Stanwyck Sings!

We mentioned a few days ago in the post about “The Man with the Cloak” (1951), that Barbara Stanwyck sings in one scene where she entertains at a party.

This former New York showgirl may not have had the range or vocal power of Ethel Merman (few did), but because Stanwyck is a delight to watch in everything else she did, her singing scenes are also a pleasant insight into the can-do attitude of this gusty actress.

Author Ella Smith notes in her “Starring Miss Barbara Stanwyck” (Crown Publishing, Inc., NY, c. 1985) that Miss Stanwyck also does her own singing in “Banjo on My Knee” (1936), “This is My Affair” (1937), and “Lady of Burlesque” (1943).

She is dubbed by other singers in “Ball of Fire” (1941), and “California” (1947). Ella Smith also writes that her “The Man with the Cloak” is dubbed, but I’ve read differently elsewhere. If she is dubbed here, it’s an awfully good match-up to her voice. I’d love to hear from anyone who knows more and can set us straight.

Below are a couple of clips of Barbara Stanwyck singing, first in “Banjo on My Knee” in a duet with Tony Martin, followed by “Lady of Burlesque”. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page first and mute the music so you can hear these clips.