New AFI List (100 Years...100 Songs)
Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2003 10:14 pm
Well, even though we all mostly disagree with a lot of their selections, there's something about the AFI's Lists that keep us from looking away.
Their latest list was announced today - 100 Years...100 Songs. Presumably, a lot of the old-time musicals will be honored, but I suspect Disney films should garner a few.
There's a list of 400 nominated songs, that they didn't post at the website, but here is what they did post, a 3-page press release:
Page 1 of 3
NEWS RELEASE
AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 SONGS
BRINGS TOGETHER TWO ART FORMS
IN SEVENTH ANNUAL AFI/CBS TELEVISION EVENT
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, As Time Goes By,
Singin’ in the Rain, Moon River and The Way We Were
Vie for the Title of “Movie Song of The Century”
LOS ANGELES, November 18, 2003—The American Film Institute (AFI) today
announced AFI’s 100 Years...100 Songs to be the annual theme for AFI’s on-going
celebration of 100 years of American movies.
AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 SONGS: AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSIC IN THE MOVIES will
count down America’s 100 greatest songs in the movies, as chosen by experts of the
motion picture community, in a three-hour television event on the CBS Television
Network in June 2004.
Each year, the AFI program has garnered considerable attention from movie lovers
around the world. Previous programs within this series have included AFI 100
Years…100 Movies (1998); AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars (1999); AFI’s 100
Years…100 Laughs (2000); AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills (2001); AFI’s 100
Years…100 Passions (2002) and AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains (2003).
The AFI 100 Years… series is an event which sparks lively discussion each year as it
reignites interest in classic American movies,” stated AFI’s Director and CEO Jean
Picker Firstenberg. “This year, we turn our eye—and our ears—to the music and
lyrics that have enriched our nation’s moving image art form over the past century.
Great songs are a personal and unforgettable part of the storytelling experience so
combining music and film this year will undoubtedly provoke impassioned, heated
debate and discord among even the closest friends.”
For the seventh consecutive year, the primetime special will be executive produced
and directed by Gary Smith; executive produced for AFI by former AFI Board chair
Frederick S. Pierce; and produced by Dann Netter and Bob Gazzale. Past sponsors
of the series have included General Motors, Pepsi, Johnson & Johnson, Best Buy,
Capital One and Colgate-Palmolive.
About the Jury Process
Today, AFI distributed a ballot with 400 nominated songs to a jury of 1,500 leaders
from the creative community, including film artists (directors, screenwriters, actors,
editors, cinematographers) critics and historians. Additionally, the national
membership of AFI will receive one collective vote.
This year, the jury will be asked to choose up to 100 songs from an extensive list,
including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, As Time Goes By, Singin’ in the Rain, Moon
River, The Way We Were, Puttin’ on the Ritz, That’s Entertainment, It Had to be You,
Say a Little Prayer, Take My Breath Away and Lose Yourself. Due to the extensive
number of songs in American film, jurors may also write in votes for up to five songs,
which may not already appear on the ballot.
The jurors have been asked to consider the following criteria in their selections:
SONG
Music and lyrics* featured in an American film that set a tone or mood, define
character, advance plot and/or express the film’s themes in a manner that elevates the
moving image art form. Songs may have been written and/or recorded specifically for
the film or previously written and/or recorded and selected by the filmmaker to achieve
the above goals.
CULTURAL IMPACT
Songs that have captured the nation’s heart, echoed beyond the walls of a movie
theater, and ultimately, stand in our collective memory for the film itself.
LEGACY
Songs that resonate across the century, enriching America’s film heritage and
captivating artists and audiences today.
AFI defines an American film as an English language film with significant creative
and/or financial production elements from the United States. Additionally, only
songs from feature-length American films released before January 1, 2003, will be
considered. AFI defines a feature-length film as a motion picture of narrative format
that is typically over 60 minutes in length.
*The lyrics must be a part of the film. Laura, A Summer Place and [The Theme from] Picnic are just three
examples of songs not eligible because the lyrics do not appear in the film and were written for the song
AFTER the film's release.
Interesting Facts about the Ballot
There are 400 songs on the ballot.
The ballot includes performances from Al Jolson (THE JAZZ SINGER, 1927) to
Eminem (8 MILE, 2002).
Songs range alphabetically from Aba Daba Honeymoon (TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE,
1950) to Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (SONG OF THE SOUTH, 1947).
