That new commercial (forget what about) plays her recording of "Getting to Know You". I looked her up on UA-cam, not knowing she originated the governess's role in the "King and I" and I must confess, have fallen in love with her. Like to read a good biography about her. Charming star from long ago......from long ago.....where we all be from someday, so it is nice to remember one who was so popular once. Here's to you lovely Miss Lawrence!
20th Century Fox gave Gertrude Lawrence an option to make a stage musical of the film ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM. She and her agent found thru way eventually to Rodgers and Hammerstein to not only produce it but write it. She had a very lucrative contract: 10% ofvthe gross, 5% ofvthe net and guarantee ofvthe film role if a movie musical was made (she had one of the highest percentages of stage works adapted to film but never did the films herself.). There was trouble casting the role of the king and concerns about her singing. However the show was a huge hit and she won the Tony Award as Best Actress. Yul Brynner received the award for Best Supporting Actor as the role is a supporting one. HOWEVER, Anna Leonowens went to Siam as a SCHOOL TEACHER, not a governess. There is footage from an Ed Sullivan show where she performs “I Whistle a Happy Tune” and “Getting to Know You”. It was her idea to have a song with the children.
You might want to watch the movie, STAR! about Gertrude Lawrence with Julie Andrews playing the role of Gertrude Lawrence. But Gertrude Lawrence had a very limited vocal range, which is certainly not a problem with Julie Andres. Gertrude Lawrence would die of Cancer while in the run playing the role of Anna in the Oscar Hammerstein/Richard Rogers Broadway Musical, THE KING AND I.
This was my step grandmother. I’m the daughter of Elizabeth Emma boyd and my grandfather Richard Aldrich was Gertrude Lawrence previous husband before she died. I’m just learning now about my family history and who Gertrude really was. Is there a way for me to watch “star!”? It’s a movie about her and my grandfather. Or information about her would be appreciated. My mom was humble about her upbringing and I had no idea about the impact she had. I was a ballet dancer all throughout my life and never understood why I was the only one in my family who danced but now I feel I have more answers.
She wasn't the best singer in the world (Kurt Weill said she had the greatest vocal range between C and C Flat") but she made up for it with tonnes of style and glamour! She was the greatest stage star of the 20s, 30 and 40s!
@@MOBROOKS But comes close to the truth. Twittery voices were better suited to the English music hall than Broadway. Lawrence's range is very limited and her voice unsupported. Just my opinion. Watch her in Mimi (1935) and The Glass Menagerie (1950) for proof that she was unable to tone down her stage performances to suit the more intimate medium of the movies. Her overacting is embarrassing.
Having just finished reading Sheridan Morley's excellent bio on Miss Lawrence (1981, McGraw-Hill) I had to listen to her sing one of her signature tunes...and am moved to tears. Thanks so much for keeping her memory alive.
Quite often the folks who get the furthest in showbusiness are not perfect technically. So to those who have commented that Gertrude Lawrence sometimes sang out of tune yes indeed she did , but she transcended that and for decades was capable of putting songs across live in the theatre several performances per week. Composers were only too happy in general to have her headlining their shows or promoting their songs despite the odd barbed comment. She was not only glamorous , but clearly a great communicator and audiences adored her. She knew how to touch the heart. I wonder how many audience members asked for their money back just because she could sing a bit out of tune? I don't think many somehow as they were under her spell ! Furthermore her presence kept shows open rather than closing them so there is proof of her magic. An extraordinary , magnetic performer.
Thank you for this beautiful video. Wonderful song and glorious photos. It made me painfully aware that all the brilliance, lustre and true artistic genius have gone. She and Noel and countless others of their era have found no equal since.
Others thought the same! She apparently had a very limited vocal range. But those very limitations made the strength of the words & music do the work of putting the song over. It is sort of ironic, that in biopic, Star, the story of Gertrude Lawrence where Julie Andrews pays the role of Gertrude Lawrence, Julie Andrews did NOT have a limited vocal range.
That new commercial (forget what about) plays her recording of "Getting to Know You". I looked her up on UA-cam, not knowing she originated the governess's role in the "King and I" and I must confess, have fallen in love with her. Like to read a good biography about her. Charming star from long ago......from long ago.....where we all be from someday, so it is nice to remember one who was so popular once. Here's to you lovely Miss Lawrence!
Check out "A Star Danced", her autobiography, and "Gertrude Lawrence as Mrs. A" by her husband, Richard Stoddard Aldrich.
The "King and I" was originally produced and designed around Gertrude Lawrence as the star; then, the rest fell into place.
@@valeriesmith5780 is hejhkljh+lhj
20th Century Fox gave Gertrude Lawrence an option to make a stage musical of the film ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM. She and her agent found thru way eventually to Rodgers and Hammerstein to not only produce it but write it. She had a very lucrative contract: 10% ofvthe gross, 5% ofvthe net and guarantee ofvthe film role if a movie musical was made (she had one of the highest percentages of stage works adapted to film but never did the films herself.). There was trouble casting the role of the king and concerns about her singing. However the show was a huge hit and she won the Tony Award as Best Actress. Yul Brynner received the award for Best Supporting Actor as the role is a supporting one.
HOWEVER, Anna Leonowens went to Siam as a SCHOOL TEACHER, not a governess.
There is footage from an Ed Sullivan show where she performs “I Whistle a Happy Tune” and “Getting to Know You”. It was her idea to have a song with the children.
