I don’t think there’s any doubt that Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s standard is clearly among the very best pure love songs ever written. Below are two movie performances of “My Funny Valentine” from people we don’t ordinarily think of as musical performers.
From the 1957 film version of “Pal Joey,” below Kim Novak (“Vertigo“) mesmerizes Frank Sinatra as a worried Rita Hayworth steps in.
Those vocals were actually supplied by singer Trudy Erwin. Matt Damon, however, supplies his own voice for a very not-bad version from 1999’s terrific “The Talented Mr. Ripley.”
The Damon/Guy Barker Quartet version of the Rodgers & Hart masterpiece is somewhat inspired by Chet Baker’s classic recording of the tune, which you can hear here.
UPDATE: Roger Ebert takes a slightly similar tack. Great minds think alike, or something.
