THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES (2000 EDITION / 2CD) (CD) Composed by: Ron Goodwin
At last! Ron Goodwin's 1965 signature score makes it to CD. In fact, a 2-CD set! Lavish Ken Annakin film played as "roadshow" feature in 1965 with numerous stars: Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, James Fox, Terry-Thomas, Red Skelton, many others. Ron Goodwin wrote lengthy score approaching two hours, highlighted by infectious, bouncy main theme. Terrific tune features both as riotous lead vocal (in titles), primary melodic anchor for entire score. But Goodwin offers so much more! Soaring flight music, gorgeous love theme, swaggering "American western" theme, military band marches, anthems for numerous locales, snippets of familiar tunes, comic tidbits, you name it. It's a wild ride!
LP from 1965 offered just 30 minutes of highlights riddled with dialog - interestingly with both stereo & mono versions containing mono tracks! Intrada proudly presents entire score in splendid stereo from actual session elements courtesy 20th Century Fox, Ron Shillingford of the Ron Goodwin estate. Every cue survives in terrific condition, including never-before-heard complete title sequence (edited before premiere of film), finale to Act I, complete intermission cue. All scoring session paperwork, spotting notes survived as well (courtesy the estate), allowing cue title assignment, editing & assembly as Goodwin intended.
Highlights are many but standout is striking switch from intentional mono "tin-pan pit orchestra" intro with musician warm-up & Fox logo (for 1.37:1 ratio prologue) literally "opening up" into thrilling stereo as Todd-AO (2.20:1 ratio) opening titles take over. Effect is exhilarating! Lengthy balloon sequence (on CD 1), final flight sequences (on CD 2) are additional highlights.
Nick Redman oversees production, Julie Kirgo creats informative liner notes, Joe Sikoryak designs terrific graphics using original Ronald Searle paintings to complete fun package. A major addition to library of "roadshow" soundtrack releases. Ron Goodwin conducts. Intrada Special Collection release limited to 2000 copies - Douglas Fake, Intrada Producer | More in 70mm reading:
Ken Annakin. Director in Todd-AO and Ultra Panavision 70.
"So you Wanna be a Director"
The Saga of Todd-AO
Todd-AO & Cinespace
"The Wonderful World of Brothers Grimm" soundtrack released by Film Score Monthly
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