| VIP |
|---|
Subscribe to become a VIP member of SST!
· Request More Often
· Unshared Requests
· Request Countdown Timer
· Request Ready Indicator
· Your Request History
· Access To The VIP Forum
· Add More Favorites
:: Click Here To Upgrade ::
:: Give VIP as a Gift ::
|
|
| Listener Rating |
|---|
|
| 20 listener votes for this album. |
|
| Between Heaven and Hell/Soldier of Fortune |
|---|
| By: | AveD |
| Date: | 7 Oct 2011 |
| Rating: |
|
|
Hugo Friedhofer is possibly the most underrated composer of the time of the golden age films. Working under gurus- such as Korngold and Steiner - he learned his craft well and definitely achieved his own style.
<b>Between Heaven and Hell</b> is a double album - along with <b>Soldier of Fortune</b> - difficult to tell this from the cover art!
<b>Between Heaven and Hell, 1956</b> is an intelligent war story following a young soldier (Robert Wagner) in WWII. The music was written with a more meditative take on war instead of the typical way most war films are described. It was composed with a coming together of two styles, exhibited by the score's two main themes - a sublime love theme, & the vigorous theme for the war scenes. The former can be heard in the main character's flashbacks. (tracks 1,4,5)
According to another review: "the main war theme was adapted from Dies Irae, a traditional chant of the dead, which Friedhofer turned into an oppressive march & a furious action cue - one of the genre's best - for the finale." (quoted from FSM) This is
track 15 - <b>"Don't Argue / Desperate Journey"</b>, a phenomenal piece which starts with piano and percussion and keeps building into the previously noted furious action cue.
<b>Soldier of Fortune, 1955</b> is the story of a powerful businessman in Hong Kong - Hank Lee (Clark Gable) who is approached by a women (Susan Hayward) who is searching for her missing photojournalist husband. They do not see eye-to-eye at first so she sets out alone. Lee ultimately rescues her after her dangerous search ends and goes off to be the big hero. The film's exotic setting is filled with scenes of sampan sailing vessels, scenery around Hong Kong, etc - all the Asian flavor you could ever want.
SOF is my personal favorite because I like romantic adventure films but most of all due to its lush score. The main theme (love theme) is my most very fave "Hollywood-ish" movie theme of all time-from way back- because I <i>go</i> way back. It is heard in the main title, piano theme, end title, track 20 and at its hauntingly beautiful best on track 26. <b>Lee and Jane</b>
One of the more rousing cues is <b>Tweedies</b>- a medley of 50's era songs sung by the drinking members of Tweedies night club. (track 29)
Unfortunately, the score was damaged in storage losing several cues but was restored as best as possible. You can hear a little of the damage on the end title track. Overall, though, the restorers did a terrific job in bringing back one of Friedhofer's very best film scores.
Hoping you enjoy listening to this album as much as I do. imho, Golden Age classic film music is truly a treasure.
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Please log in to vote on this review |
| Between Heaven and Hell/Soldier of Fortune |
|---|
| By: | AveD |
| Date: | 7 Oct 2011 |
| Rating: |
|
|
Hugo Friedhofer is possibly the most underrated composer of the time of the golden age films. Working under gurus- such as Korngold and Steiner - he learned his craft well and definitely achieved his own style.
<b>Between Heaven and Hell</b> is a double album - along with <b>Soldier of Fortune</b> - difficult to tell this from the cover art!
<b>Between Heaven and Hell, 1956</b> is an intelligent war story following a young soldier (Robert Wagner) in WWII. The music was written with a more meditative take on war instead of the typical way most war films are described. It was composed with a coming together of two styles, exhibited by the score's two main themes - a sublime love theme, & the vigorous theme for the war scenes. The former can be heard in the main character's flashbacks. (tracks 1,4,5)
According to another review: "the main war theme was adapted from Dies Irae, a traditional chant of the dead, which Friedhofer turned into an oppressive march & a furious action cue - one of the genre's best - for the finale." (quoted from FSM) This is
track 15 - <b>"Don't Argue / Desperate Journey"</b>, a phenomenal piece which starts with piano and percussion and keeps building into the previously noted furious action cue.
<b>Soldier of Fortune, 1955</b> is the story of a powerful businessman in Hong Kong - Hank Lee (Clark Gable) who is approached by a women (Susan Hayward) who is searching for her missing photojournalist husband. They do not see eye-to-eye at first so she sets out alone. Lee ultimately rescues her after her dangerous search ends and goes off to be the big hero. The film's exotic setting is filled with scenes of sampan sailing vessels, scenery around Hong Kong, etc - all the Asian flavor you could ever want.
SOF is my personal favorite because I like romantic adventure films but most of all due to its lush score. The main theme (love theme) is my most very fave "Hollywood-ish" movie theme of all time-from way back- because I <i>go</i> way back. It is heard in the main title, piano theme, end title, track 20 and at its hauntingly beautiful best on track 26. <b>Lee and Jane</b>
One of the more rousing cues is <b>Tweedies</b>- a medley of 50's era songs sung by the drinking members of Tweedies night club. (track 29)
Unfortunately, the score was damaged in storage losing several cues but was restored as best as possible. You can hear a little of the damage on the end title track. Overall, though, the restorers did a terrific job in bringing back one of Friedhofer's very best film scores.
Hoping you enjoy listening to this album as much as I do. imho, Golden Age classic film music is truly a treasure.
2 of 2 found this review helpful
Please log in to vote on this review |
|
|
