The Beatles win an Oscar for “Let It Be”

The Oscar and the unexpected lure the viewers

[…] I asked Bob why people who never go to the movies watch the Oscars.

“The possibility of seeing the unexpected,” he said. “That was what television was all about once — being in on things as they happened. Jackie Gleason breaking his leg on camera, the corpse getting up on Climax and slowly walking away! The mistakes, the uncertainties, the star tripping on her dress on the way to the stage, the he-man breaking down over his award.

“A perfect example was Paul McCartney turning up at the Grammy Awards in his tennis shoes to accept the awards for the Beatles for ‘Let It Be.’ Nobody knew McCartney was there. The excitement of his appearance in the auditorium communicated itself over television. It’s something you’ll never get on film.”

Maybe McCartney, sneakers and all, will turn up Thursday night. “Let It Be” is also nominated for an Oscar in the peculiar category of “best original song-score,” whatever that is. Also there’s a major tribute to the now dissolved Beatles and their contributions to movie music in “Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Let It Be.”

“Some good ideas are born of desperation,” said Finkel. “None of the nominated songs really adapted themselves to a big production number — so this tribute will be it.” […]

From Los Angeles Times – April 11, 1971

Oscar Rock ‘Salute’ Had No Rock Sound

THE BEATLES’ “Let It Be” film score was awarded an Oscar, leaving no more worlds for the group to conquer. However, I’m afraid the Academy didn’t distinguish itself all that much. The three awards were all earned. However, it was difficult to sit through that “salute” to the Beatles.

First of all I can’t see how anyone could salute a rock group of any type without at least having some sort of rock instrumentation serving as the basis for the presentation. Instead, Quincy Jones was saddled with a full orchestra. If there were guitars, a bass, a drummer around, I sure didn’t hear them. And then they put a dancer out and choreographed the whole bit with a chorus line, sparkling lights and all. I’m afraid it was an unintended slap at the Beatles and the music they created.

Maybe those responsible for the nature of the “salute” got the idea of what they did wrong when Harry Belafonte came out and sang a simple, version of a pretty ballad with beautiful results. In direct contrast to the Ziegfeld acrobatics, they butchered the rest of the medley with.

Speaking of the Beatles, Paul McCartney has a very fascinating interview in the current Life. Paul talks about the breakup of the group, and how and why he feels it happened. What is most interesting about the interview is the deep feelings Paul expresses about the whole hassle.

It becomes obvious the decisions he and the other Beatles reached came only after long painful thoughts and considerations were made.

However, I haven’t lost all hopes for the Beatles coming together again. First of all, Paul talks about how close they were and how they are all still good friends. He also refers to John Lennon many times, showing what a strong influence the two have had on each other.

One of the Beatles — I think it was Ringo — said recently: “You know, we all have recording studios in our homes and we’re still friends. One of these days we’ll all be at one of them together and we’ll say: ‘Let’s record!’ And we’ll do it. And it will happen.“

That leaves hope, although Paul says he is going to organize another band this summer. We’ll see.

From The San Bernardino County Sun – April 20, 1971