--------------------- [excerpt from Apropos of Nothing, by Woody Allen - Copyright 2020, Arcade Publishing] -----------------
It [the film Annie Hall] got nominated for a number of Oscars. The night of the ceremony I was playing jazz in New York. I remember playing "Jackass Blues," a tune made famous by King Oliver.
I used my gig as an excuse, but I wouldn't have gone if I was free. I don't like the idea of awards for artistic things. They're not created for the purpose of competition; they're made to fulfill an artistic itch and hopefully entertain.
I'm not interested in any group's pronunciamento as to which film is the best film of the year, or the best book, or the Most Valuable Player.
I don't want to get into this and waste my typewriter ribbon, because then I'll have to get that guy over who changes it and feed him. Suffice it to say, Oscar night, I played the blues best I could, went home, went to sleep, and the next morning on page one of the Times noticed down below we had won four Oscars including Best Picture....
I was in the midst of writing Interiors, and that's what held my attention. Not a movie I'd done a year ago. Don't look back, Satchel Paige said, something may be gaining on you. I heed that great man's advice. I try never to look back, I don't like living in the past.
-30-
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