Bing Crosby tops the list as the most represented performer with 12 nominated songs.
Other male performers who are well represented include Fred Astaire (11), Gene
Kelly (8) and Frank Sinatra (7).
Judy Garland is the most represented female performer with nine songs. Barbra
Streisand has eight nominated songs, as does Marni Nixon, though she never
appears on screen. Her voice is used in performances by Deborah Kerr, Natalie
Wood and Audrey Hepburn.
The 1950s is the most represented decade with 67 nominees, followed closely by the
1980s with 62 nominees.
About AFI
AFI is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of
film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of
filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory, provides film preservation leadership
and explores new digital technologies in moviemaking. AFI's New Media Ventures
programs bring together the creative and digital communities, as the department
seeks to develop a literacy program for the 21st century, helping young people learn
to read and write screens of all sizes-cinema, television, computer and the Internet.
With AFI ON SCREEN, the institute is the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the US, with
programs at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST); the AFI
National Film Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
Washington, DC; and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring,
Maryland. A 49,000 square foot complex with three theatres—one historic, two new
state-of-the-art stadium-style theatres—the AFI Silver exhibits film and video generally
unavailable elsewhere in the region. AFI's annual almanac for the 21st century, AFI
AWARDS, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of
the year. AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Movies , 100 Stars, 100 Laughs, 100 Thrills, 100
Passions and 100 Heroes & Villains have ignited extraordinary public interest in
classic American movies. During the past 31 years, AFI's Life Achievement Award
has become the highest honor for a career in film. More information about AFI can
be found by visiting its Web site, located at www.AFI.com.
<hr>
Things that I would hope make the list for sure, that seem like fair bets - "Circle of Life" or "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King, "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka, "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Toy Story). Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah would make a nice list addition. Though I suspect this will be heavily dominated by songs from the '50s musicals, just from the details about the nominees.
Their latest list was announced today - 100 Years...100 Songs. Presumably, a lot of the old-time musicals will be honored, but I suspect Disney films should garner a few.
There's a list of 400 nominated songs, that they didn't post at the website, but here is what they did post, a 3-page press release:
Page 1 of 3
NEWS RELEASE
AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 SONGS
BRINGS TOGETHER TWO ART FORMS
IN SEVENTH ANNUAL AFI/CBS TELEVISION EVENT
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, As Time Goes By,
Singin’ in the Rain, Moon River and The Way We Were
Vie for the Title of “Movie Song of The Century”
LOS ANGELES, November 18, 2003—The American Film Institute (AFI) today
announced AFI’s 100 Years...100 Songs to be the annual theme for AFI’s on-going
celebration of 100 years of American movies.
AFI'S 100 YEARS...100 SONGS: AMERICA'S GREATEST MUSIC IN THE MOVIES will
count down America’s 100 greatest songs in the movies, as chosen by experts of the
motion picture community, in a three-hour television event on the CBS Television
Network in June 2004.
Each year, the AFI program has garnered considerable attention from movie lovers
around the world. Previous programs within this series have included AFI 100
Years…100 Movies (1998); AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars (1999); AFI’s 100
Years…100 Laughs (2000); AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills (2001); AFI’s 100
Years…100 Passions (2002) and AFI’s 100 Years…100 Heroes & Villains (2003).
The AFI 100 Years… series is an event which sparks lively discussion each year as it
reignites interest in classic American movies,” stated AFI’s Director and CEO Jean
Picker Firstenberg. “This year, we turn our eye—and our ears—to the music and
lyrics that have enriched our nation’s moving image art form over the past century.
Great songs are a personal and unforgettable part of the storytelling experience so
combining music and film this year will undoubtedly provoke impassioned, heated
debate and discord among even the closest friends.”
For the seventh consecutive year, the primetime special will be executive produced
and directed by Gary Smith; executive produced for AFI by former AFI Board chair
Frederick S. Pierce; and produced by Dann Netter and Bob Gazzale. Past sponsors
of the series have included General Motors, Pepsi, Johnson & Johnson, Best Buy,
Capital One and Colgate-Palmolive.
About the Jury Process
Today, AFI distributed a ballot with 400 nominated songs to a jury of 1,500 leaders
from the creative community, including film artists (directors, screenwriters, actors,
editors, cinematographers) critics and historians. Additionally, the national
membership of AFI will receive one collective vote.
