MovieChat Forums > Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1975) Discussion > Did Ellen actually sang?

Did Ellen actually sang?

posted 16 years ago by danielboy_54
7 replies | jump to latest

Hi, I'm just wondering, did she really sang and played piano for this? If she did, she's got a lovely singing voice :)

[–] WarpedRecord 16 years ago

That's definitely her singing, and she did a wonderful job, didn't she? I'm not sure about the piano playing, but I suspect it's not her.

[–] clark_kent_10 15 years ago

on page 291 of Ellen Burstyn's memoir "Lessons in Becoming Myself", published in 2006, she says she did her "own singing and piano playing in the film with a lot help and augmentation."

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

I'm looking at that passage in her book now, and you're right. I assume the "augmentation" was for her piano playing, not her voice. And if her piano player was augmented, wouldn't it have been easier just to have someone else tickling the ivories? She described the final cut as a "patch job of different takes" and says Alice didn't have to be a great singer – just passable.

I guess Ellen was determined to try. Her voice is certainly much better than mine!

[–] srklondie 13 years ago

I've had a crush on her for a whole lot of years and a lot of it has to do with her [ speaking ] voice. However, I agree with you about her singing. She did real justice to that song.

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

I know Ellen doesn't consider herself a singer, but I'd love if she did a one-woman show that included monologues and vocals at this point in her career. She's a lovely woman with a lovely voice, whether she's speaking or singing.

[–] nevilleestepona 13 years ago

I think the way Ellen performed "Where or When" was exceptional.
She has such an underrated voice and it is so haunting and natural.
Every time I hear her singing it my eyes well up.
I've looked everywhere for it including Amazon & Spotify, but it doesn't
seem to exist. Luckily, I have the dvd.
If you haven't heard it, or was out making a cup of tea when it was on,
give yourself a treat & watch/listen. It is near the start of the film.
Nevilleestepona

[–] sansradio 11 years ago

Yes, indeed. Burstyn's singing voice reminds me of Blossom Dearie's--winsome, girlish, light as a feather. Truly a joy.

Helga, I'm not mad at you; I'm mad at the dirt.