Does anyone know why Dennis Morgan's serviceable singing voice was dubbed by Allan Jones' voice in the "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" sequence in The Great Ziegfeld? I realize that Jones had a higher profile than Morgan at this time in his career, but their voices seem to have been quite similar in quality and it couldn't have done either of their careers much good to have this decision made by MGM. Thanks in advance for any info.
share[deleted]
This is only a guess on my part, but in 1936, Universal released "Showboat" (directed by James Whale) with Allan Jones as Gaylord Ravenal. Either Mr. Jones was unavailable for the actual filming of the "Pretty Girl" number due to the filming of "Showboat", or MGM didn't want to advertise a star of another musical from a competing studio! So,I think for either (or both!) reason(s), Dennis Morgan (then still known under his real name of Stanley Morner) was substituted. Ironically, Dennis Morgan did many a musical (at Warners) in his own right, and his own singing voice!
shareAlan Jones's voice often reminds me of the voice of Harry Stockwell which was used in Snow White (1937) when he played the Prince. Their voices sound similar!
shareHere is my guess.... it took several weeks to build the set, rehearse and stage the number. It's very possible that the music was already dubbed with Allan Jones' voice when they hired Dennis Morgan. It would have been pointless to re-record Morgans voice with orchestra, etc. Especially when Morgan was not yet a star. It's just a guess, however.
"Forget it Jake, it's Chinatown!"