Expert: Jim Tompkins-MacLaine - 3/16/2006

Question
I have been trying to find out for years the man who performs the Cole Porter songs featured in the movie Sleuth - 1974, directed by Joseph Mankiewicz, with Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier: You do something to me, Just one of those things and Anything goes. The movie opening and ending credits only mention Music&Lyrics Cole Porter next to these three song titles. The movie soundtrack also does not include these songs, only the music composed and conducted by John Addison. I have listened to internet samples of these songs sung by various artists, but have not found a conclusive match, not even that it would be Cole Porter himself. The voice of the man singing supposedly on radio in the movie is warm and melodious, whereas Cole Porter's is a higher pitched one, though I can't tell for sure. Can you help with the mystery guy?

Answer
That is very frustrating!!!! Here's what I would do. . .

Find out which company produced the film. . .Universal, Paramount, whatever. Find their website and e mail your question to them. They should have a research staff that can find out this information for you. I wish I could help you more. I am a huge Cole Porter fan, and love the movie Sleuth as well.

By the way, if you haven't seen "DeLovely" yet, make sure you do. Look for the handsome young man who sings "Night and Day" and then has a fling with Porter. The actor's name is John Barrowman and he is a friend of mine! He also appears in "The Producers" as the main stormtrooper who sings "Springtime for Hitler."

I hope this information is at least a little helpful for you!

Jim