Sheilah Graham, in her book “The Real F. Scott Fitzgerald Thirty-Five Years Later” (Grosset & Dunlap, 1976), states on page 208: “One evening [1940], after a film preview, we were strolling on Hollywood Boulevard to the car park when we saw a small shop that advertised “Make your own records- hear yourself speak.” We went inside and Scott recorded four readings- I remember best Keat’s “Ode to a Nightingale” and something from Shakespeare’s Othello. When he presented it to me, I wrote on the center, “A new and better Barrymore.” Many years after his death when I played it, I was surprised at the deep professorial tone of his voice, much lower than it was in real life… The record was in the material Scott had given me, which I had presented to the Princeton University Library in 1959.” Probably made on the popular Wilcox-Gay self-making record machines in pre-tape recording days.
I have been a Fitzgerald fan since the Autumn of 2011, and i only came across this snippet about a month ago. I am eternally grateful to hear the voice of my favorite person to ever exist on planet earth. The first time i heard his voice, i was so close to shedding a tear. Beautiful, Scott.
I’m exactly the same! It’s been about 10 years since I’ve loved him and the first time I found this it was surreal. To finally hear the voice of one of my greatest idols and favourite people, still to this day, it gives me goosebumps! 😍
Chilling. And hard not to imagine what it might sound like to hear him read his own works. I wish I could hear him speak, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Like hearing Shakespeare’s voice…or Mozart’s. I always have his beautiful written words…but his voice? Never until now. It makes him real. Makes him somehow more human.
Ronald, being from the Midwest and an ancient English Major...YES, IT IS HIS VOICE. The Midwestern voice is the easiest to clear of any accent and impose another on....still this sounds very true to the time
Wow. I'm so glad that this was recorded. Its sad he was never interviewed on camera or on the radio that could have been recorded. He had a great voice, so totally American...
Austin Faulds in Zelda Fitzgerald’s biography, she also was surprised that he had a very deep, theatrical voice when she first met him. So maybe it’s not so far off?
@TheMelongrove Fitzgerald recorded these in 1940. Scottie and Sheilah Graham were with him when he recorded them. An account of the recording appears in Andrew Turnbull's biography. You can't hear the mid-west in his speech???
@TheMelongrove This is not a British accent. Also, accents change throughout time and a midwestern accent did not sound as it does today. Just watch any old movie and listen to their voices.
Not at all. "Great Gatsby" was great. But his other three novels were extremely mediocre. And most of his stories were hack work. I think people WANT him to be posthumously great to make them feel good. But he just wasn't "great."
@TheMelongrove Are you out of your mind? Do you honestly think a man from almost a century ago, of Scott's upbringing and education, would sound have the common, modern Midwestern accent?
Bet we can't wait to see the new movie version of "The Great Gatsby." Filmed in Australia and with a rock music soundtrack and also "music" by rapper Jay-Z. Are you kidding me?
It's curious to learn that F. Scott's novels in the 1930's failed to sell well.The Great Depression, when people were jobless and going hungry, reading about rich people partying and drinking didn't seem all that appealing.
Who is someone trying to kid? This is not the voice of F.Scott Fitzgerald who had a mid-western accent. It's some phony guy with a British accent. Many people will probably not know the difference.
Wonderful to hear his voice! Very calming and beautifully read!
His voice sounds just the way you would imagine it to sound.
Sheilah Graham, in her book “The Real F. Scott Fitzgerald Thirty-Five Years Later” (Grosset & Dunlap, 1976), states on page 208: “One evening [1940], after a film preview, we were strolling on Hollywood Boulevard to the car park when we saw a small shop that advertised “Make your own records- hear yourself speak.” We went inside and Scott recorded four readings- I remember best Keat’s “Ode to a Nightingale” and something from Shakespeare’s Othello. When he presented it to me, I wrote on the center, “A new and better Barrymore.” Many years after his death when I played it, I was surprised at the deep professorial tone of his voice, much lower than it was in real life… The record was in the material Scott had given me, which I had presented to the Princeton University Library in 1959.”
Probably made on the popular Wilcox-Gay self-making record machines in pre-tape recording days.
Thank you so much for that info.
Nice to know
Thank you for sharing with us !!
I have been a Fitzgerald fan since the Autumn of 2011, and i only came across this snippet about a month ago. I am eternally grateful to hear the voice of my favorite person to ever exist on planet earth. The first time i heard his voice, i was so close to shedding a tear. Beautiful, Scott.
I’m exactly the same! It’s been about 10 years since I’ve loved him and the first time I found this it was surreal. To finally hear the voice of one of my greatest idols and favourite people, still to this day, it gives me goosebumps! 😍
He's got a great speaking voice. Resonant and beautiful articulation.
