She played the part in "Pygmalion" in the early forties with Raymond Massey. Now Gertie's singing voice was much more limited in range and steadiness than Julie Andrews' pristine soprano. Irene Dunne played Anna Leonowens in the film "Anna and the King of Siam" which predated and inspired "The King and I". The film script provided a model for the musical's book. Dunne had a good soprano voice, she could have done the musical as well.
