As Bing said to Frank in HIGH SOCIETY, "You must be one of the newer fellas." I'm old enough to recall that moment when it first happened; in fact, I've never forgotten it. It must be one of the most memorable laughs in the history of the Oscars. Thanks, Montana, for letting me enjoy it again.
Sammy Davis played it well though. But the real oops moment was "Alec North" not winning for Cleopatra, likewise Alex North.
However, to give it its due, Addison's innovative score was quite epoch making - it seemed to usher in the trend for using harpsichords (later the electric harpsichord) in film music that persisted throughout the 60s and into the 70s. Ironically, North used a harpsichord in Cleopatra too, but subtly within the orchestral textures. Addison put his up front and loud.
Sammy Davis played it well though. But the real oops moment was "Alec North" not winning for Cleopatra, likewise Alex North.
However, to give it its due, Addison's innovative score was quite epoch making - it seemed to usher in the trend for using harpsichords (later the electric harpsichord) in film music that persisted throughout the 60s and into the 70s. Ironically, North used a harpsichord in Cleopatra too, but subtly within the orchestral textures. Addison put his up front and loud.
Subtly never gets you the big prize in showbiz.
BTW, nice to see Elmer looking cool and young!
If you look behind Andre Previn as he rises from his seat, you can see Alex North seated behind him. It must have been a dreadful feeling to have to sit there and realize the outcome even before the announcement.
I watched this telecast live back in 1964 and well remember Elmer accepting the Best Score Oscar on behalf of the absent John Addison. My feeling then and to this day is that Elmer should have been accepting his own Oscar for THE GREAT ESCAPE -- not even nominated. The film was unjustly ignored by the Academy with only a single nomination for Best Film Editing.
Also, freeze it at 3:01 and that definitely looks like the Alfred Newman haircut to the right of where Andre's walking. All the composers sitting together.
Yes, they both lost, and of course there was no way they both could win. Perhaps you had the same feeling I got when listening to those 5 nominations: What an embarrassment of riches in those days! (I hope you don't begrudge Mr. Addison his win.)
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Dear Paul --
Maybe we should form a Codger's Club for those of us who remember that original broadcast?
I hadn't realized how little recognition the Academy accorded THE GREAT ESCAPE, but sadly I'm not surprised; it's so typical of that organization. A few years ago, at an American Cinematheque screening of THE GREAT ESCAPE here in L.A., the fellow introducing the film declared that for him it wasn't CITIZEN KANE that was the best movie ever, it was THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Another world, another time, that remark made by Davis was cool. Yet it is fascinating[no politics here,] but a simple observation of life then and now. On cable the other night in that same era THEY SHOWED the 1965 all star game. Maybe young people will learn something they didn't realize, The starting lineup in both leagues came to about 75% African Americans. Just an observation.
Thanks for posting this. I was 3 years old so I never knew about this until now. Great stuff.
Although there really can only be one winner, the scores back then are so memorable that anything done today is pale in comparison. These composers and their nominated themes as well as those who did not get nominated were at the pinnacle of great music during the 1960s.
Now that we've seen Sammy Davis Jr. do his Edward G Robinson impersonation in the video at the first post; and Jack Lemmon tells Sammy that Edward G. Robinson is 'due out next'. Well, he does indeed come out next. What's amusing is that when Mr. Robinson is handed his first envelope to open, you can see him studying the writing on the front of it first..and in detail, to be sure it doesn't happen again! Also, if you stick around for the second envelope to be opened, you get to hear some of Alfred Newman's music to 'How The West Was Won', played by the orchestra.
