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