One Hand, One Heart - West Side Story - Natalie Wood 's own voice

Here is Natalie Wood's partial vocal track, used during filming. I've added titles to indicate who is singing which lines. Natalie's voice was later completely replaced by Marni Nixon in the released film.

Jim Bryant sings for Richard Beymer.
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Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Bernstein
• Sondheim
• broadway
• musical
• theater
• hollywood actor
• film
• yt:quality=high

[MrUltraworld]

According to director Robert Wise. Natalies voice was used for the low parts, Marni Nixon sang the upper register. Even though Natalie had a clause in her contract that only her voice could be used. They are blended in the final version.

Same with Marilyn Monroe's "Diamond's are a girls's best friend". Marni's voice was dubbed in for the higher notes.

[lostvocals6]

@MrUltraworld

Nope. Robert and Marni Nixon both have stated that Marni replaced all of Natalie. It's a blend in this clip, but in the final film it's all Marni (she had to go back after filming was done and replace all of Natalie).

The blending was just done to create tracks to use during filming (as per Natalie's contract), but the producers maintained the right to replace her voice entirely, which they did. I've met Marni and she confirmed this, in addition to her autobiography.

[FortunatelyAnonymous]

I almost prefer her voice more at times....it's softer and sweeter..like her character

[SneakyGuy55]

@lostvocals6 You are absolutely correct. The final version of WSS has no blending of voices. The singing voice of Maria is that of Marni Nixon’s alone. Natalie Wood's contract allowed the producers to make the final decision. They did and chose Marni Nixon's voice. That being said, Natalie Wood could sing and sing fairly well. She was no Marni Nixon however.

Marni also dubbed MM for the song "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" in the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." High notes only..

[Base2lovesBase1]

This was one of the tearjerkers of this movie because it was so very sweet and you knew how much in love Tony and Maria were. Of course only we were the only ones who knew what was yet to come. I am surprised that there has not been a remake of West Side Story...This one was and will always be a classic bar none.

[dubs19842009]

Here's some trivia:

Elvis Presley was originlly slated to play Tony, which would've been ackward because he had been previously engaged to Natalie Wood.

[hulkout666]

Natalie Wood had a nice voice, but I'm guessing that she wasn't able to hit the higher and sustained notes as well as Marni Nixon. Still, I'd like to hear the entire song with Natalie's voice and judge for myself. Either way, it's a true classic.