Which Song Won the Oscar for 1935

 

I can’t believe this is 90 years ago because, back in the 70s, when I was a kid, I watched all these old movies which were only 40 years old at that time. They were made when the studios were king, the stars were bigger than life and , to this day, are still big but were in black and white ( mostly) and had to abide by the censorship laws. Now,,, holy crappola, 40 years ago is 1985! I was partying, in university, made some great friends but, to me the movies are modern…the studio system is no more, the stars, well, are different from the classic stars of yesteryear, almost all the movies are made in colour and no more censorship. They are not much different between then and now, except for music and clothing. 

Ok, over at Monday Music Moves Me, it is freebie week and it’s my week to take a year and see if you can guess, which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which got nuttin! On with the show…

1. CHEEK TO CHEEK WITH FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS

Let’s hope I picked. Video that works. This is a beautiful song and this dance is sublime. It’s considered one of the all time best ever shot on the screen. I would dream that I would dance like that. It was composed by Irving Berlin. Ginger Rogers helped design the dress and Fred Astaire hated it because the feathers went flying everywhere. Ginger stood her ground so the Costume Dept. Sewed in each feather and, thankfully, the dress stayed. I hope you enjoyed watching this.

2. LULLABY OF BROADWAY SUNG BY WINNIE SHAW

 There were a few movies made Startin with Golddiggers and this one is called, ready?, Golddiggers of 1935. Winnie Shaw introduced this song composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Al Dubin. This is a famous song that has been done by more than one artist since it's inception.

3. BROADWAY RHYTHM SUNG BY FRANCES LANGFORD.

This great song was written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown for the film, wait for it, Golddiggers of 1936.  I hope I chose a video with dancing since the others show it. I first heard this song when I watched "Singing in Rain.' It's such a great musical but I didn't know it was an older song.

So which one was  the Oscar winner, which was nominated and which was nadda on both?

Who Should Have Won The Oscar for Best Score-1955

 

The Oscar season is heating up with films that I have, mostly, not seen…lol. I hope to remedy that but, right now, with Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I thought I would pick a score that should not have won, even though I like it. I chose the year, 1955 because of the big romantic winner but, I don’t think they should have won. The one, I believe, should have won is the first one I mention here…

1. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM BY ELMER BERNSTEIN

This soundtrack was nominated but failed to win despite the great Jazz that is throughout the film and helps make this film even more popular despite the dismal plot. It is very well acted starring Frank Sinatra as a small time hood who gets back into drugs and under the thumb of his former, sleazy dealers. He has a wife, paralyzed from a car accident with Sinatra behind the wheel and a young woman who actually believes in him played by Kim Novak. I love the poster art of this film, the acting and that stellar soundtrack that I hope I can find one day.

2.  SUMMERTIME BY ALESSANDRO CICOGNINI

This is a great soundtrack that was not even nominated! It really gives you that longing to travel to Venice and has that romantic feel of the film. It stars Katherine Hepburn as a spinster teacher on her once in a lifetime visit to Venice, something she only dreamed about. She does not expect a romance but romance is what she gets in the beefcake of the 50s, Rossano Brazzi. He notices her legs, at first, but soon he locks eyes with Kate who quickly looks away and begins to be all nervous. Soon enough, he is wooing her and she is willing to be enchanted by him. Throughout you have this music that just adds to the romance. I really love this David Lean film which is thoroughly enchanting.

3. LOVE IS A MANY-SPLENDORED THING BY ALFRED NEWMAN

No, not Alfred E. Newman from Mad Magazine fame but the esteemed composer Alfred Newman who wrote many great scores including this one although Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster wrote  the song. Alfred developed the score to the magnitude to fit the film. I watched this movie a long time ago and found it boring as dirt. You had the boring Jennifer Jones as a Chinese doctor who falls in love with the American reporter, William Holden. She is widowed and he is separated from his wife, they meet and fall in love much to the displeasure of her family and his friends…you know, racism. Today, you would never have a white gal play an Eurasian but this was the nifty 50s who never thought of hiring an actual Asian actress besides, due to actual racist feelings, you could not have Holden kiss an actual Asian woman. This music is throughout the film and the song became a huge hit that has been sung by many people since then. This score won the Oscar and I do like it very much but it’s just not up to par with the Bernstein score. Funny, that, offscreen, Holden and Jones couldn’t stand each other. She was quite snotty to the staff, hated her makeup because she felt it made her look old and she didn’t want to act with Holden who was known to be a womanizer. She even ate raw garlic before their love scenes to make it difficult for Holden. At one point, Holden bought white roses as a peace offering but she threw them back in his face…lovely. 

