I Could Have Sung All Night: My Story

by Marni Nixon and Stephen Cole

Book Overview

Everyone knows Marni Nixon...with one of the best-known and best-loved singing voices in the world, Nixon dubbed songs for Natalie Wood in West Side Story, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Deborah... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823099687
• ISBN13: 9780823099689
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Billboard Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

The Grandest GHost

This marvelous memoir by the great movie "ghost" voice of Deborah Kerr (King & I),Audrey Hepburn (Fair Lady), and Natalie Wood (West Side Story) is a great read for anyone even remotely interested in vocal music, the theater, and the back-stage doings of Broadway and Hollywood. Gifted with absolute pitch, Ms. Nixon's bright soprano was heard in many phases of vocal music, from movies and Broadway to hyper-modern classical repertoire and full opera roles. She also had the ability to do any type of speech accent and to perfectly copy the vocal timbre of the person she was "ghosting." Sadly, she would remain virtually unknown to a large majority of the general public. Perhaps this autobiography will help rectify that situation. The book takes one through her childood involvement in music as a violinist and chorister from a musical family; her entry and climb in professional music circles; and her later battles to receive credit and remuneration for her movie "ghosting" work. It also deals with the problems that the music business poses for marriage and everyday life, and documents her two courageous battles with breast cancer. I would have liked to have at least a selective discography of her own work in the classical and show-tune fields, but one can't have everything. All told, a very enjoyable work. Highly recommended for musicians and music fans.

I Could Have Read All Night

Great walk through the 20th century. This woman's life arc hits all of the pioneering moments in musical entertainment from the great depression to present day. The back stories in Hollywood are a particular good read. At last there's a face and story to all of the great songs I've listened to over the years.

Lots of info

I had long known about Ms. Nixon's film work, dubbing for Deborah Kerr, Natalie Wood and Audrey Hepburn, but this memoir filled in a lot of gaps. I really enjoyed it.

Hollywood's most famous vocal "Ghost" appears in the shimmering flesh!

Marni Nixon's was one of those famous people who fascinated me from the moment I heard her story of being the vocal "ghost" in three of Hollywood's most remarkable musicals. Her's is a story I was waiting to hear, and with this great book, it was worth the wait. For anyone interested in musicals, Hollywood or performing, Ms. Nixon's wonderful book will be a boon. From her personal stories about Hollywood to her journey from singer to remarkable actress, the book is a wonderful read. Her story would make one of the most fascinating movie musicals ever. Part "Singing in the Rain" and part Hollywood Grimm's fairy tale, I want to see this story made into a movie musical. Anyone out there listening? Bravo to Ms. Nixon! Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I was completely enthralled as well as inspired.

My Fair and Wonderful Lady

"I Could Have Sung All Night" by Marni Nixon is a wonderful, enjoyable autobiography of her life. Marni Nixon has dubbed singers Audrey Hepburn (My Fair Lady), Deborah Kerr (The King and I), and to my surprise Natalie Wood (West Side Story). Growing up with these movie musicals I knew about Marni Nixon's dubbing in "My Fair Lady", but when reading the chapter on "West Side Story" regarding the dubbing for Natalie Wood, I was surprised. When watching West Side Story, I really thought it was Natalie Wood doing her own singing! Marni Nixon tells wonderful stories about her travels in Israel with Liberace, her stint with Victor Borge, and many other anecdotes. The book is a fun and entertaining read, and I could not put it down. Thank you Marni Nixon!