According to Variety, Disney’s new 2D feature THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG has made its way to be one of the scores ok’d to compete for the Original Score Oscar. This is certainly ironic since according to the Academy rules all movie that the ”scores diminished in impact by the predominant use of songs” are kicked out of the running. The rule was created after a 4 year sweep for the Original Score Oscar by Disney musicals, making a category made to reward ”dramatic underscoring, in actuality an award in song writing. However, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG may still be disqualified for “diminished impact” down the road, but has made the first cut.
In other musical news, Simpson’s fans are on pins and needles over the premiere of the 450th episode of THE SIMPSONS. “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” is a musical ode to TV ratings and the power of the female tween demographic staring the voice of Anne Hathaway as Krusty the Clown’s new sidekick Princess Penelope.
She’s a wonderful singer who can sing in this Disney-esque kind of fantasy voice,” says “Simpsons” composer Alf Clausen, who penned three original tunes and arranged two more for the show, in addition to composing the episode’s underscore. The original songs (with lyrics by “Simpsons” writer Stephanie Gillis) are very much in the early-Disney “Snow White” style, he says.
Airing after “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” is The Simpsons’ 20th anniversary episode “The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice.” Catch them both this Sunday on Fox at 8 PM.