So, do you agree with me? Which do you prefer or would you have chosen another score? 

Be My Valentine

 

Valentine’s Day is on Friday so this week one has the option to find a song with Valentine’s Day or the colour Red. I’m going towards Valentine’s Day with Love as the emphasis. You have to check out Curious As a Cathy who always showcases the weekly music series on Mondays..but I always post on Wednesday. We are supposed to be receiving a bad storm Wednesday afternoon into the night and Thursday with rain, freezing rain and snow…who know what we will receive, probably all 3. Thankfully, my hubby will be picking me up from work tomorrow night. Without further adieu, here are my 3 musical picks…

1. WILL YOU REMEMBER SUNG BY JEANETTE MACDONALD AND NELSON EDDY-1937

These 2 were the singing sweethearts and were a huge hit from 1935 to 1942. Their stardom, together, was brief but very memorable, at least to film buffs. This film, “Maytime” is considered their best and it was the first one I watched as a kid and I was hooked. This was my mushy romance that I could not get enough of. This song, written by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Rida Johnson Young became very famous and seem to exemplify love. Funny, when I was young, I read that the 2 stars did not get along but now, it seemed they had a huge love affair that the studio ( MGM) did not like and did their best ( successfully) to keep them apart. Truthfully, that makes no sense as it would make them even more famous if the 2 were in love. I bet MGM would have made even more money and that was their bottom line.

2.  BE CAREFUL, IT’S MY HEART SUNG BY  BING CROSBY-1942

This song, written by Irving Berlin, was supposed to be the big winner of the film, not the little Christmas ditty, “White Christmas”, but, boy, were they wrong. Bing owns an Inn and decides to make it into a restaurant and entertainment place but only open on the holidays. This is set for Valentine’s Day where Bing serenades Marjorie Reynolds who is looking lovingly at him until Fred Astaire swoops in and takes her for a twirl. It seems she thinks, “Bing who?” This is a beautifully danced number and Marjorie can hold her own with the great Astaire.

3. MY FUNNY VALENTINE SUNG BY MITZI GREEN-1937

This is a famous song written by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Heart and introduced by Mitzi Green in the musical, "Babes in Arms". Many famous people sang this with Frank Sinatra being one of the most famous but I thought it would be cool to hear the original singer. She was a child actress and was quite popular before she went to Broadway. Sadly, she died of cancer in 1968 at 48. 

One more...

VALENTINE'S DAY WITH BING CROSBY AND ROSEMARY CLOONEY

I came across this while looking for songs and I thought they do great justice for Valentine’s. There is more than one song on this which is great. Hope you enjoy it.

Love in a Different Realm

 

It’s the month of love, lust, a love of lust or a lustful love. I’m going to try to have a full month about Love  in one form or another. The 3 films I chose today are a theme within a theme and all 3 made my heart pitter patter. I hope I see Joel here..miss your great comments Joel and love everyone’s comments even though I am lax in replying…my bad but I read them…please know this.

1. WUTHERING HEIGHTS-1939

I saw this film when I was a kid and got so spooked by the beginning of the film and the end that I did not want to go downstairs to my bedroom. I remember crying and screaming no! Ok, maybe not screaming but crying out no much to my dad’s annoyance. I found this film to be one of my favourite versions of this classic novel even though it is only one part of the book. A man, lost in a storm, takes refuge in a once grand home. He is given a room to stay and hears a girl ask for Heathcliffe. When he opens the window, looking into the wintry night he feels a col hand and cries out. An older man comes into the room and asks the man what he saw and felt. The old man leaves and the guest goes down the stairs and is told, by the housekeeper, the tragic love story of Heathcliffe and Cathy. Heathcliffe is an orphan brought home by a kindly older man and becomes friends with the man’s young daughter. The son of the man is a jealous snot who kicks Heathcliffe out of the home when the dad dies. Cathy and Heathcliffe grow up and fall in love and are as one until they climb a tree, one evening to look into the beautiful home of a neighbour who is having a party.  Cathy falls from the tree and is cornered by the dogs. Heathcliffe brings her in and he quickly sees how enamoured Cathy is with this genteel life. Soon, their love turns to hate( well, not really) and makes Heathcliffe mean and vindictive. Cathy ends up marrying the young man, Linton and, Heathcliffe decides to marry Linton’s younger sister. Decades pass and Cathy becomes ill…..it stars Laurence Olivier as Heathcliffe, Merle Oberon as Cathy, David Niven as Lord Linton and Geraldine Fitzgerald as Linton’s sister. Laurence was pissed off because the execs would not allow his big love, Vivien Leigh, to play Cathy but she was a bit tied up in that small movie called, “Gone With The Wind.” I thought Niven and Fitzgerald were wonderful for their thankless roles. The ghost story is a very small part but an important one.

2. THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR-1947

This is one of my all time favourite films( I am finally using this film, again, Stephen) that starts off with no music, you just hear the waves crash against the rocks and see Mrs. Muir going to see this house at the edge of this cliff. She will reside there with her young daughter, played by the sweet Natalie Wood and her faithful maid. Soon you realize they are not alone and poof! In comes the ghost of the captain, played by Rex Harrison, who is not happy that Mrs. Muir, played by the beautiful Gene Tierney, has entered his domain. When she realizes she might lose the place she loves, the Captain decides to help her by writing a book about his exploits. This is an ethereal comedy with a beautiful theme of love interwoven in a ghost story. It’s funny, sad, sweet and made me long to have a love story like this.

3. PORTRAIT OF JENNIE-1948

I’m not a huge fan of Jennifer Jones but she plays this character really well as a little girl who meets up with a struggling artist played by Joseph Cotton who is enchanted by the young girl. The next time he meets her, she is older and he decides to paint her portrait only to realize that each time he meets her, she is older but time is not her friend as she seems to get closer to what she is most scared of. Cotton is falling in love with her knowing that nothing makes sense since she has aged in a few weeks which takes a few decades. I love the cinematography of this film that shows many scene openings as if it is painted on a canvas. I’m very happy to have this film in my list of many films I own. It is worth a look.

Any ghostly love stories you love? I’m certain many of you will think of “Ghost” which is a great movie.

I Am A Proud Canadian!

 

This has been a tough week when our country is being bullied by one person who seems to hold so much sway to so many. I doubt you would not be happy if a country claimed you are the 20 province, county, state or whatever and be belittled. This happens right after many of our firefighters came to the aid of California's wildfires. Did you know that we have your banks here and never prevented them from being here. We are the ones tgat get more guns and fentynol from the U. S. Than the other way around. Just look it up. Anyways, I am not one to boo any anthem even though we are not the ones who started this big fight. We must remember that many don't want Canada to be part of the States...thank you! I hate it when things get ugly so I am going to bring 3 great Canadian songs from 3 great Canadian bands. I'm joining Monday Music Moves Me and here they are...

1. THE HOCKEY SONG BY STOMPIN' TOM CONNORS- 1973

This is an iconic Canadian song that goes perfectly with our classic Canadian sport. Do I watch hockey? Hahaaaaa...no, but it is iconic.

2. CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY SUNG BY GORDON LIGHTFOOT-1966

Gordon Lightfoot is a true Canadian and an icon in music. We have many great, Canadian icons from music, Celine Dion, Rush, Joni Mitchell, Barenaked Ladies, yadda yadda yadda...

3. HOME FOR A REST BY SPIRIT OF THE WEST-2003

The music from the East is just wonderful often involving fiddle music and like another band I love, Great Big Sea, this song is fun and catchy. I could listen to the music from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia a lot of the time. 

I feel bad that your anthem was boo'd at and I hope you feel the same when ours was as well. May the people be strong together and weather this storm that never should be. Remember, Reagan loved free trade and believed in our friendship...I do too.

Star Of The Month- Lee Marvin

 

LEE MARVIN

BIRTH: February 19, 1924

DEATH: August 29, 1987

AGED: 63 yrs old

DIED FROM: Heart Attack, had ill health for a while

REAL NAME: Lamont Marvin Jr.

