I have to start marking down which years I have done or I will repeat myself...I just know it. I am writing this late because I procrastinated. That being said, at least i am writing this:) I decided to choose the Oscar year of 1953 and am picking the song that won the Oscar, The song that was nominated and one that got nadda. let's see if you choose the right one.
1. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE, NANETTE FABRAY, JACK BUCHANAN AND OSCAR LEVANT
This song should be instantly recognizable even if you never saw the film, "The Bandwagon" where it was written specifically for the movie version of this stage musical. It was written by Arthur Schwartz (Music) and Howard Dietz (Lyrics) and performed by these legends. Later it was used in 3 movie versions about the great MGM musicals (with just some great non musical people like Tracy & Hepburn). When we hear this song we instantly think Hollywood, I think anyways.
2. THAT'S AMORE SUNG BY DEAN MARTIN
This song, written by Harry Warren with lyrics by Jack Brooks, has become Dean Martin's signature song and also helped bring a better image of the Italians after Capone and Mussolini. Who knew this song came from a Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis comedy called "The Caddy." I have to say I always loved this song.
3. SECRET LOVE SUNG BY DORIS DAY
This song was introduced by Doris Day in one of her signature roles as Calamity Jane in the film with the same name. Good Ole Calamity never looked so good! This was a bona fide hit for Doris here and across the pond and became one of her signature tunes along with "Que Sera Sera." The music was written by Sammy Fain and the lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and made quite the splash back in the day.
So....which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which tanked in both?
Hi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and my buddy Harley are having a splendid week, dear friend!
Nanette Fabray, singer/actress Shelley Fabares' acting, singing and dancing aunt, was a familiar name and face on TV when I was young. I just now read about the two freak accidents that nearly killed her. First she was struck on the head by a falling pipe backstage in 1955, then knocked over, striking her head on a rock during a freak elephant stampede in 1978. Even so, Nanette lived to the ripe old age of 97.
It was fun to see one of my favorites, Oscar(worthy) Levant in that musical song and dance number "That's Entertainment." The song was sung by Judy Garland and many others. With dated terms like "gay divorcee" and "skirt" and "dame" referencing a woman, the song is a product of its time.
I also well remember Dean crooning "That's Amore," and was aware that Dean and comedy partner Jerry Lewis performed the song in one of their movies, The Caddy. Of course, Jerry did his usual silly shtick and chimed in with "That's Amore" in that goofy character voice he was fond of using.
I'm pretty sure my mother bought Dean's "That's Amore" record and Doris Day's "Secret Love," which would explain why I have keen memories of them. Of course, R&B great Billy Stewart revived "Secret Love" in 1967 and enjoyed a hit of his own. I have his version in my record collection.
This is a tough call, because these are all great, memorable songs of the period.
* I'm going to pick "That's Entertainment" as the Oscar (Mayer) wiener because it is the quintessential Hollywood theme, a winning song loaded with clever lyrics.
*I'm going to select "Secret Love" as the nominated song because it tugs at the heartstrings, the kind that often garnered a nomination.
* I think Dino's "That's Amore" was snubbed because it is a humorous song. Traditionally, the Academy ignored the comedy and horror genres, considering them "less than" dramas and musicals. At least, that's how I remember it.
Thanks for the memories. Hey, that could be a song title! :) Enjoy your day, dear friend BB. I'll be waiting for you again tamale in the balcony-- "At The Movies!"
P.S. - I sent you an email about the late, great Marsha Hunt. Check your inbox.
That was such a nice tribute to Marsha Hunt. Now we lost Louise Fletcher. I’m glad you enjoyed all the songs and made sure not to have Jerry Lewis sing in that voice. I love the word “Dame” and would love to be called a great dame and not the English meaning. I want to be a ladylike Dame. Now, the winner was “Secret Love” with “That’s Amore” nominated but I was gobsmacked that “That’s Entertainment” was not even nominated. Quite wild actually.
DeleteI'm pretty sure that Secret Love won, but I could be wrong. I doubt that That's Amore was even nominated. That being said, I think every one of my Italian cousins had that song sung at their wedding reception. I still remember the lyrics and hearing all of us singing.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that Day’s song won but “That’s Amore” was nominated and the first song got Nadia which was surprising. I bet the Dean Martin song was big at all Italian weddings in the day.
DeleteThese are all familiar - I love Dean Martin! That's Amore reminds me of Moonstruck, a favourite movie. The song probably wasn't even nominated, though. That's Entertainment is pretty iconic, so it surely was, but didn't win. Secret Love is the kind of tune that would win an Oscar.
ReplyDeleteYou are right bout “Secret Love” winning but “That’s Entertainment” was not even nominated, “That’s Amore” was.
DeleteMy guess is the first two were both nominated but no idea which one won.
ReplyDelete“That’s Amore” was nominated but didn’t win. “That’s Entertainment” got Nadda! The last song won.
DeleteI wasn't impressed with the movie The Bandwagon. Kinda stilted. But the songs were good. I don't even have good guesses for this one. I would think the Doris Day song won, just because I'm unfamiliar with it. And I'll guess the Dean Martin song wasn't even nominated.
ReplyDeleteI love The Bandwagon and found it so funny with a take on the Broadway musical. I have to say...I do hate that opening song “Shine the Shoes” ...quite annoying. Yes, “Secret Love” did win but That’s Amore was nominated with “That’s Entertainment” getting nothing.
DeleteIf it wasn’t Secret Love, the writers were robbed! Great song. It was also very popular over here in the 60s sung by Kathy Kirby. I think I knew that version before I heard Doris Day’s.
ReplyDeleteSecret Love did win! I will look up Kathy Kirby’s version. That’s Amore was nominated and the iconic, “ That’s Entertainment “ got nothing.
DeleteHi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteI know the DoDo song won but am less sure about the other two. I would find it completely mystifying if "That's Entertainment" didn't receive at least a nomination and as iconic as "That's Amore" was for Dino I think that's the one that was a miss.
The other two are excellent tunes but "Secret Love" is just such a beautiful song and Doris captures all the nuance in the lyrics, though I feel almost certain that neither Doris or the lyricist suspected that it would become somewhat of a coded gay anthem. I know she became aware later and had no problem with the fact.
I'm going to go now and check and see how I did. :-)
Ack! I discovered I was wrong about my second two. I knew for a fact that Secret Love won but I am flummoxed that something as iconic and in particular industry-centric as "That's Entertainment" was nominated for bupkis while the pleasant but hardly extraordinary "That's Amore" made the nomination class. Just goes to show ya I guess.
DeleteYou are so right about Secret Love being so beautiful and Day captures it so well. I had no idea this became a secret song for the Gay community but...who cares. If they took that, good. It’s a really pretty song.
DeleteYes, I was gobsmacked that the famous song, “ That’s Entertainment” got nadda, I just don’t understand that. I love “That’s Amore” but was surprised it was nominated especially since Jerry Lewis sang a bit of it in his annoying voice.
Of the three, "Secret Love" is my favorite so that's what I'd chose for the win, although the performance of "That's Entertainment" in the film was the most fun.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You are correct that Secret Love won but the iconic song, “That’s Entertainment” got nuttin! Amazing isn’t it?
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