Bill Chemerka did a fine job of showing how John Wayne's Alamo competed with the Oscars of 1960. He pointed a number of Wayne's biographers and critics declared that his hubris cost him better results in that year's Oscar race. But thanks to his research, I think the Alamo suffered most from the type of competition that year.
Elmer Gantry, the Sundowners and the winning entry the Apartment were "thinking peoples" pictures. That is, they appealed to an intellectual audience. I was only 12 at the time or I would have voted The Alamo. The Academy members were in a different place emotionally that year. Had JW made the movie in 1956, like he wanted to, who knows...
Chill Wills never had a chance, although I marvel at his performance more each time I see it.
I'm sorry, Tiomkin should have won, no matter how good the Exodus and Magnificent Seven scores were. The music in the Alamo has haunted me for over 50 years. They will play it at my funeral.
"Never on a Sunday" was a cute jingle, but no comparison to "The Green Leaves of Summer."
No question, the Alamo had the best sound recording. You could even hear people's words in the midst of frantic battle scenes.
Cinematography could have gone to the Alamo or Spartacus. Both had huge panoramic scenes. Santa Anna's troops marching into position at dawn is breathtaking, but seeing the Roman legions marching across the plain in Spartacus, is just as emotional.
I still marvel at the editing in both The Alamo and Sparticus. I can't see how the Apartment won,except that the academy members did not appreciate the art of editing in 1960.
Having suffered from red/green colorblindness, I don't see color as well as most people. But the colors of the Mexican uniforms were so vivid to me, I think the Alamo should have won the Art Direction award.
So thanks Bill for adding a little more to the history of the "Waynamo." It's great stuff.
Lou from Long Island
