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Posted: |
Mar 22, 2024 - 12:36 AM
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By: |
Lokutus
(Member)
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https://buysoundtrax.myshopify.com/collections/dragons-domain-records-1/products/the-golden-age-of-science-fiction-volume-3
Dragon’s Domain is proud to present the third volume in their Golden Age series with three more classic original scores by musical masters of the genre.
CAT-WOMEN OF THE MOON (1953) was an early work by legendary composer Elmer Bernstein, who went on to score such popular movies as STRIPES and GHOSTBUSTERS. Released September 3, 1953, this film shares a plot similar to a movie released just five months earlier, ABBOTT AND COSTELLO GO TO MARS— wherein an alien society is led by beautiful women who seduce visiting Earth astronauts. This has now become a familiar and overused trope in science-fiction films.
CAT-WOMEN OF THE MOON stretched its limited budget with costumes and Chesley Bonestell lunar background paintings recycled from DESTINATION MOON (1950), plus the space ship interior set was borrowed from PROJECT MOONBASE (released to theaters just one day later).
ROBOT MONSTER, released 2 months after the original INVADERS FROM MARS, shares a similar theme of an alien invasion as seen through a young boy’s dream. Filmed for a fraction of INVADER’S $290,000 budget at an estimated cost of $16,000 (with a quarter of that funding its 3D process), ROBOT MONSTER made a sizable profit, grossing $1 million.
Bernstein’s score used only an 8-piece ensemble, yet his theme for the character of Ro-Man is very effective and memorable, thanks in part to the unusual inclusion of chimes, which have become synonymous with the film.
DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS comes from “across the pond,” produced in England by American brothers Edward and Harry Danzinger. Their prolific output during the 1950s and 60s was due to a belief that nothing should be wasted, especially pre-booked studio space. They would frequently commission a script to take advantage of standing sets when a production managed wrap up early. Such was the case with 1954’s DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS when CALLING SCOTLAND YARD, a series of theatrical featurettes (compiled into the 1956 NBC-TV series ADVENTURE THEATER) left the brothers with studio space reserved and paid for in advance.
Only his third film credit, the score was composed by Edwin Astley (1922-1998). Strongly influenced by jazz, he played both the clarinet and saxophone, frequently performing in various ensembles during and after World War II. In 1953, he began film scoring for the Danzinger Brothers before becoming known worldwide for his memorable work in the British made ITC TV series DANGER MAN (aka SECRET AGENT, 1960), THE SAINT (1962), and THE CHAMPIONS (1968).
This third volume in this Dragon’s Domain Records series has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland. Exclusive liner notes by author David Hirsch explores these classic films from sci-fi craze of the 1950s. This CD set is a limited run of 500 units. The Golden Age Of Science Fiction Volume 3 is expected to begin shipping the week of April 8th, 2024
SPECIAL NOTE: These recordings were originally taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks and therefore certain limitations from the source tapes may be evident. We have tried to preserve as closely as possible, the quality of the original recordings.
CAT-WOMEN OF THE MOON
(1953 - Elmer Bernstein)
01. Main Title (1:09)
02. Kip Saves The Ship (2:40)
03. Moonwalk To The Caves (3:48)
04. Spider Attack / The Lost City (3:02)
05. Welcoming Dance Of Seduction (4:01)
06. Escape / End Title (1:38)
07. Cat-Women Of The Moon (1953) Theatrical Trailer (1:41)
ROBOT MONSTER
(1953 - Elmer Bernstein)
08. Introduction and Main Title (2:51)
09. Playtime After The Apocalyps (4:53)
10. Ro-Man Chases The Hu-Mans (3:47)?
11. Wedding / Abduction / Finale (4:43)
12. Robot Monster (1953) Theatrical Trailer (1:29)
DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS
(1954 - Edwin Astley)
13. Main Title (1:18)
14. Arrival At The Inn (1:27)
15. Weird Craft Lands (1:18)
16. Strong Emotions (2:42)
17. Robot At Full Power (3:33)
18. Inside The Saucer (3:34)
19. A Last Bargain (1:57)
20. Free Will / End Titles (2:42)
21. Devil Girl From Mars (1954) Theatrical Trailer (1:38)
Total Time 56:52
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Triple E! Elmer, Elmer & Edwin.
If these titles were released two years ago, then they could've part of their centenary during 2022 (both were born in 1922).
It appears that Robot Monster was Elmer B.'s 6th film score with Cat-Women of the Moon as his 7th.
Both pre-date The Eternal Sea & Make Haste to Live, so this Dragon's Domain album will add to the Bernstein discography his earliest available recordings yet.
Even more encouraging (to me) is this issuing of Astley's Devil Girl from Mars because so little of vintage 1950s British recordings have materialized onto discs. The 1959 LP on Shake Hands with the Devil by William Alwyn is one of the rare instances of British film music from that decade receiving a soundtrack album.
Not until the '90s did record producers commence music programs from Quatermass movies, Hammer horrors plus other late-'50s genres.
Here's hoping for more such content in the immediate future. 
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P.S.
The main titles for Cat Women of the Moon credit Elmer Bernstein as Elmer Bernstien!
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I don't know what I think of the two Bernstein scores after listening to the samples, but that final sample on the BSX website, that is for the Edwin Astley score, was really good.
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All three soundtracks appear to be from music & effects tracks.
FYI, it's stated clearly in the promotional copy
"SPECIAL NOTE: These recordings were originally taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks and therefore certain limitations from the source tapes may be evident. We have tried to preserve as closely as possible, the quality of the original recordings."
Given that Elmer did these two films for $800.00 (Each) and could only afford 8 to 10 players, they are both pretty damned good efforts.
Ford A. Thaxton
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So which/how many cues are taken from analogue masters, vs. music & effects?
Yavar
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I don't know what I think of the two Bernstein scores after listening to the samples, but that final sample on the BSX website, that is for the Edwin Astley score, was really good.
Something went wrong with the last sound clip of the Astley score on the BSX website. Instead of "Free Will/End Titles" from DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS you get to hear there "In God´s Hands/Mitch Lives" from the BSX CD-R release of Craig Safan´s SAMARITAN: THE MITCH SNIDER STORY.
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I don't know what I think of the two Bernstein scores after listening to the samples, but that final sample on the BSX website, that is for the Edwin Astley score, was really good.
Something went wrong with the last sound clip of the Astley score on the BSX website. Instead of "Free Will/End Titles" from DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS you get to hear there "In God´s Hands/Mitch Lives" from the BSX CD-R release of Craig Safan´s SAMARITAN: THE MITCH SNIDER STORY.
this issue has been fixed.
also SAMARITAN: THE MITCH SNIDER STORY is a very lovely score.
Ford A. Thaxton
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This is wonderful. I hear echoes of Cat Women and Robot Monster in his Toccata for Toy Trains. The sound is pretty rough but I guess this is the best we’ll get.
That one of the things that really impressed me, how he write these really interesting and color scores for only 8-10 players.
He was a hell of a talent.
Ford A. Thaxton
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