Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Best Original Song - 1950

"Mona Lisa" from Captain Carey U.S.A. sung by Nat King Cole


Movie Synopsis: An Army captain returns to Italy and finds out who betrayed his O.S.S. team and that his old love is married to another man.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? N/A. 
Is it important to the plot? N/A.
Is it pleasing to the ear? B. 


"Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" from Cinderella sung by Verna Felton


Movie Synopsis: A young girl, suppressed by her evil stepmother attends the royal ball with the aid of her fairy godmother.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes. 
Is it important to the plot? Magic words to transform Cinderella and her friends into presentable ball attendees.
Is it pleasing to the ear? B.


"Mule Train" from Singing Guns sung by Vaughn Monroe


Movie Synopsis: An outlaw shoots the new sheriff and then carries him to the doctor who in turn is deputized after a mistake.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? N/A.
Is it pleasing to the ear? D.


"Be My Love" from The Toast of New Orleans sung by Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson


Movie Synopsis: A snooty opera singer meets a rough-and-tumble fisherman in the Louisiana bayous and lures him away to New Orleans to teach him to sing opera but fall in love in the process.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? First song the singers sing together.
Is it pleasing to the ear? C- .


"Wilhemina" from Wabash Avenue sung by Betty Grable


Movie Synopsis: To owners of a dance hall in 1892 Chicago feud and fight over a burlesque girl who wants to be a classy star.


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.

Is it important to the plot? Dance number.
Is it pleasing to the ear? C.


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So what won?
"Mona Lisa" from Captain Carey U.S.A


What would I have voted for? 
"Mona Lisa" from Captain Carey U.S.A

 
Wins by default, but not a bad song.


Analysis
The most disappointing thing about 1950 is that "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" was the song considered the best from Cinderella. "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" or "So This is Love" would have been much better choices. You fail, Academy!

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