My first time now. And I'm 😍
Scott's voice was so beautiful, it brings his many images to life...it's such a tragedy that he died so young.
I certainly have a notion to second THAT emotion !!
Amazing in that we can be privileged to hear this at ALL!
I agree 100 per cent !!
This is so rare, I'm so blessed to hear this amazing voice.
I heartily concur !
Chilling. And hard not to imagine what it might sound like to hear him read his own works. I wish I could hear him speak, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Hemingway is the one who dislikes the video.
Lol!
Ha ! That's rich !
Like hearing Shakespeare’s voice…or Mozart’s. I always have his beautiful written words…but his voice? Never until now. It makes him real. Makes him somehow more human.
What a wonderful voice this acclaimed author had ! Thank you VERY much for uploading for us to enjoy !
F scot fitzgerald? What did scot fitzgerald ever do to you?
lol
Nice
Ronald, being from the Midwest and an ancient English Major...YES, IT IS HIS VOICE. The Midwestern voice is the easiest to clear of any accent and impose another on....still this sounds very true to the time
i thought I heard just a hint of it lol!
I thought I heard a faint Irish lilt.
It's comforting to me being from Minnesota hearing FSFs rather broad flat Mdiwestern accent
It sounds like a voice that, in childhood, went from St. Paul to Buffalo and back. "...a friend that loved'er..."
I love his voice, it's full of love
"Full of love"?? In what way? He was a very harsh partner for all of his women, hardly "loving."
Wow. I'm so glad that this was recorded. Its sad he was never interviewed on camera or on the radio that could have been recorded. He had a great voice, so totally American...
Important 2 understand that this passage represents Fitz's essential theme - think Gatsby's wooing o Daisy in Louisville...
Thomas Martel Yes, good catch.
Thank you for sharing this.
Accents change each decade. 72 years ago, the American accent was far more non-rhotic than it is today.
Interesting how much of his twang he retained. Good speaking voice.
Beautifully read Wonderful to hear his voice A treasure. thanks so much!!
Guys, I've been feeling so bad lately, but you're all so happy here, thank you for that.
I could listen to him for hours
Same.
Scott's voice is surprisingly deep. I've heard Hemingway, too, and his voice was kind of high and reedy. Odd.
Austin Faulds in Zelda Fitzgerald’s biography, she also was surprised that he had a very deep, theatrical voice when she first met him. So maybe it’s not so far off?
Brilliant writer.
ASMR tingle vibes here
Wow! The voice of a genius & yeah Jenny Muga, Hemingway would prob dislike this
A helluva fella reads Othello in a mellow way. And this Scot says "Great Scott! Great work, Scott!"
@TheMelongrove Fitzgerald recorded these in 1940. Scottie and Sheilah Graham were with him when he recorded them. An account of the recording appears in Andrew Turnbull's biography. You can't hear the mid-west in his speech???
The F Scott Fitzgerald Centenary website has these recordings.
this is so true.
@TheMelongrove This is not a British accent. Also, accents change throughout time and a midwestern accent did not sound as it does today. Just watch any old movie and listen to their voices.
2021 anyone?
where did this recording come from?
He sounds much older than him being in his forties
America’s greatest novelist
Not at all. "Great Gatsby" was great. But his other three novels were extremely mediocre. And most of his stories were hack work. I think people WANT him to be posthumously great to make them feel good. But he just wasn't "great."
@TheMelongrove Are you out of your mind? Do you honestly think a man from almost a century ago, of Scott's upbringing and education, would sound have the common, modern Midwestern accent?
Good reader :}}
Bet we can't wait to see the new movie version of "The Great Gatsby." Filmed in Australia and with a rock music soundtrack and also "music" by rapper Jay-Z. Are you kidding me?
Despite his high points, he also slurs constantly. I like Fitzgerald as a writer, but this is not a good reading at all.
It's curious to learn that F. Scott's novels in the 1930's failed to sell well.The Great Depression, when people were jobless and going hungry, reading about rich people partying and drinking didn't seem all that appealing.
Seems to have trouble with the "s" sound.
Yes but he was drinking heavily too...no matter...still wonderful
Yes, but is it really his voice? A first edition of The Great Gatsby in good condition, can fetch as much as $300,000.
He's drunk (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Who is someone trying to kid? This is not the voice of F.Scott Fitzgerald who had a mid-western accent. It's some phony guy with a British accent. Many people will probably not know the difference.
Because he's reading Shakespeare.Many people put on a slight English accent to read Shakespeare. His Midwestern accent is very obvious to me.