old movie music

[Jonathan M. Hall]

Dear David and all.

I cannot remember if the call for music was limited to the prewar.  If not,
then SASAKI Yasushi's SOYOKAZE--RINGO NO UTA, would be indispensable to
your collection due to the film's and its premier song's historical
importance.  The film was in the makes during the war, and one of the first
released under the Occupation (I believe.)  John Dower's recent book,
Embracing Defeat, describes the famous Ringo no uta (The Apple Song) as
follows:

"In many recollections of these years, the moment when hope dawned can be
dated exactly to October 11, 1945, the day on which an otherwise
unmemorable film opened with a buoyant tune, Ringo no uta, that captured
everyone's fancy."

The song's not a favorite of mine, but still the historical importance of
the film--or the song, if you are Dower--demands it.  For those interested,
Dower gives a translation of the lyrics and a historical contextualization
of the song.  See Dower, Embracing Defeat, p 172-3.

Jonathan

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