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Thus began North's peculiar reduction in status and demand. I never could figure that out- he was hotter than hell for two decades then, phhh- forgotten.
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Posted: |
Jul 19, 2011 - 7:34 PM
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By: |
dan the man
(Member)
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To Zooba- WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL WONDERFUL, i always loved the music from that movie when i was young always looked for the lp in so many stores , but as we all know, back then finding all the great music scores on Lp's was often a futile attempt, we all know it's sequel Ben, had a top ten song sung by Michael Jackson, music by Walter Scharf, but the irony the lp was very rare and that was a hard find too. but you know i always felt that the main theme from North, did sound a little[just a little like Richard Rogers, Nothing comes from nothing, which was not in the original broadway show but was in the film version.I hope someone will put that score Willard -71- on CD some day.
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Posted: |
Jul 19, 2011 - 11:52 PM
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By: |
Bob DiMucci
(Member)
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A June 1971 Variety article reported that distributor Cinerama Releasing was initially uncertain about how much to emphasize the rats when advertising Willard. According to the Variety article, the advertising firm of Diener, Hauser, Greenthal organized two ad campaigns, both with the tagline “the one movie you should not see alone.” One campaign featured the rats while the other did not. Two test screenings were held in Pennsylvania on 26 February 1971, and the screening using the advertising with the rats grossed higher than the one that did not, so Cinerama Releasing decided to emphasize the rats in its exploitation campaign. Consequently, the picture’s highly popular posters featured either a single shot of Ben or a shot of Ben sitting on “Willard’s” shoulder, and the posters have since become a cult collector’s item. "Willard" became one of the biggest box-office hits of 1971, with grosses well over twelve million dollars in the first four months of its release.
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Posted: |
Jul 20, 2011 - 11:20 AM
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By: |
Zooba
(Member)
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I found Davison's portrayal quite sympathetic and nice. He had these little almost twitches going on. Of course he'd be a little messed up, living with his whacko., needy. sickly mother Elsa Lancaster in that gaudy big house. I think the actor's portrayal was quite good. At times I thought I was watching the young 80's Rat Packer (no pun intended) Andrew McCarthy with all his wild eye expressions and quirky acting style coming through in Davison. A young Roddy Mcdowall would have ate that role up to be sure.
North's music, especially the material played for the scenes with his mother was sad and poignant and almost heartbreaking at times. North's score is wonderful in all it's moodiness and his playful theme for the Rats and their scurrying is very nice. Sounds like pure North and you can hear echoes of some of his music in SHANKS, THE BAD SEED and even his 2001 Score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-R1JDx6PJ4&feature=related
I really enjoy the movie and even more so, this score.
I'd be pleased if it was released by one of our great Soundtrack teams.
There's so much North out there that's very deserving of release.
THE PENITENT, THE PASSOVER PLOT, SHANKS, THE WORD, PRIZZI'S HONOR, WISE BLOOD and more.
What are your thoughts on the movie WILLARD and Alex North's score?
Zoob
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