Oh come on, Peter, count your blessings. At least they didn't have Karas score FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN.
(Count me among the millions -- yes, millions -- who have loved both the Carol Reed film AND its score ever since it first appeared in the 40's. I'm sorry the score doesn't work for you, but as Mark Twain said, and I'm fond of quoting, It's a difference of opinion that makes horse races. So, I respect your right to your own opinion, but for what it's worth, I've seen THE THIRD MAN with large and small audiences and have never witnessed the reaction you describe. I'll bet we've all had the unfortunate experience of watching a favorite film with some audience that just doesn't "get" it. All I can do at such times is chalk it up to mob psychology.)
....... and, Laughton didn't use the zither for NIGHT OF THE HUNTER!
We had an interesting thread on this starting October 2, 2006. I don't know how to post the thread here but type in the FSM search terms: Anton Karas .... It's the second thread down.
Millions and millions love the zither? Hmmm .... I did see some negative comments on the zither use in THE THIRD MAN at YouTube but I would guess most people approve of its use. As I mentioned years ago, I like the main theme on the zither and a few scenes it may work fine. But the entire film? Sorry, too much for me to bear. Too annoying and distracting. In many scenes it's totally out of place, seems like it never goes away!
Thanks so much for posting this video! I started it without paying attention to it's running time, then immediately got so involved in the (various) interviews that I forgot about an appointment I had. If you have the time, play this as it is different interviews from around 1970 through 1980 or so. Informative and very entertaining stuff!
