"The Silent Era was never silent. There was always wonderful music, written for motion pictures," says host Tony Thomas, film historian and author of numerous film-related books. In those early days, pianists accompanied the flickering images. The talkies emerged in 1927 with Al Jolson as The Jazz Singer, and the first picture to feature a musical soundtrack from beginning to end appeared two years later: Bird of Paradise, with a score by film music composer legend Max Steiner (King Kong, Gone With the Wind). The program goes on to explore the development of the motion picture score through its early innovators: Steiner, Alfred Newman (Song of Bernadette), Erich Korngold (Anthony Adverse), and Miklos Rosza (Ben Hur, The Jungle Book). In addition to the above-named, the work of later artists, such as Bernard Herrmann (Psycho) and Hugo Friedhofer (Best Years of Our Lives) are discussed. Some of the more interesting bits include: a talk with composer David Raskin, who demonstrates a clip from Laura without the music, and then shows the difference once the music is added; a rare promotional clip for film music, which features Victor Young scoring the 1937 film Wells Fargo, and footage of modern composer Jerry Goldsmith recording the complex musical score for The Mephisto Waltz. This is an excellent introduction to an underappreciated aspect of filmmaking that is accessible to all audiences. Highly recommended. (See BUDD BOETTICHER: ONE ON ONE for availability.)
Film Score: Music Of The Movies
(1988) 60 m. $19.95. Sabado Film Productions Ltd. Public performance rights included. Vol. 4, Issue 7
Film Score: Music Of The Movies
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