You finally got to the music. Bravo for the whole thing. I have always been irritated that TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD has received practically all the attention while SUMMER AND SMOKE remained obscure, particularly since the former owes quite a bit to the latter. Even here the suggestion of a bit of THE GREAT ESCAPE being included made two years later. Much of what is great about Elmer started with SUMMER AND SMOKE and it deserves the recognition you have given it.
My only experience with Geraldine Page prior to this had been the glorious The Trip To Bountiful and an about-face supporting role in The Pope Of Greenwich Village. Das eet. It's not like I'm not aware of her career, just have never caught the other biggies. Point being that her Alma captivated me, could not help but be reminded of F. Murray Abraham's Best Actress announcement and his genuflection when Miss Page approached the podium. She was Oscar worthy all right in TTTB and I thought she was that good here as well. Almost like seeing "Mrs. Watts" in younger days!
A couple of other memorable Geraldine Page performances: TOYS IN THE ATTIC and SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, both wonderfully neurotic aging ladies a la SAS...
Also check out WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO AUNT ALICE??. It's a forgotten gem in the old hag horror genre that was popular in the 60s. Page and Ruth Gordon are excellent opponents.
I love talking about the scoring of a film and then the soundtrack when both are worth a damn. Right from the get-go with Prologue I practically shouted he's doing it again, telling a story!
If musical "storytelling" is what you want reflected in the album, then you will likely regret that some "source cues" and "the band music" are presented out of sequence as a sort of appendix. The first scenes of the narrative, after all, are explicitly woven into the context of a band concert. To segregate or to integrate? There are good arguments on both sides of that eternal soundtrack question, and I'm not about to take issue with Kritzerand's choices on this wonderful album.
If musical "storytelling" is what you want reflected in the album, then you will likely regret that some "source cues" and "the band music" are presented out of sequence as a sort of appendix.
You're a mind-reader. After I hit the eight remaining tracks was not sure how to approach those items. Would make for an interesting exercise to listen to them in filmic sequence strictly for the reason you cite. Agreed, listening to them as is ain't exactly a killer. Too much to celebrate. Wonderful album indeed.
You finally got to the music. Bravo for the whole thing. I have always been irritated that TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD has received practically all the attention while SUMMER AND SMOKE remained obscure, particularly since the former owes quite a bit to the latter. Even here the suggestion of a bit of THE GREAT ESCAPE being included made two years later. Much of what is great about Elmer started with SUMMER AND SMOKE and it deserves the recognition you have given it.
Hey I started getting to the music five days ago. See above. Oh what's the matter with me this is no time to whine THANKS!
PS I am the recipient from an FSMissionary of both film and soundtrack and have accepted his 'challenge' and shall give it the usual board treatment in the near future.
If musical "storytelling" is what you want reflected in the album, then you will likely regret that some "source cues" and "the band music" are presented out of sequence as a sort of appendix.
You're a mind-reader. After I hit the eight remaining tracks was not sure how to approach those items. Would make for an interesting exercise to listen to them in filmic sequence strictly for the reason you cite. Agreed, listening to them as is ain't exactly a killer. Too much to celebrate. Wonderful album indeed.
You finally got to the music. Bravo for the whole thing. I have always been irritated that TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD has received practically all the attention while SUMMER AND SMOKE remained obscure, particularly since the former owes quite a bit to the latter. Even here the suggestion of a bit of THE GREAT ESCAPE being included made two years later. Much of what is great about Elmer started with SUMMER AND SMOKE and it deserves the recognition you have given it.
Hey I started getting to the music five days ago. See above. Oh what's the matter with me this is no time to whine THANKS!
PS I am the recipient from an FSMissionary of both film and soundtrack and have accepted his 'challenge' and shall give it the usual board treatment in the near future.
Hey Dana see what YOU started?!
I'm thoroughly enjoying your enjoyment! (I knew there was some good taste in there somewhere )
)