Sunday, June 20, 2010

Best Original Song - 1969

"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid sung by B.J. Thomas

Movie Synopsis: Two western bank/train robbers flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Butch Cassidy and that chick are frolicking on a bicycle.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A-.


"What Are You Doing With the Rest of Your Life?" from The Happy Ending sung by Michael Dees

Movie Synopsis: A middle-aged woman walks out on her husband and family in an desperate attempt to find herself.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Uh...love making? The starting of an affair?
Is it pleasing to the ear? C-.


"Jean" from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie sung by Rod McKuen 


Movie Synopsis: A headstrong young teacher in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh ignores the curriculum and influences her impressionable 12 year old charges with her over-romanticized world view. 


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


"Come Saturday Morning" from The Sterile Cuckoo sung by The Sandpipers 


Movie Synopsis: A lonely misfit with no family clings to a quiet, studious, normal boy. 


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? C+.


"True Grit" from True Grit sung by Glen Campbell

Movie Synopsis: A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer in Indian territory.

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? C.


So what won?
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid


What would I have voted for?
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
The obvious winner.


Analysis
At the end of the 60's, most of the songs seemed to be heading towards a more pop direction. FYI, "Raindrops" was the first Number 1 hit of the 70's. And that "Marmalade, Molasses, and Honey" interlude in The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean makes more sense after watching this clip. The others songs were all C level.

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