Straight Time has some very memorable themes, indeed. The main theme has a folksy, almost lighthearted feel--certainly not how one would describe the film, so that the music operates in an ironic sort of way.
There is also a secondary theme that shows up when the situation gets more dire, I recall this theme used during at least one pivotal scene between Dustin Hoffman and Theresa Russell. It made the moment that much more powerful, IMHO.
Didn't some of this score appear--at least one track--on a prior Shire compilation?
Never saw the film, but will definitely now. Love young Hoffman and Shire's music sounds great.
Amazing how in the 70's Hoffman and Al Pacino looked like the same person. Here Dustin could be playing Pacino's role in SERPICO and Pacino, Dusty's vicey vercey!
This is a great film and I just watched it myself a few days ago. I saw it in the theaters when it orginally came out. It did not do too well due to Dustin's performance was a bad guy. I like the theme alot and it's repeated as the end titles but I honestly cannot see doing a full cd becuase it is such a sparse score.
I saw this film when it came out in a cinema one afternoon virtually on my own in the auditorium - the only place to watch films in peace - afternoon screenings!!
I took the video out on release and recorded the music sections and some dialogue. It has some nice themes but, like the other posters have said, I dont recall the suite I taped being very long. The end theme is particularly good - very David Shire - these days it would be the bit that the announcer talks over.
Havent seen the film for a few years but I remember coming away from it thinking it highlighted just how much people let you down in life, especially the ones who talk a good game and convince you they are going to deliver.
The YouTube clip cited above is a good representation of the score's main theme. The film is a fine example of gritty 70's cinema, and I'd welcome a score release.
