This was supposed to be Volume One of a three-disc set. I've heard that Varése has passed on subsequent volumes. It they have, it's a pity.

I hope and pray that FSM, or Prometheus, or Percepto will pick up the future volumes. This music is too, too good to go unreleased forever!

NP: "Cliffhangers!: Music from the Classic Republic Serials"--Various Composers

It has an old fashioned sound that you really have to be ready for, and I haven't played it in a long time. What are your favorite cues, and what kind of feelings do they bring about?
[This message has been edited by ZapBrannigan (edited 01 August 2001).]

I regret that even a subscription offer was not made by Varese. This is music I have long admired. Occasionaly, the Paxton cues still show up in BBC programs (recently, Edward on Edward, shown in the U.S. on PBS).

You wouldn't say that if you grew up watching it. And I'll take "old-fashioned" any day over what passes for current fashion! I've already talked at length about this show and its music and will simply reiterate that you haven't heard rousing action/adventure music until you've heard Last Reel Fight.

It, along with several other snippets of Rozsa's concert music, was appropriated by the show's producers without authorization, prompting the composer to sue and win a financial settlement in court (the court judgement did not, however, mandate the producers' removal of the music from their completed episodes, where it can be heard to this day). The REAL Superman would never have approved of such larceny.

If you want to hear that part (or all)of Rozsa's "Theme, Variations and Finale," it is available on the Koch label, catalog no. 3-7191-2 H1, with James Sedares conducting the New Zealand Symphony.
[This message has been edited by Originalthinkr@aol.com (edited 02 August 2001).]

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[This message has been edited by Howard L (edited 02 August 2001).]

I recall that Pro Musica Sana, the excellent publication of the Rozsa Society, dealt with this subject briefly on at least one occasion. I, myself, have heard the Rozsa music in at least a couple of episodes of "The Adventures of Superman (one of which involved the hunt for a killer disguised as an innocent circus clown, the other having to do with somebody dressed in a bad gorilla suit). I would suggest you post a question on the Rozsa Society's "Rozsa Forum" board; I imagine that John Fitzpatrick or one of the contributors will be able to cite the specific instances of the unauthorized use of Rozsa's concert music and, perhaps, expand on the legal imbroglio that followed.
[This message has been edited by Originalthinkr@aol.com (edited 03 August 2001).]

NP: "Quills" by Stephen Warbeck

Can anybody identify the episodes (if any) in which "Men of Steel" (i.e., the eighth variation, "Moderato molto giusto") was used?

John Fitzpatrick

Footnote: the movement sometimes titled "Men of Steel," was issued as one side of a 78rpm disc in the 1940s. A friend of mine had a copy, but dropped it one day, and it broke into several pieces -- so, even if the men were of steel, the record was of rather vulnerable laquer.
[This message has been edited by Originalthinkr@aol.com (edited 04 August 2001).]

The meanie ("Crackers") pretending to be Rollo the Clown was portrayed by the great character actor Peter Brocco. The episode also had the guy who played Cousin Eustace in It's A Wonderful Life.

"...the other having to do with somebody dressed in a bad gorilla suit)..."

That's gotta be the one when a ditsy blond stole the diamond eye from a jungle idol. Ol' Supe tossed the big monkey around a la WWF, stamped his foot and the thing took off waving its arms & scowling http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/biggrin.gif">. Anyway, gonna have to pursue this Rozsa thing. Thanks for the tip.

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[This message has been edited by Howard L (edited 04 August 2001).]

I, too, once saw the 78 that had the two variations on it. The seventh variation was labeled "Tumult and Commotion." My understanding is that this was recording that Paxton made under license to be used as library cues. I wonder if the disruption of the normal rights process during World War II had something to do with this. The TV&F was published by the German publisher Eulenberg. Is it possible that they or some intermediary licensed the music in the absence of the composer?

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Crusaders of Animation Scores deserving of a CD release! Join us NOW!

Superman certainly contains effusive action-packed cues (Brawl is another knockout--no pun intended) but there are also moments that are ferociously corny...and no less intoxicating! It's a dangerous thing to put on La Tango, e.g., when you're at work with headphones on. Too easy for colleagues to notice your bumping & grinding while you're not noticing them noticing you http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/redface.gif">

PS

there is a truly corny Kellogg's commercial (again, no pun inten...) with the voices of George Reeves & John Hamilton in character tacked onto an unlisted track 36 that must be heard to be believed

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[This message has been edited by Howard L (edited 06 September 2001).]