Film Beautiful Night
posted by on October 5 at 13:13 PM
We can all agree that the song that accompanies this famous scene in Lady and the Tramp…
…is simply wonderful.
To get to the core of the song’s magic we must separate into it two parts: the part that is performed by the Italian chef; and the part that is performed by the professional singers.
Oh this is the night
it’s a beautiful night
and we call it bella notte
look at the skies
they have stars in their eyes
on this lovely bella notte
side by side with your loved one
you will find the enchantment here
the night will weave its magic spell
when the one you love is near, oh
this is the night
and the heavens all rise
on this lovely bella notte
The first part of “Belle Notte” is utterly ridiculous. The lyrics are sung in a fake, vulgar, guttural, throat-thick, tongue-gross Italian accent. The chef who sings to the romantic dogs has clearly never been to Italy; and the food he serves is only fit for dogs. What else can we do but laugh when the chef’s big guts push out: “the night will weave its magic spell…” And the meaninglessness of the line, “look at the skies/they have stars in their eyes,” is terribly exposed by the ridiculousness of the chef’s over-swollen “OOOOO” and over-round “ARRRRRSSSS.”
But once he is done, once the mad man has returned to his malodorous restaurant, the second part of “Belle Notte” is swiftly picked up by a swoon of professional singers, and in a matter of moments we are high in the music’s clouds, flying through melodious moonlight. The soft harmonies rise; the sweet voices sing: “side by side with your loved one/you will find the enchantment here.”
From the center of this strange transition—from the gutter to the stars, from the belly to the heart, from the vulgar to the heavenly, from laughter to love, from the body to the spirit—radiates the madness/magic of “Belle Notte.”
One which I truly enjoy playing on the accordion. Co-written by Sonny Burke and Peggy Lee!
Did he really just say over-round arse?
I'm going to have to pass. On the agreeing. With you.
Agreed.
I can't get enuf Disney either!
Holy, um, holy cow. I. Wow. Are you high? I'm baffled as to what chain of associations led to this epiphany. Looking at skylines, researching antique architecturals debates, okay, noticing things in a magazine stand and out your window, okay, but, uh... why were you watching Lady and the Tramp at noon on a Friday?
Lady and the Tramp also had the gross "siamese cats". It was a different time and they could get away with different things, which I am glad to say that is no longer the case. It just means that when we look back, we have to sift out this type of stuff and look at it for what it is; racist stereotyping; while still understanding and enjoying the rest for it place in pop culture history.
I find disney cartoons a guilty pleasure. The soundtrack to Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Aladdin are tucked safely into my iPod. Make fun if you must, but I know ya'll have some peice of media that you wouldn't be proud to advertise.
"We all agree" ??? Ummm, no!
Don't you hate that kinda conversation where someone decides for all.
Like politicians saying "on behalf of all Americans everywhere.....Blah! Blah! (or in my case Canadian or English)
But they all do it. and Now I have to agree that a song in a insipid Disney film is "wonderful".
ickt don't tink so!
but, b @8, don't you know "it's a fact"? (see cm's recent assertion on american artists).
Leave Charles alone, you creeps.
He's a father, so of course he watches Disney movies.
Marijuana is the only possible explanation for this post.
What I don't understand is why, Charles, you have to start every post assuming, rather, telling me I agree with whatever you're about to say.
I mean, I love Disney movies too, but it's obnoxious.
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