MARRIED: Twice and lived together with another( big mistake)

AFFAIRS: Ann Bancroft( according to his first wife), Jeanne Moreau, Yvette Vickers

CHILDREN: 4 kids

FRIENDS: Robert Ryan

OSCAR WINS: Cat Ballou- Best Supporting Actor 

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: Cat Ballou

TALENT: his singing! He had a hit record with Wandrin’ Star from the musical, Paint Your  Wagon.

KNOWN FOR: his distinctive voice, a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee.

Lee Marvin was one tough mother #$&@ who was often in trouble in school and when in the Marines because he got demoted to Private. I always liked him, his face was not pretty but you felt you could trust him..except when he played a psychopathic killer. This guy was a true hero who fought in the 4th Marine Division and was in a couple of key battles before being wounded and taking a year in hospitals to recuperate. He was awarded the Purple Heart, The Presidential Unit Citation, the American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War 2 Victory Medal  and the Combat Action Ribbon. When he came back to the States, he became a plumber and was working in a theatre when an extra didn’t show up so the director got him to stand in and …Voila! He was known to smoke up to 6 packs of cigarettes a day (how the?? 6??) and he could drink almost anyone under the table, except for Oliver Reed who won the bet when Reed was still standing while Lee passed out after a gizillion drinks. He also married his high school sweetheart after meeting up with her again and they stayed married until he died. He is also very famous for the groundbreaking trial between him and Michelle Triolla whom he shacked up with for 6 years. The relationship ended badly (that’s an understatement) where she sued him for over 3 million( or was it 6) because she gave up her singing career for him. Mud was slung on both sides and she won but much, much less and that was rescinded when she could not produce an actual contract. It became fodder on Saturday Night Live and Johnny Carson. I have to look this up. Anyways, he was from the old school of acting who played many thugs but was known to be a big advocate for Gay Rights and was a Democrat through and through. 

FILMS

1. The Dirty Dozen-1967

2. Cat Ballou-1965

3. The Professionals- 1966

4.  Great Scout and Cathouse Thursday-1976

5. Ship Of Fools-1965

6. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance-1962

7. The Big Heat

8. Avalanche Express-1979

9. The Big Heat-1953

10. Paint Your Wagon-1969

BRrrrrrrr

 

It’s been a few cold days, not as cold as out in Alberta, but cold enough although I quite enjoy it…for now. Ask me in March and I will have a different answer. Where I live, in The Niagara Region, we have not received that much snow, sadly, but that might change as we enter February. It made me think of the many movies I have watched that take place in snow or at least, partly, in snow. Let’s get on with it…

1. LOST HORIZON-1937

The wondrous, magical Shangri-La is warm, beautiful, lush, green but surrounded by the very snowy Himalayas. A small group of English and American people get the last flight out of China during a rebellion. Unbeknownst to them, their plane has been hijacked and end up crash landing in the very snowy Himalayas mountains. Except for the pilot, the rest are alive and are soon met by a group of people who lead them through a very treacherous path to the magical Shangri-La. The lead is played by, be still my heart, Ronald Colman with a group that has a conman, a hypochondriac, a terminally ill, cynical woman and Colman’s bratty brother. When they find themselves in this wondrous place, they are dubious except for Colman who finds it mesmerizing including the young lady played by Jane Wyatt. It is a superb film that I can always watch. The snow scenes before and after Shangri-La give a true feel of the cold and the treacherous journey these people had to deal with. It is very well acted and the art direction and cinematography is excellent.

2. JEREMIAH JOHNSON-1972

This is not a typical western because it is more about the true life mountain man, Jeremiah Johnson who wanted to be left alone but, when his Native American wife and son are killed, he goes on a rampage killing many Crow since some Crow were responsible  for the death of his family. Robert Redford starts the film as a naive man who has no clue what nature can do to a man. He meets an old codger, played by Will Greer, who teaches him how to survive and Redford does just that. Redford carries the picture and does it with great aplomb. The film takes place during all seasons but the winter scenes stay with me. I think it is quite underrated and should be known more than it is.

3. WIND RIVER-2017

This is another underrated film that stars Jeremy Renner as a game tracker who comes across the frozen body of a Native American girl. He contacts the FBI who send out a young FBI operative to find the killer. The 2 team up to get to the bottom of this murder. You find out there is more than what meets the eye, of course, in this film. It really makes you think and you love the barren look with the snow taking centre stage. It is a truly good thriller that one should see, at least, once.

What films can you think of that take place in the winter time?