WHV Press Release: Camelot 45th Anniversary Blu-ray Book - Page 2

The dubbed in voice of Lancelot was disappointing for me. Merlino may have been a fine singer, but his voice wasn't right for that role, IMHO. Nor am I saying that Redgrave isn't a good actress, but why didn't they go the My Fair Lady route and dub her? I would not have cast Margret. Keep them both but dub in voices appropriate to the parts. Those two roles required better voices than what was supplied. But, that's just my opinion.

You are right - Redgrave's voice was weak

I think Jack Warner was afraid to dub Redgrave after the "My Fair Lady" incident 

 

Nero wasn't known so it wasn't really a problem

 

Julie would have done the film if Burton agreed, but Burton only wanted to make films with Liz at the time.  Jack did ask them both before anyone else (He bought the property For Burton in 1961)them

 

Actually the iconic Peak illustrations were used for the New York roadshow at the Warner Theatre. I was in New York on vacation with my parents the week the movie opened. On footage of the opening night ( current CAMELOT DVD issue), the Peak illustration is shown as guests arrive for the premiere. There was also an enormous billboard a few blocks north that took up one corner of a building in the heart of Times Square. On the other side was 20th century Fox's billboard for their Christmas release, VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. . The next summer, CAMELOT opened in a hard ticket. reserved seat engagement in my hometown Springfield, Mo (alas no blow up 70MM just 35 MM) and the poster art was the Peak illustration. Thanks to the person who posted the full page NY Times mail order ad. I remember saving that ad from the Sunday Times. That was the only time I recall seeing that particular ad for this movie during the road show engagement. Wonder if it was used for Los Angeles? very excited about the blu ray news. Have always loved this movie, warts and all.

All kindsof strange info here.

Many dubbers were tested for Nero and Merlino was chosen because his singing voice sounded enough like Neros speaking voice.

Dubbing was mostly not considered for the leads as the vocals were to be recorded live - not prerecorded.

Alfred Newman and Ken darby said this would be nearly impossible, especiallly as the leads were really no singers.

It didn't qjuite qork out that way.

Harris and Redgrave were brought nto the studio, to give the best inflections and interpretations for each song, with a piano recorded on another track.

Once both got the interpretations they thought best, their vocals were thrown away and only the piano track was kept. this track was to used during filming with the vocalists, singing live to the recorded piano that had been used for their vocals.

this would have been tough to do at any time.

Franco Nero was dubbed but he only had two songs - Cest Moi and If Ever I Would Leave You.

So filming starts and these folks can not sing very well to this piano only track.
Sop they shot the songs ni small segments, knowing that they would have to post dub all vocals, once back at the studio.

Indeed, all of the vocals were dubbed onto the piano track to match the fiml, months later.
THEN, Alfred Newman had to match his orchestra to the vocal tracks.

Changes were made along the way. Originally , the song, I loved you once in Silence was to be sung only by Redgrave, Gene Merlino came in to lay in just the Nero tracks for the song months later. When filming this, Redgrave sang live and Nero lip synched !!!

Anyway, alfred Newman and Ken Darby worked for months and months while Alfred had to write the background score - they got an Academy award for it.

Lets hope Warner vid doesn't screw up this soundtrack again !!!!

The Peak art was used for the UK roadshow release but dropped from the general release. That along with a few songs!