Tonight - Natalie Wood 's own voice - West Side Story

Here is Natalie's recording of "Tonight," which was used on-set during filming. Marni Nixon later replaced all of Natalie's track.

This is actually a mix of Natalie and Marni. To clear up confusion, I have added titles to identify who is singing what.

Jim Bryant sings for Richard Beymer, as he did in the released film.

From Marni Nixon:
"The sessions were set up so that Natalie would first record a song on her own and then I would get up and record the whole song again...they explained my presence by saying that they would be able to mix my high notes into her takes, which I knew at the time was...technically impossible.

It was very disheartening to hear them as they listened to her playbacks and extolled her vocal prowess. 'Oh Natalie, that was just wonderful,' they cooed. They were creating a monster. A monster who thought everything she sang was perfect.

I am sure, however, that they thought if they were critical of her vocals in any way that she would walk off the picture before everything was filmed. She had them hostage and they were placating her until they didn't need her anymore.

I heard later that Natalie was very upset and felt betrayed by the powers that be. She sincerely wanted to sing her own tracks. I have to agree that it was cruel of Saul Chaplin and his musical crew to lead her on and make her believe there was a chance they would use her voice. But in their defense it was their job to make sure that their highly paid and very bankable star finished shooting every scene. In addition, it was their responsibility to present the brilliant and difficult Bernstein/Sondheim score in the best possible light. This they did, and did it well."

This story is said to come from the film's director, Robert Wise:

There was a private screening of the film's rough cut at the studio with just Natalie and Robert Wagner. Robert Wise sat a few rows behind them.

After the the film, the lights came up. Natalie turned to Wagner and asked what he thought. He said, "Sorry dear, it's just not good enough."

She looked back to Wise and said, "Dub me."
.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• West
• Side
• Story
• Tonight
• real
• voice
• Marni
• Nixon
• Broadway
• musical
• deleted
• scene
• outtake
• Leonard
• Bernstein
• Stephen
• Sondheim
• Jim
• Bryant
• yt:quality=high

[demoman925]

They made the right call dubbing Natalie. Her voice isn't bad, but Marni just has a more refined and powerful voice.

[YY4Me133]

I might have thought Natalie Wood's singing was okay if I hadn't heard Marni Nixon sing her parts, but Nixon has a far superior vocal quality.

[TerraDigitalMedia]

Yeah she's a little pitchy isn't she.. she has great quality though. I love the roundness of her tone.. just not the pro that Marni was...

[OneSexyChick4U]

I think Natalie sounded pretty good to be honest.

They could have used her singing voice for a few of the songs.

[revolcona]

Imaginé que cantaba horrible. Linda voz, en estos tiempos la hubiesen procesado un poquito en un computador y listo, aunque Marni es el 50% de María.

[lostvocals6]

@bvandyk

Even if the talent is really bad?

[bvandyk]

@demoman925 Other than the fact that it was fake. I readily concede that most fans really don't care. I do and I always will: I'd rather see honest talent than a fake confection.

[ArashiAiko]

@YY4Me133 I'll have to agree with that... I cringed when I heard Natalie's singing.

RIP Natalie Wood

[27jengirl]

Oh no Marni's voice is awesome west side is kinda like an opera play Marni is prefect for Maria

[thewildpearl]

I never liked Marni's voice for Maria. Natalie sounded more "real" - more "Maria".