That Time Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy Made Magic at the Oscars

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Many iconic artists like Celine Dion, Elton John, and Whitney Houston have performed songs nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars. These performances are always a big spectacle, ranging from elaborate musical numbers to catchy Disney tunes and dramatic theme songs. But in my opinion, none have been as memorable as Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy’s performance of “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” in 2004. It was from Christopher Guest’s mockumentary A Mighty Wind, which remains the only Oscar nomination for any of his films. Though Robin Williams’ performance of “Blame Canada” in 2000 was also great, O’Hara and Levy’s performance is my all-time favorite musical moment from the Oscars.

The emotional heart of the film A Mighty Wind centers around the song “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow.” The movie follows three folk music groups from the 1960s who reunite in 2003 for a televised concert honoring their late producer. Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara play Mitch and Mickey, a former romantic duo who performed as “Mitch & Mickey.” They haven’t seen each other since their breakup, and their most famous song, “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow,” always ended with a kiss before the final lyrics. As the film progresses, the main question becomes whether Mitch and Mickey will kiss again when they perform the song. During the performance, all the other comedic characters stop arguing and become completely silent, captivated by the duo’s harmonies, and eagerly await the potential kiss.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=3eflj2EWZzg&list=RD3eflj2EWZzg&start_radio=1

Catherine O’Hara often showcased her singing talent in her comedic roles, whether it was as the glamorous lounge singer Dusty Towne on SCTV, the eccentric Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, or in the quirky musical comedies Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. However, her portrayal of Mickey is different – it’s a surprisingly subtle, melancholic, and understated performance that beautifully complements Eugene Levy’s over-the-top character. It feels like a blend of her other comedic roles and her charming vocal work as Sally in The Nightmare Before Christmas.

During the Oscars performance, Catherine O’Hara delivered a captivating performance, focusing her gaze on Eugene Levy to convey her character’s complex emotions – love, concern, and regret – all at once. It was a delicate balance, both in terms of portraying the character and giving a sincere performance. The song itself, written by Michael McKean and Annette O’Toole, was also intentionally nuanced. It needed to make the audience feel the characters’ emotional journey, but like all the music in A Mighty Wind, it also playfully satirized the more sentimental side of early 1960s folk music. The duet was openly sweet and filled with lyrics reminiscent of flowery, old-fashioned ballads. What truly made it special was the distinctive sound of the autoharp, which O’Hara learned to play for the film and played beautifully live at the Oscars. It was enchanting to see O’Hara convincingly portray her character’s sadness, draw the audience into the song’s beauty, and still manage to sell lyrics that were gently humorous.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=z9rj-Pz1vag

During the Oscars, when Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy performed the song with its famous kiss, O’Hara unexpectedly stopped, looked down, and quietly said, “I can’t.” She appeared on the verge of tears and shook her head. When Levy leaned in to kiss her anyway, the audience erupted in applause. Like their characters, O’Hara and Levy had worked together for many years, with future projects like the film For Your Consideration in 2006 and the hit TV show Schitt’s Creek still to come. This moment was a genuinely touching, unusual, and memorable part of both Oscar history and O’Hara’s career, highlighting the special connection that develops when artists collaborate over many years. Although “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” didn’t win Best Original Song – losing to “Into the West” from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King – and wasn’t even nominated for a “Best Kiss” award, the song and this performance are more valuable than any award.

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2026-01-31 03:54