I saw this movie a couple of days ago and quite liked Victor Young's romantic score. However, there doesn't seem to be any real release of the score. Do any of you connoiseurs know which CD release contains a good rendition of the main themes and/or a good suite? I seem to recall there was a Phase 4 re-release that had Stanley Black conducting a suite, but my memory fails beyond that. Anyway, I would appreciate your help because i'd like to acquire a good recording of this material. Young seems to get a lot of hate because of his 1000-string, unashamed romantic sound, but he was a darn fine melodist.
Young recorded a suite for around 1950. It came out on a set of 78s, then was reissued as a 10" Decca LP, then as a 12" Decca LP, backed by selections from THE QUIET MAN. This coupling was later issued as a Varese LP and, later, an early Varese CD. The suite zooba posted is this Decca/Varese recording:
The Koch CD with the short rerecorded suite basically offers nothing that isn't on the Young recording, except for a slightly longer version of one of the softer themes (I think it's Semadar's theme).
And, out of these recordings, there is the complete music score, about 55 minutes, on the isolated FX track of the laser-disc edition, not so seriously wasted by effects.
This is excellent score deserves a complete re-recording, sad the problems with the cost do do more new worderful re-recordings like Tribute and Naxos did before.
As I recall, the tracks were isolated on a laser release, though they also had effects. (Although, frankly, the sound of that huge stone idol beginning to ever so slightly move is one of the creepiest moments in cinema from that period. Everyone stops jeering, and there's an eerie hush, as they all contemplate for the first time that this blind thug just might be able to do what he's attempting... )
Superb score. Unfortunately, the old Varese CD release is poor. The original LP had 12 cues listed, the Varese lists only 9 of them (all as one single track), and even then it's gibberish – the correct Decca LP cue title "Miriam and the Dance to Dagon" is presented by Varese as "Miriam and the Dance Dragon".
A classic Victor Young score to be sure. Do the original tracks still exist? If so, I'm surprised it hasn't been done already by Kritzerland, LLL, Intrada etc. I first saw the film in the movie theatre in the 50s, again in the late 60s. Looked great up on the big screen. I hope we will some day see a proper CD of this colorful Victor Young score!
Posted: Apr 15, 2015 - 10:48 AM Report Abuse Reply to Post By: John B. Archibald (Member)
As I recall, the tracks were isolated on a laser release, though they also had effects. ************************************************************************** I pulled out my SAMSON AND DELILAH Laser Disc (Paramount LV 6726-2) (2-Disc Gatefold Cover). The back cover says: ANALOG RIGHT CHANNEL = "Music Only" Track
So now you had me wondering: is the back cover right about "Music Only" or did they make an boo-boo and actually have a "Music and Effects" track? Memory wasn't helpful.
The proof of the pudding is in the playing: John is correct. The cover is wrong. It's a "Music & Effects" track. Victor Young's very fine score was Oscar-nominated, but lost to Franz Waxman's SUNSET BOULEVARD.
I have a rip of that old laser. One big problem is that most of the scenes where Samson spends time with Delilah in her tent are from another part of the movie . . .I would say about a good 12 to 15 minutes are not the actual soundtrack as Victor Young wrote for it. All other scenes are the actual M&E. Hopefully the tracks are lazing around in the vaults awaiting for one of the labels to unchain them!!!!
I produced the Laserdisc of Samson. All we had was a music and effects track. But that was along time ago, and since then, many things have been found at Paramoutn. I don't know about this.
Victor Young also recorded a Samson and Delilah Volume Two that was never released. As of 1995, the master tapes were still in the Decca vault.
Perhaps some great detective work will give us a complete SAMSON AND DELILAH in the future. There are now quite a few specialty labels dealing with Paramount. Here's hoping that one of them will hit the jackpot.
Perhaps some great detective work will give us a complete SAMSON AND DELILAH in the future. There are now quite a few specialty labels dealing with Paramount. Here's hoping that one of them will hit the jackpot.
If they do it would be an instant purchase for me!
Perhaps some great detective work will give us a complete SAMSON AND DELILAH in the future. There are now quite a few specialty labels dealing with Paramount. Here's hoping that one of them will hit the jackpot.
If they do it would be an instant purchase for me!
Joe Caps mentions the "Volume Two" that Young recorded. I know he's mentioned this before, and it really aroused the collector in me. I would love to hear what he recorded. Joe has also mentioned in the past that there was a 45EP for THE CONQUEROR (also Young). What a great start right there. Take the Decca recording of SAMSON AND DELILAH that WAS released (let's call it "Volume One), combine it with the unreleased "Volume Two" tracks, add on THE CONQUEROR tracks as a bonus, and you're already up to maybe an hour's worth of music, maybe more. (I'm basing that timing on the idea that "Volume Two" might be about the same length as "Volume One," plus the typical playing time of an EP of 10-12 mins. or so.)
Joe Caps mentions the "Volume Two" that Young recorded. I know he's mentioned this before, and it really aroused the collector in me. I would love to hear what he recorded. Joe has also mentioned in the past that there was a 45EP for THE CONQUEROR (also Young). What a great start right there. Take the Decca recording of SAMSON AND DELILAH that WAS released (let's call it "Volume One), combine it with the unreleased "Volume Two" tracks, add on THE CONQUEROR tracks as a bonus, and you're already up to maybe an hour's worth of music, maybe more. (I'm basing that timing on the idea that "Volume Two" might be about the same length as "Volume One," plus the typical playing time of an EP of 10-12 mins. or so.)
I'd buy one in an instant.
Surely, THE CONQUEROR score must have survived somewhere. If not the 45EP, then perhaps the music elements might be found at Universal who now own the rights to this Howard Hughes produced film.