You might want to watch the movie, STAR! about Gertrude Lawrence with Julie Andrews playing the role of Gertrude Lawrence. But Gertrude Lawrence had a very limited vocal range, which is certainly not a problem with Julie Andres. Gertrude Lawrence would die of Cancer while in the run playing the role of Anna in the Oscar Hammerstein/Richard Rogers Broadway Musical, THE KING AND I.
Gertrude, I've never felt what I'm feeling right now, my sweet friend, my star in the firmament!
I hope someday I will find someone to watch over me.
This was my step grandmother. I’m the daughter of Elizabeth Emma boyd and my grandfather Richard Aldrich was Gertrude Lawrence previous husband before she died. I’m just learning now about my family history and who Gertrude really was. Is there a way for me to watch “star!”? It’s a movie about her and my grandfather. Or information about her would be appreciated. My mom was humble about her upbringing and I had no idea about the impact she had. I was a ballet dancer all throughout my life and never understood why I was the only one in my family who danced but now I feel I have more answers.
Went to see a local show about her life last night. Now intrigued. What a lovely history you have.
What a lovely video. Thank you!
As we know she was never the greatest singer and most of us never saw her on stage. But she clearly had something to stay on top for so long.
She wasn't the best singer in the world (Kurt Weill said she had the greatest vocal range between C and C Flat") but she made up for it with tonnes of style and glamour! She was the greatest stage star of the 20s, 30 and 40s!
Very "catty" of the ole kraut to say that; perhaps he owed her some money.
That’s one hell of dig.
Hahahaha
@@MOBROOKS But comes close to the truth. Twittery voices were better suited to the English music hall than Broadway. Lawrence's range is very limited and her voice unsupported. Just my opinion. Watch her in Mimi (1935) and The Glass Menagerie (1950) for proof that she was unable to tone down her stage performances to suit the more intimate medium of the movies. Her overacting is embarrassing.
A unique voice and most attractive
Sooooooooooo beautiful version. I'm almost speechless❤😊
Miss Lawrence handles high keys so beautifully with her characteristic voice. What a lady!
I love Gertrude Lawrence .....have the Movie "STAR" her story staring Julie Andrews great movie always been one of my top 10 movies
Having just finished reading Sheridan Morley's excellent bio on Miss Lawrence (1981, McGraw-Hill) I had to listen to her sing one of her signature tunes...and am moved to tears. Thanks so much for keeping her memory alive.
funnyman, what is the title of the book which you've just mentioned?
I'd love to read it
A fine rendition with the slow pace the song deserves. Love the photos.
+Steven Torrey I think this may be the original version of the song. At least, Gertrude Lawrence was the first person to sing the song on stage.
Another song that is s'wonderful.
Quite often the folks who get the furthest in showbusiness are not perfect technically. So to those who have commented that Gertrude Lawrence sometimes sang out of tune yes indeed she did , but she transcended that and for decades was capable of putting songs across live in the theatre several performances per week. Composers were only too happy in general to have her headlining their shows or promoting their songs despite the odd barbed comment. She was not only glamorous , but clearly a great communicator and audiences adored her. She knew how to touch the heart. I wonder how many audience members asked for their money back just because she could sing a bit out of tune? I don't think many somehow as they were under her spell ! Furthermore her presence kept shows open rather than closing them so there is proof of her magic. An extraordinary , magnetic performer.
Thank you for this beautiful video. Wonderful song and glorious photos. It made me painfully aware that all the brilliance, lustre and true artistic genius have gone. She and Noel and countless others of their era have found no equal since.
The genius is still there, it's just of a different stripe: Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand Lennon & McCartney etc.
Einfach nur schön, wunderbare Zeit war das.
What a sweet, dear soul! I love the very high octave she sings this in!
which range is that,B?
Curious
Beautifully sung, with such delicate, fragile feeling.
Very nice Bill, I really like these female vocalists.
Pax41 Music Time Machine j 1923 talking movie
how drop-dead CHARMING !
she is wonderful artist
Thank you so much for posting this.
I love this
Thanks for enlightening - a tragic end indeed
Wow.
Thanks for the upload.
Delicious!
if you watch the movie Star it hits on all that
magic
Its the Original version of the song from the musical Oh Kay introduced by Gertrude Lawrence in 1928.
Her voice wasnt greag but what a great artist she was!!!
what was miss lawrence's range? this song sounds very good when it's sang in the soprano rnage.
I’m surprised she inserts the words “And yet” into the verse.
Gertrude Lawrence sounded like singing Hen
Others thought the same! She apparently had a very limited vocal range. But those very limitations made the strength of the words & music do the work of putting the song over. It is sort of ironic, that in biopic, Star, the story of Gertrude Lawrence where Julie Andrews pays the role of Gertrude Lawrence, Julie Andrews did NOT have a limited vocal range.
And it sound like Julie Andrews
Hens must be good singers then.
@@StevenTorreyJust a limited acting talent.
She would never make today with that voice
Class singer. She died relatively young - do we know why?
Liver Cancer.
@@antoniod aw :(
The photo at 1:45 is of Gertie & Larry Olivier? :-)
You are correct!
Original Cast of PRIVATE LIVES from 1931
OITNB :)
Does anyone know what key this song is in?
UTUBE COME RAIN OR COME SHINE BY JOHN BAVAS
American Dad, shower scene.
Tiny Tim
Eternally flat!
Let's get you into the gym, Ms. Lawrence, do somethink for those stick arms...
LOL, but she seemed so elegant and yet next-door-neighbor simple at the time.
baby, this was the 20s ( the jazz age) and alll of the women who hadn't had any children by then were that thin