I Feel Pretty - Natalie Wood 's own voice - Jet Song - Russ Tamblyn 's own voice - West Side Story

Here are partial tracks for Natalie and Russ, which were used during filming. Natalie sang to this track while filming, but I only had a piano/vocal track. I stripped out Marni Nixon (who later replaced Natalie's voice entirely in the film) and added the orchestra. Why they dubbed Russ Tamblyn, I don't know -- I think he sounds great!

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."