This year, the jury will be asked to choose up to 100 songs from an extensive list,
including Somewhere Over the Rainbow, As Time Goes By, Singin’ in the Rain, Moon
River, The Way We Were, Puttin’ on the Ritz, That’s Entertainment, It Had to be You,
Say a Little Prayer, Take My Breath Away and Lose Yourself. Due to the extensive
number of songs in American film, jurors may also write in votes for up to five songs,
which may not already appear on the ballot.
The jurors have been asked to consider the following criteria in their selections:
SONG
Music and lyrics* featured in an American film that set a tone or mood, define
character, advance plot and/or express the film’s themes in a manner that elevates the
moving image art form. Songs may have been written and/or recorded specifically for
the film or previously written and/or recorded and selected by the filmmaker to achieve
the above goals.
CULTURAL IMPACT
Songs that have captured the nation’s heart, echoed beyond the walls of a movie
theater, and ultimately, stand in our collective memory for the film itself.
LEGACY
Songs that resonate across the century, enriching America’s film heritage and
captivating artists and audiences today.
AFI defines an American film as an English language film with significant creative
and/or financial production elements from the United States. Additionally, only
songs from feature-length American films released before January 1, 2003, will be
considered. AFI defines a feature-length film as a motion picture of narrative format
that is typically over 60 minutes in length.
*The lyrics must be a part of the film. Laura, A Summer Place and [The Theme from] Picnic are just three
examples of songs not eligible because the lyrics do not appear in the film and were written for the song
AFTER the film's release.
Interesting Facts about the Ballot
There are 400 songs on the ballot.
The ballot includes performances from Al Jolson (THE JAZZ SINGER, 1927) to
Eminem (8 MILE, 2002).
Songs range alphabetically from Aba Daba Honeymoon (TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE,
1950) to Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (SONG OF THE SOUTH, 1947).
Bing Crosby tops the list as the most represented performer with 12 nominated songs.
Other male performers who are well represented include Fred Astaire (11), Gene
Kelly (8) and Frank Sinatra (7).
Judy Garland is the most represented female performer with nine songs. Barbra
Streisand has eight nominated songs, as does Marni Nixon, though she never
appears on screen. Her voice is used in performances by Deborah Kerr, Natalie
Wood and Audrey Hepburn.
The 1950s is the most represented decade with 67 nominees, followed closely by the
1980s with 62 nominees.
About AFI
AFI is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of
film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of
filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory, provides film preservation leadership
and explores new digital technologies in moviemaking. AFI's New Media Ventures
programs bring together the creative and digital communities, as the department
seeks to develop a literacy program for the 21st century, helping young people learn
to read and write screens of all sizes-cinema, television, computer and the Internet.
With AFI ON SCREEN, the institute is the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the US, with
programs at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST); the AFI
National Film Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in
Washington, DC; and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring,
Maryland. A 49,000 square foot complex with three theatres—one historic, two new
state-of-the-art stadium-style theatres—the AFI Silver exhibits film and video generally
unavailable elsewhere in the region. AFI's annual almanac for the 21st century, AFI
AWARDS, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of
the year. AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Movies , 100 Stars, 100 Laughs, 100 Thrills, 100
Passions and 100 Heroes & Villains have ignited extraordinary public interest in
classic American movies. During the past 31 years, AFI's Life Achievement Award
has become the highest honor for a career in film. More information about AFI can
be found by visiting its Web site, located at www.AFI.com.
<hr>
Things that I would hope make the list for sure, that seem like fair bets - "Circle of Life" or "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King, "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka, "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Toy Story). Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah would make a nice list addition. Though I suspect this will be heavily dominated by songs from the '50s musicals, just from the details about the nominees.
)
but it fits the ending of the film perfectly. It's my favorite movie-to-credits soundtrack segue ever! (But "it's gotta have more cowbell!")
I must admit that I probably would not have this personal movie spark of interest if it weren't for my avid Disney DVD collecting and appreciation of the original theatrical aspect ratio, both of which were largely inspired by this wonderful website over the last several years (starting in ye olden days of the angelfire website and the condom ads 
). So yes, I am looking forward to the next AFI special, and regret missing some of their first ones. I hope they continue this for years to come, although it will be harder to think of ideas.