Oscar-Nominated Top Ten: Over the Rainbow (#10)

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Ick! Sn*w and slush and boo-hiss! That’s how the weather is starting off here. I hope it’s better where you are. It’s time to get into the top ten of my favorite songs that were nominated for the “Best Original Song” Oscar. I sincerely hope nobody thought I’d forget this one….. #10: Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland I mean, come on!!! This is one of the most instantly-recognizable songs in popular music history. And it’s from one of the most recognizable films in history. There’s a meme that calls this “the ultimate chick flick: two gals trying to kill each other over shoes!” That’s the plot, I guess, along with a tornado made out of panty hose (no kidding, that was the “special effect” tornado in that movie!) and the stereotypical politicians with no brain, no heart, and no courage. One of the most astonishing things about the movie at the time was that the time in Oz was filmed in color, while the opening and ending were in black and white. That sounds like nothing now; however, most films were black and white in 1939. I was watching a documentary on Hitchcock’s film Rope, and they were talking about the color cameras of the era being the size of refrigerators. The color part of the movie pushed the budget to nearly $3 million…or $45 million by today’s standards. This was an expensive movie to make! And worth every penny. As for the song, do remember that Judy Garland was all of sixteen years old when she sang this memorable tune. Everybody has done it since, but this is Judy’s song forever. Over the Rainbow Written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg Recorded by Judy Garland Oscar Winner From The Wizard of Oz, 1939 Someday I’ll wish upon a star: