This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Irma La Douce.
1963, United Artists.
Andre Previn.
Rykodisc, CD, 1998, RCD 10729. Rating:
The songs in Billy Wilder’s stage musical comedy were removed for this screen version starring Shirley Maclaine as a Parisian poule (hooker) and Jack Lemmon as the flic (policeman) who falls for her. Andre Previn scored the movie, which incorporates elements of the musical’s score with new material, playing up the comedic element - as Nestor (Lemmon) attempts to stop Irma from sleeping with other men - with a definite French feel; put simply: lots of accordion and strings.
The most effective cues accentuate both the femininity of Irma’s character (’Meet Irma’, that resurfaces throughout the score), and the joyful exuberance and humour of the situations that the characters find themselves in. Previn’s ability to move from bawdy and colourful (’Main Title’, ‘Easy Living The Hard Way‘) to romantic and restrained (‘Don’t Take All Night’) so seamlessly also makes this something special. This deluxe edition includes full liner notes and web links. Irma La Douce Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Main Title.
2. Meet Irma.
3. This Is The Story.
4. Nestor, The Honest Policeman.
5. Our Language of Love.
6. Don’t Take All Night.
7. The Market.
8. East Living The Hard Way.
9. Escape.
10. Wedding Ring.
11. The return of Lord X.
12. In The Tub with Fieldglasses.
13. Goodbye Lord X.
14. I’m Sorry Irma.
15. Juke Box: Let’s Pretend Love.
16. Juke Box: Look Again.
17. But That’s Another Story.
Valley Of The Dolls.
1967, 20th Century Fox.
Dory & Andre Previn.
Philips CD, 314 536 876-2 Rating:
Valley Of The Dolls is one of those big budget (for the time period) Hollywood events that is all show and no real sizzle. Based on the bestselling potboiler by Jacqueline Susann, it’s about three young women from vastly different backgrounds working in the entertainment business whose lives converge and then collapse due to their various addictions. Packed with pill-popping movie stars and overwrought performances, the film contains plenty to laugh about but whether that was what director Mark Robson, who made the film version of Peyton Place into a hit, intended we will probably never know. ‘Dolls’ is essentially a melodrama and the soundtrack reflects this, though there are some good melodies and performances here including ‘It’s Impossible’ , ‘I’ll Plant My Own Tree’ and the ‘Theme From Valley Of The Dolls’, performed by Barbara Parkins who stars in the film. The cues combine 1960s pop and jazz – extremely lightweight but listenable, which pretty much sums up the whole score. Valley Of The Dolls Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Theme From ‘Valley Of The Dolls’
2. It’s Impossible
3. Ann At Lawrenceville
4. Chance Meeting
5. Neely’s Career Montage
6. Come Live with Me
7. I’ll Plant My Own Tree
8. The Gillian Girl Commercial
9. Jennifer’s French Movie
10. Give A Little More
11. Jennifer’s Recollection
12. Theme From ‘Valley Of The Dolls’ (reprise)
Other Versions Available:
Valley Of The Dolls Soundtrack LP
EMI Stateside, LP, 1967, SSL 10228 Rating: Track Listing:
Side One:
1. Theme From ‘Valley Of The Dolls’
2. It’s Impossible
3. Ann At Lawrenceville
4. Chance Meeting
5. Neely’s Career Montage
6. Come Live with Me
Side Two:
1. I’ll Plant My Own Tree
2. The Gillian Girl Commercial
3. Jennifer’s French Movie
4. Give A Little More
5. Jennifer’s Recollection
6. Theme From ‘Valley Of The Dolls’ (reprise)
