A Matt Monro Experience in Seattle

[Bill Hare]

After viewing Alfred Hitchcock's gream film "Vertigo" in 70 mm in downtown Seattle I went for an early dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants anywhere, Il Fornaio, located just a few blocks from the theatre.

The same young man who works there Sunday afternoons and provides unfailingly excellent service is a theatre arts student at Cornish College in Seattle. Just as I was finishing my meal and we were chatting Matt Monro's great "From Russia With Love" number began playing.

This young man is in his very early twenties and I immediately told him about Matt Monro. He replied with quick, brisk enthusiasm:

"Yes, I listen to Matt Monro. I think he's great!"

I then told him about the Matt Monro Group along with Matt's fascinating background. He was particularly fascinated about Matt as London's "Singing Bus Driver" and he then told me with surprise that he had thought that Matt Monro was an American singer.

My response was that at one time I thought so as well. Whereas you can detect a British accent with The Beatles, Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark and you can tell from hearing Tony Bennett that he is from New York City, with Matt Monro, at least from the perspective of an American who grew up in Los Angeles as I did, I could not detect an accent from hearing Matt sing. Since I have a California accent and when I speak hardly anyone who hears me can peg the area I came from, I thought that Matt might be from Southern California since so many vocalists at one point lived there and many for all or most of their lives.

I learned about Matt's British roots when I read an article in the Los Angeles Times where the journalist told some interesting details that gave me background on Mr. Monro's fascinating life.

In any event, the fact that Matt had what to certains ears anyway could sound like a very mellow Southern California voice type might well have created a feeling of familiarity that could have helped him sell singles and albums throughout America. His voice carries with it an international tone as befitting of his deserved international status as a singer for the U.K., the U.S., Europe and elsewhere around the globe.

Then again, I just read recently where Matt Monro and family did live for a time in America and I would guess that the Monros resided in the Los Angeles area.

All the best,

Bill Hare

[Gray]

Bill

Fantastic post, really enjoyed reading it.

As well as being a huge Matt Monro fan, I also have extolled the virtues of the 70mm print of Vertigo on this very forum!

I live but an hours drive from the National Media Museum here in England, it has an excellent theatre fully equipped to show 70mm and 3 strip Cinerama (and all the other formats also).

Thanks again for a great post.

[Bill Hare]

for your kind response. Yorkshire is a place in my heart since my friend the great director Ken Annakin comes from there, as does that great actor James Mason, someone whose performances I so greatly admire.

I am delighted that you have access to a theatre near you to gain the wonders of the 70 mm experience. I am delighted that after "Vertigo" we will be getting "This Is Cinerama" at the theatre and after that "How the West was Won" which was one of the early successful Cinerama hits, and which, like "Vertigo", has the same great James Stewart in it.

Keep on viewing great 70 mm films since they enrich fans who appreciate a vividly enriching creative experience and meanwhile we will keep listening to the musical genius of Matt Monro!

All the best to you and your family,

Bill