old sound like this??????OMG????

[tomato6999]

becous you cannot get better then the best

[cocalicot]

Thanks, violinthief, for more than you know....My Daddy loved Deanna Durbin and I remember many instances of his fond recollections of her beautiful voice. Years later, I remember him talking about the beautiful voice and range of Barbara Streisand. She had just released, "People". The funny thing is that my dad was a construction worker and I doubt that anyone would've guessed his "passion". Listening to Deanna brings him back to me. (Thanks, Daddy, for passing on your love of music to me.)

[WizardOfOzfan94]

that's so sweet!

[larrosno1]

Once again Violinthief has done us all a service that no words can ever express,I would like to thank him as I am sure you all would for his devotion to Deanna and for sharing her music with us.

[violinthief]

Thanks, mom! 

j/k

[SatineCharm]

Thank God they found you Deanna!!

[vstasov]

How can a 13 year old sound like this??

Beautiful. Thanks so much for posting this great artist.

Stasov

[erzbet07]

What a breath of fresh air Deanna Durbin is! Such an accomplished singer..at 13 yet!!! You can actually understand each word she sings and the warmth in her voice is wonderful. Now there's talent for you. Even many years after her last film, folks STILL love her..and no wonder. She was a delight and it is lovely to see her again on YOU TUBE. Thanks, Violinthief, for showcasing this remarkable performer.

[glomur1]

Could you tell me if you have all of the movies of DD, if so could you put them back on it sure would be nice.

[violinthief]

I do have all of her movies, but I will not upload them. My channel is devoted to music only. Besides, people who are in the habit of uploading entire movies tend not to last very long on youtube. I wasn't aware that Saryt22 had been banned again. You can always go to the durbinrus channel and watch her movies dubbed into Russian.

[violinthief]

I just did a search of recent Deanna Durbin postings and see that Sarat has a new channel up, classicsarat56. I'm sure he'll be re-uploading the complete movies before too long.

[ColinMeloy91]

WOW! unbelieveable!

[x4812k]

13 years old???? seriously??? this is UNBELIEVABLE.

[bigbadassjohnson]

Glawsny- listen up, and take notes here. Thanks violinthief, for posting Deanna Durbin.

My God. Always surprise at how good people before our time were -funny, isn't it?

The current generation always has to learn how it didn't invent everything. We owe a debt of gratitude to the pure beauty of spirit -not just talent, of those before us.

Glawsny, gret20 - This is not a history exam where you fail people, sniping at perceived crimes of ignorance, grammatical errors, etc.

Thanks violinthief!

[violinthief]

Glawsny, your post is a bit harsh. There is no shame in having a tin ear.

On the other hand, Gret20 basically accused me of lying, so I don't feel too much sympathy in that direction, either.

[glawsny]

If you can't tell the difference between Deanna Durbin and Grace Moore you have no knowledge of singers,or vocal range or age difference.shame on you!

[IngeBeca]

How does this sound anything like Grace Moore?

[gret20]

This is not Deanna Durbin! More likely to be Grace Moore

[violinthief]

One quality that separates Deanna Durbin from almost all opera singers is her excellent diction. Grace Moore's recording is here on youtube - "Grace Moore Radio Audition". They are very different singers. You did notice that, during the interview portion, the orchestra is playing "One Night of Love"? I simply reversed the order so that listeners could hear just the song if they want. Upon listening to this broadcast, Moore declsred "That kid sings better than me!"

[VinylToVideo]

Phht give me a break. Doesn't sound anything like Grace Moore.

[796824]

This is Deanna Durbin-they were taught to sing then unlike the wobbles, hooty and throaty examples heard on the operatic stage now.

[OperaBuff1935]

I agree with texasoperastar's comment. Brilliant! MATURE! My daughter's name is also Edna. Deanna Durbin should be called the Canadian Songbird, just as Jenny Lind, the great soprano of the mid - 19th century was known as the Swedish Nightingale.Bravura, diva

[IngeBeca]

The Canadian Canary

[PayoFyah]

estoy enamorado de deanna =)

[diprovenza]

In 1947 or 1948, I saw the movie You Are Always in My Heart, a song I somehow associate with Deanna Durbin. I believe the actress in You Are Always in My heart was Gloria Warren. Neither Gloria Warren nor the song is posted on YouTube.

[OperaBuff1935]

This is great! I discovered Deanna Durbin in a seniors course I took last week titled "Hollywood Sporanos" and it was a revelation to me. I remembered her back in the 30s and 40s sort of as an actress who could also sing, or a singer who could act, but I've just been floored at her great talent at both, and at such a young age. And I'm not over it, yet. And she just walked away from it all in her early 30's. Just like Jenny Lind. And she's still alive! (B. 1921) What a talent!

operabuff1935

[animaliac]

if its Schertzinger its got to be good.

[MGraciana]

menina bonita dos anos 30

[MGraciana]

deanna durbin ainda e viva?

[hammerax123]

:)

:)

:0

[astaire8]

This is a lovely recording by Deanna.

Thank you!

[texasoperastar]

Brilliant performance by Deanna Durbin. An amazing mature voice for a 13-year-old girl. Metro's loss was Universal's gain in a mighty way!!!

[batm42]

una voz de angel,tan joven y con esa dulzura para cantar,maravillosa !!! gracias por subirla

[discouniverse]

I think she is the only capable to sing any song...she is the very beginning of beautiful singing and still unbeaten

[swanningaround]

This is at age 13! Amazing. She could be taken for a singer in her 60s. She is incredible.

[Johnlocke29]

an ANGEL....................john locke

[texasoperastar]

Thanks Boswell38! Since then I have learned that this radio show hosted by Wallace Berry went to air with Edna Durbin singing "One Night Of Love" on the 28th of November, 1935. That was just before she turned 14 on the 4th of December, 1935.

[texasoperastar]

Does anyone know the name of this radio show?

[boswell38]

The name of the radio show is THE SHELL CHATEAU HOUR

[Desideria7]

She was a real wonder, thanks God that she has recorded so many songs so that today we can enjoy it. Thank you, Deanna, e thanks for posting it!

[j72050]

And it is so odd...she quarreled with the studio system.....while still in her 20s..became disgusted......and left early and never came back, became a matron in Paris, and married a now deceased French director. She is now about 88. Completely left the hollywood star screen singing life, never to return. And this was 60 plus years ago!

[boswell38]

Deanna will be 86 on Dec. 4th

[erzbet07]

13 years old! I'm swept away. How awesome, how remarkable, how totally WONDERFUL! Her speaking voice sounds so cute too. Thanks for sharing this treasure on YOU TUBE!!

[paulostroff99]

Ubbelievable for a 13 or thirty something.She was far more than just very special!!

[boswell38]

Remarkable. I've heard this performance before, but I'm always astounded at how mature and confident Deanna's voice sounds here. For someone who wasn't "born in a trunk," and who was reortedly very shy in private life, her poise is incredible...as is her voice.

[texasoperastar]

Thanks so much for uploading this wonderful and rare recording of precious Edna Mae. Her voice sounds like an adult singing rather than a child! Disney Studios rejected Edna Mae for the role of Snow White because her voice sounded too mature, but Henry Koster from Universal Studios believed in her and Deanna became a superstar!