The NYT today runs an interesting op-ed piece by Gary Giddins that starts with Ashlee Simpson's empty-orchestra mishap but soon takes a far more interesting turn toward the history of lip-syncing in Hollywood film.
Oh yeah, and foot-dubbing:
Hollywood was dubbing more than vocals; feet-dubbers were also in demand, to match dance steps to scenes in which the dancers were filmed without sound. One of the best of them, Miriam Nelson, has told of dubbing the tap routine of a famous star with famously bad timing. Ms. Nelson asked the director if she should duplicate the star's taps or follow the music. The director told her to follow the music, explaining that if the audience heard the correct taps it would buy the illusion that the star was on point.
Fun fact to know and shout: Fred Astaire insisted that his numbers be shot in medium and long shots that showed his entire body while he danced for precisely that reason.
