Best Original Song - 1941

"Out of the Silence" from All-American Co-Ed sung by Frances Langford

Movie Synopsis: An all girl school and an all boy school war with one another while two of their students fall in love.

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

Is it important to the plot? Um, the love interest (I think) is headed toward her while she is singing.

Is it pleasing to the ear? C.

"Blues in the Night" from Blues in the Night sung by William Gillespie and reprised by Stan Wrightman

Movie Synopsis: A blues singer and her band get involved with gangsters.

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

Is it important to the plot? Probably...

Is it pleasing to the ear? C-.

"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy From Comany B" from Buck Privates sung by The Andrews Sister

Movie Synopsis: Two convicts choose the army over jail.

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

Is it important to the plot? Don't think so...

Is it pleasing to the ear? B.

"Baby Mine" from Dumbo sung by Betty Noyes

Movie Synopsis: A baby elephant with big ears is ostracized by the other circus elephants until he discovers a secret talent.

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

Is it important to the plot? Well, it shows how much Mrs. Jumbo misses her baby.

Is it pleasing to the ear? A.

"The Last Time I Saw Paris" from Lady Be Good sung by Ann Southern

Movie Synopsis: A pair of divorced song writers remarry.

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

Is it important to the plot? Uh...

Is it pleasing to the ear? C-.

"Dolores" from Las Vegas Nights sung by Bert Wheeler

Movie Synopsis: A vaudeville act inherits an old, beat-up building and decides to try to turn it into a hip new nightclub

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? N/A

"Be Honest With Me" from Ridin' on a Rainbow sung by Bert Wheeler

Movie Synopsis: When the showboat hits town, two men use the parade as a distraction to rob the bank.

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-

"Chattanooga Choo Choo" from Lady Be Good sung by Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly, The Modernaires, The Nicholas Brothers, and Dorothy Dandridge

Movie Synopsis: A pianist falls in love with a Norwegian refugee who later stages an ice show. 

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

Is it important to the plot? Well...

Is it pleasing to the ear? C.

"Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye" from You'll Never Get Rich sung by The Four Tones

Movie Synopsis: A man caught in his boss's indiscretions escapes to the army.

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? C.








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So what won?
"The Last Time I Saw Paris" from Lady Be Good

What would I have voted for?
"Baby Mine" from Dumbo.

I'm sucker for the Disney songs, I'll admit. However, this is such a beautiful song, and sad moment in the movie. Does it really move the plot forward? Eh...no, but it gives us some definite emotion.


Analysis
1941 had two songs that I believe are 40's standards: "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo", neither of which won. It's interesting to see which songs have stood the test of time and which ones are even remembered. "The Last Time I Saw Paris" kind of sucks and I doubt the average schmo has ever heard it, and yet, it claims 1941.