Monday, March 15, 2010

Best Original Song - 1948

"For Every Man There is a Woman" from Casbah sung by Tony Martin/Yvonne DeCarlo


Movie Synopsis: The life, loves and adventures of a classic Casbah thief.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Since one of the stars sings it, I'm guessing yes.
Is it important to the plot? This is apparently a musical, and knowing musicals, it's a crapshoot.
Is it pleasing to the ear? C



"This is the Moment" from That Lady in Ermine sung by Betty Grable and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. 


Movie Synopsis: An Italian countess is at a loss when invaded by a Hungarian army and receives help from her lookalike ancestor who comes to life from a portrait. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? Yes. 
Is it important to the plot? In a dream, the ancestress "seduces" the Hungarian with song. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? B+


"Buttons and Bows" from The Paleface sung by Bob Hope 


Movie Synopsis: Calamity Jane is dispatched to find out who's smuggling rifles to the Indians, and winds up married to a hapless correspondence school dentist as part of her cover. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? Yes. 
Is it important to the plot? From what I gathered from the Youtube clip, Bob Hope is singing to Jane Russell about his preference of the tame east and how enjoys women in finery, versus her rough and tumble outfits. As you can see from the poster, Calamity Jane really dresses like a ragamuffin. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? Maybe it's the way that Bob Hope sings it, but it sounds pretty forced and repetitive...C+.


"It's Magic" from Romance on the High Seas sung by Doris Day


Movie Synopsis: A socialite hires a nightclub singer to pose as her on a sea cruise, while she stays at home to spy on her philandering husband, while the husband hires a detective to tail his wife on the cruise.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Probably...it's a musical.
Is it important to the plot? I'm assuming that it's used to express Doris Day's burgeoning love.
Is it pleasing to the ear? B+


"The Woody Woodpecker Song" from Wet Blanket Policy sung by Gloria Wood and Harry Babbit


Movie Synopsis: Buzz Buzzard tries to convince Woody Woodpecker to get an insurance policy.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the opening/end credits)? Starts in the opening credits and continues a little into the action. 
Is it important to the plot? It introduces the character...sort of. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? God, no...D-.


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So what won?
"Buttons and Bows" from The Paleface




What would I have voted for?
"This is the Moment" from That Lady in Ermine. I liked the melody best.




Analysis
This was a lackluster year. All the songs are so 40's, and unmemorable. In fact, I've forgotten all the melodies, except for "Buttons and Bows" and that's because I've listened to it several times simply because it won the Oscar. "The Woody Woodpecker Song", I learned, was a HUGE hit in the 40's and I can only surmise as to why. I suppose it's kind of neat that a song from a cartoon short has been nominated, but it hasn't happened since and is unlikely to.

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