Frank Sinatra was in the cast, was billed above Yul Brynner and John Wayne, and his image appears on the film's poster that way. But he's missing from the LP cover (and Yul Brynner is elevated into his position), since United Artists wasn't his record label. But since Sinatra's name appears in the film's credit block on the back of the album, the text on the back makes it clear that "Frank Sinatra's voice does not appear in album."
Frank Sinatra was in the cast, was billed above Yul Brynner and John Wayne, and his image appears on the film's poster that way. But he's missing from the LP cover (and Yul Brynner is elevated into his position), since United Artists wasn't his record label. But since Sinatra's name appears in the film's credit block on the back of the album, the text on the back makes it clear that "Frank Sinatra's voice does not appear in album."
They also did this with Dean Martin and the BANDOLERO Soundtrack LP.
Dean Martin was definitely one of the stars along with James Stewart and Raquel Welch, but appears not on the LP Artwork. Even in the story synopsis on the album, his name is not mentioned, just his character's name. Record label contracts and procedures of the day.
I have the original LP but not the CD and I love it. But this post reminded me of an article in the magazine "Films and Filming", now long defunct and the article itself I lost years ago during a house move. In it it reported that both Elmer Bernstein and Jerry Goldsmith were both in London at the same time, Elmer recording "Cast a Giant Shadow" and Jerry recording "The Blue Max". I believe that Elmer, who was at the height of his fame and talent, was hugely impressed by Jerry Goldsmith, who was just at the beginning of his career but bemoaning the fact that within a couple of years his star would be eclipsed ( which proved to be accurate ) and Jerrys' would continue to soar. Interestingly, I recall that it also mentioned the fact that the leader of the orchestra that was assembled for Jerrys' opus was none other than the father of the actor David McCallum who both Elmer and Jerry were acquainted with. Elmer with "The Great Escape" and Jerry through "The Man from UNCLE"
I would love to read that article again. The memory of it has stayed with me for 50 years.
Interestingly, I recall that it also mentioned the fact that the leader of the orchestra that was assembled for Jerrys' opus was none other than the father of the actor David McCallum who both Elmer and Jerry were acquainted with. Elmer with "The Great Escape" and Jerry through "The Man from UNCLE"
I would love to read that article again. The memory of it has stayed with me for 50 years.
I also have the LP, but not the CD. It's one of my favourite Bernsteins, although for some reason I find myself having "grown away" from many other of his scores over time. Not quite sure why that is. They don't quite connect with me now as they did. But CAST A GIANT SHADOW is one of the (still many) terrific ones.
Yes, I remember the David McCallum Sr story. It must be documented all over the place in print, but I seem to recall hearing it being told - maybe at one of JG's concerts in the '80s (?)
My grandparents on my father's side lived next door to the McCallums for a few years (must have been mid-1920s to about early or mid-1930s). My gran always used to tell me that she could never get the baby (ie my dad, born 1927) to sleep due to "aw that screechin' frae next door" - which would be McCallum Sr tuning up I suppose.
I have a dollar LP that I dragged home from a thrift store or flea market. I don't think I've ever cleaned it. If I can find it among the unfilled LPs, I will give it a scrub on the trusted Nitty Gritty and report back.
Corker of an album - the most played Bernstein I have. It's simply one of those you can't get enough of. That powerhouse Prologue, similarly rhythmic to the Prelude from Some Came Running is stunningly effective and no less enthralling. Masterful moments follow throughout - a dynamic mix of rhythms, tempo changes, evocative passages - Land Of Hope, Road To Jerusalem and Victory On The Beach all high points for me. That low end brass in Gathering Of Forces stuns with its power. Clearly, Bernstein was inspired to great heights here by the source material. Anyway, I'm about to play it again ...
