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I Didn't Know You Could Sing! Actors in Singing Roles Clint Eastwood in "Paint Your Wagon" Some performers such as Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra and Jennifer Hudson can do it all, whether it be singing, dancing or acting. During Hollywood's Golden Age, those who were blessed with acting skills but were short on musical ones, had their singing voices dubbed by others, such as the legendary Marni Nixon. However, some stars have instead opted to share their musical talents with audiences. This month's The Screening Room highlights films where actors took on singing roles and the very mixed results that followed.
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90th Academy Awards Sunday, March 4 7:00 p.m. ABC Television Free Movies at the Library No more waiting in long lines at the theater or on long hold lists at the library to see a new movie. Join fellow movie lovers each month for a screening of a new movie release.
"Darkest Hour" Rated PG-13 Sunday, March 4 2:00 p.m. Nichols Library 200 West Jefferson
"Justice League" Rated PG-13 Saturday, March 17 2:00 p.m. 95th Street Library 3015 Cedar Glade Drive
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The Buddy Holly Story
This 1978 film is based on the life of Buddy Holly, the 1950's rock musician from Lubbock, Texas, who changed rock'n'roll history. While all the film's actors did their own singing and played their own instruments, star Gary Busey received wide acclaim, and an Oscar® nomination for his portrayal of Buddy Holly. Rated PG.
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Coal Miner's Daughter /Sissy Spacek won an Academy Award® for her portrayal of country singer Loretta Lynn. In order to prepare for the role, Spacek accompanied Lynn on tour. Co-star Beverly D"Angelo also did her own singing for her portrayal of Patsy Cline and was awarded a Golden Globe®. Rated PG.
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Crazy Heart /An aging dysfunctional country musician (Jeff Bridges in an Academy Award® winning role) finds himself falling in love with a newspaper journalist who wants to write a story about him for her paper. While Jeff Bridges had previously released an album of music, Colin Farrell's singing talent was unknown and was not discovered until he began work on the film. Rated R.
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The Doors
Oliver Stone directed this 1991 film about Jim Morrison and the musical group which typified the 1960s. Star Val Kilmer's singing voice is so close to that of the late rock star that his surviving bandmates could not tell it apart from Morrison's. Rated R.
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Good News
This musical comedy is about two college girls in love with the same guy, but for different reasons. The 1947 film features June Allyson and Peter Lawford. Lawford later commented that he didn't consider himself a singer, but had to make the film when it was assigned to him by MGM. Unrated.
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Mamma Mia!
After reading her mother's diary, Sophie discovers she has three possible fathers, so she secretly invites them all to her wedding at her mother's hotel on a Greek island. While Meryl Streep received passing grades by critics for her singing, her co-star Pierce Brosnan's singing was savaged in numerous film reviews. Rated PG-13.
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Paint Your Wagon
This film features the story of a goldmining boom town centering on the work-and-play partnership of two miners (Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood) and the wife (Jean Seberg) they share. While Seberg's voice was dubbed, Marvin and Eastwood did their own singing. The resulting movie was given a chapter in Harry and Michael Medved's 1984 book, The Hollywood Hall of Shame. Rated PG-13.
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The Runaways
The film is based on the true story of an all-girl teenage rock band, the Runaways, finding fame during the 1970s. In order to prepare for her role, Kristen Stewart worked closely with Runaways vocalist and guitarist Joan Jett to the point where Jett mistook a recording of Stewart's singing as her own. However, the film itself received only mildly positive reviews. Rated R.
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TommyKen Russell directed this 1975 film version of the successful rock opera about a boy who witnesses the murder of his father by his mother and her lover. He becomes deaf, dumb and blind, and as he grows, he is taken to various experts for cures. The film features noted singers such as Ann-Margret, Elton John, Tina Turner, and Eric Clapton. The cast also includes Oliver Reed and Jack Nicholson. Reed had great difficulty recording his parts and could only do so in small segments while Nicholson had no difficulty in singing his role. Rated PG.
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Walk the Line
The story of Johnny Cash and June Carter, their life, love and career together. Stars Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix took six months of singing lessons to prepare for their roles. Witherspoon received an Academy Award® for her performance. Rated PG-13.
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