Instead of naming your favorite score of his, why not name the score you've not heard that you'd like to? That way we'll probably hear about more obscure stuff.
The IMDB list includes about 105 Raksin pictures on it---some of them 10 minute shorts, about 20 or so uncredited (sometimes contributions to films of others).
Of those 105, I've seen 68, and so I've pretty well covered the major Raksin projects.
One of those I have seen, but is now obscure and qualifies for your list is TWILIGHT FOR THE GODS, a "Grand Hotel" kind of drama based on a novel by Ernest K. Gann, about the alcoholic captain of a rusting and dilapidated old cargo ship with some 12 paying passengers on their way to new or different lives.
Major difficulties ensue as the ship begins sinking enroute to the tropics. Will everyone make it or not, or will they all drown in the Pacific? Though the plot sounds "old-hat", the film is quite entertaining as it plays out.
It was made by Universal, around 1958, in CinemaScope and color, and stars Rock Hudson, Cyd Charisse, Arthur Kennedy, and a host of character types.
The score, with a central theme that keeps recurring, is really wonderful, and once you've heard that theme, it's stuck in your mind for days.
I saw the film when it first came out, and I made a tape of the picture years ago, but the film never seems to run anymore. I don't remember ever seeing a pre-recorded video, though there may have been one.
I've heard most of what he wrote. So maybe whatever he did for THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD would get my curiosity. Frankly a choice of what that has been unreleased we'd that like to see released might yield better results. My vote: INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER.
I've heard most of what he wrote. So maybe whatever he did for THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD would get my curiosity. Frankly a choice of what that has been unreleased we'd that like to see released might yield better results. My vote: INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER.
The score I lust after is SEPARATE TABLES. Unforgettable score and a great film.
That one is in the possession of Marilee Bradford of the Film Music Society. Bruce has tried over the years of convincing her to allow a CD of the score made available to the public. No luck so far. Perhaps Bruce's new found wealth might convince her, although I doubt it. At least release it as a way of having contributions given to the Film Music Society. They have done that in the past with Rosenman and Tiomkin.
I've heard most of what he wrote. So maybe whatever he did for THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD would get my curiosity. Frankly a choice of what that has been unreleased we'd that like to see released might yield better results. My vote: INVITATION TO A GUNFIGHTER.
Will Penny too !
"Invitation To A Gunfighter" was already put out on "The Unforgiven: Classic Western Film Scores From United Artists" 3 C.D. set by F.S.M..
By sheer coincidence, I watched The Big Combo yesterday afternoon, and immediately started looking to see if it were available - sad to see it was not, but reminded me I need to pull out some Raksin and give him a spin. Starting with the great Kritzerland Otto Preminger set.
