12th Annual Sammy Awards
Hey Oscar meet Sammy!
By Roger Hall
Everyone knows about the Oscars, but what about the Sammys? Unlike the
Oscars (or Academy Awards), the Sammys (or Sammy Awards) are given in only
one category for movie music - both scores and songs. These awards are
my assesment of each year's releases and are based on two areas of evaluation:
originality of the score or song, and how well they are used in the film.
The awards are chosen after careful consideration of both areas.
This is the 12th year for the Sammy Awards, named after the late great
lyricist, Sammy Cahn (1913-1993), who won 4 Oscars for his songs ("Three
Coins in the Fountain"; "All the Way"; "High Hopes";
"Call Me Irresponsible") and was nominated more times than any
other songwriter - 26 times in all. Each year, the Sammys are announced
before the Oscars in order to avoid any confusion.
So, now may we have the envelopes please. Here are the 1999 Sammys for...
Best Film Score: THE RED VIOLIN - music by John Corigliano. A
superb score with a natural tie-in to music. Memorable main theme well
incorporated within the film's story of the violin traveling to different
eras and locales. Beautiful violin playing by Joshua Bell.
Best Song: "When She Loved Me" - music & lyrics
by Randy Newman (from TOY STORY 2). A heartfelt song, beautifully told
in this Pixar animated film. One of Randy Newman's loveliest songs. He's
been nominated 13 times for an Oscar. Will this be the year he's finally
gets one? It should be.
Best Song Compilation: THE IRON GIANT - outstanding collection
of '50s songs (rock, doo wop, jazz, novelty, pop) well incorporated in
delightful animated movie.
Lifetime Achievement: Franz Waxman (1906-1967) - He received
back-to-back Oscars: SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) and A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951).
One of the great masters of Golden Age film composers, with such memorable
film scores as BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, REBECCA, and THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS.
He was honored last year on a 33 cent US stamp.
Golden Ear-Muff for Worst Use of a Movie Song: "Blame Canada"
(music by Michael Kamen/ lyrics by Trey Parker) - dopey monotonous song
passed off as parody, using obscenities and insults in place of just plain
fun. Blame the songwriters, not Canada!
Note: The complete list of Sammy Awards from 1988 to 1999 can be seen
at: http://hometown.aol.com/MusBuff/page10.htm
In case you're wondering: the Sammy's reflect the personal preferences
of Roger Hall and not any specific trade or fan group. God bless America!
MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com
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