This documentary short was produced for 20th Century Fox as a bonus feature with the DVD of "The King and I." It has interviews with a number of Broadway and film historians. Among them are Steven Suskin, Laurence Maslon, Richard Barrus, Ted Chapin, and Bruce Pomanac. I appreciated the fact that it gave information about the source novel, "Anna and the King of Siam," and that it had been made into a movie 10 years before "The King and I." "Something Wonderful: The Story of 'The King and I'" had some interviews and showed production clips of the "The King and I." It showed set construction and gave other details about the production. But, it just touched on some of this. Since this was done in 2006, I was surprised that it didn't include anything about Marni Nixon's singing being dubbed for Deborah Kerr. In the mid-20th century, Hollywood was secretive about voices being dubbed for big name stars in major musicals. Marni Nixon was a talented singer whose voice was used to replace the leading ladies in some major Hollywood musicals. "The King and I" was the first, and in interviews one can find on the Web, she explains how well Deborah Kerr worked with her on all the songs in "The King and I." Not all of the actresses she dubbed singing were happy about it. Natalie Wood was very upset about having her recorded sound track dumped and dubbed by Marni Nixon's voice. Nixon also dubbed the singing of Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady." And, she dubbed the song Kerr sang in "An Affair to Remember." I have watched and listened to video clips of the female leads singing the songs in those films, and none are nearly as good as the dubbed singing. Hepburn's voice was too soft and couldn't begin to cover the musical range. Wood didn't have much melody in her voice and her articulation was such that I couldn't understand some of the words. But, all of the dubs by Nixon were clear as a bell, and even varied to sound as though they were the voices of the respective actresses I don't think the knowledge that some voices are dubbed hurts those films today – or that it would have back then. If anything, it might add to the standing of the studio or other movie maker for giving credit where credit is due. When Warner Brothers issued an anniversary DVD for "My Fair Lady" in 1995, it made a feature documentary on the making of that film. And in it, the commentators discussed the dubbing, and Marni Nixon was interviewed. It's too bad that in 2006, 20th Century Fox wouldn't come clean with the same information and credit.
Broadway historian Laurence Maslon discussed the original stage musical that Gertrude Lawrence produced and starred in. He said that this is the first show that Rodgers and Hammerstein did "that had no American characters in it whatsoever." And, while Steven Suskin mentioned the origin from the book by Margaret Landon, and the 1946 film, "Anna and the King of Siam," he did not say how much "The King and I" varied from book and the first film. It varied a great deal.
I discuss that, as well as give details on the real Anna Leonowens, in my review of "The King and I." This documentary discusses the extensive section in the film that has a Siamese version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Jerome Robbins designed and choreographed that brilliant section for the original stage musical, and it was copied exactly for the film. Apparently, they continued to make changes as they were rehearsing the stage play opening right up to the off-Broadway test runs in Boston and New Haven, CT.
Broadway historian Laurence Maslon discussed the original stage musical that Gertrude Lawrence produced and starred in. He said that this is the first show that Rodgers and Hammerstein did "that had no American characters in it whatsoever." And, while Steven Suskin mentioned the origin from the book by Margaret Landon, and the 1946 film, "Anna and the King of Siam," he did not say how much "The King and I" varied from book and the first film. It varied a great deal.
I discuss that, as well as give details on the real Anna Leonowens, in my review of "The King and I." This documentary discusses the extensive section in the film that has a Siamese version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Jerome Robbins designed and choreographed that brilliant section for the original stage musical, and it was copied exactly for the film. Apparently, they continued to make changes as they were rehearsing the stage play opening right up to the off-Broadway test runs in Boston and New Haven, CT.