Music from Hitchcock's "Spellbound" (1945)

[handal1973]

your room is very strange ! wooow!!!!

[ArdenGalaxe]

Now here's guy that understands how to relive music from the film noir era. Can't make out what platter this is though. It's not the original 78rpm version, got that one, then, which one is it? Anyway, definitely one of my favorite film noir scores from this outstanding hungarian composer. If you like this one, try 'Lost Weekend' or ' Four Feathers', and those are merely a few of Rozsa's masterpieces.

[mayatatyana1]

Doug, Miklos Rozsa's score is beautiful. Thank you. Maya

[stewballmax3]

Hi

Doug...

One of my all-time favorite films (the ones that are my favorites,O know frame by frame)...you've gone far beyond mere justice on this by reaching into the realm of the surreal and sublime!

Pax,

Max

[CurzonRoad]

@stewballmax3

Wow!

Many thanks, Max.... (you really "get it"!)

Cheers, etc.

Doug --

[englehaus]

Is this the original movie or is it just set up to look like it? It looks very artistic the shadows and lighting.

I like this song.

[CurzonRoad]

@englehaus

Funny... never actually seen the film... this is a home movie...

[nancyfloressantos]

A treasure..........the music I have been longing to hear again.......Just don't know the title......is it Concerto?

[nancyfloressantos]

@nancyfloressantos Now I got it.....the title of the theme of the movie is Spellbound Concerto......by Rosza

[backwoodsgps]

theremin you say??

before moog was theremin, wow, so cool!!!!!

[TheDadsr]

Samuel J Hoffman (the theremin player here), aqcuired a Theremin in payment for a bad debt owed to him, when he moved to Hollywood in 1941 he registered with the locals musicians union as a lark he listed the Theremin as one of his instruments, Miklós Rózsa the composer for this first asked Clara Rockmore to play the theremin part but she declined the offer so he looked for the only theremin players available in the union, (Dr. Hoffman) and this soundtrack later won an Academy Award. Lucky

[CurzonRoad]

Great story!

Thank YOU... very much!

Cheers, etc.

Doug --

[calaf0911]

A very great hungarian composer!

[uncreativeranter]

it looks a sad silhouetted corner of the room. Lovely music where can i get this? is it just called spellbound?

[CurzonRoad]

"Spellbound"

(see 'more info')

Thank you!

[roward48]

The only way - when we have composers with the sensitivity and sensibilities, not to mention true musical

talent, and the willingness to write emotional music which can elevate a film to a completely different level. I might also add composers who can also write meaningful music worthy of attention away from the film. Do we see any composer today who will research period music for a historical film? Rozsa did it for every one he composed. I fear we'll never see his like again.

[CurzonRoad]

Greetings: And may thanks for your comment. Wishing you all the best in 2010. Happy New Year! Cheers, etc. Doug --

[ThePiano1991]

They dont make 'em like this any more!! We need to have a film score like this soon or I am gonna end up insane!!

[CurzonRoad]

LoL! you haven't gone insane yet ?! must be one of the very exempted from this state!

:-D

Cheers, etc.

Doug --

[Bivolari]

Always a favorite of mine. So lush and moody. Gorgeous!!

[MrDetonator30]

we are now playing this tune,here in the philippines,our corps name,Knights of Caloocan drum&bugle corps

[Shabannie]

Beautiful music.

----Ellen

[a997aa]

You are my hero for posting this.

[genia106]

I love the setting of the gramophone silhouettes and the shadows...so perfect for this hauntingly beautiful orchestration.

This is a BRILLIANT post. Thank you.

[anthony9325]

this sounds like the original soundtrack 78rpm record. played bit slowly because of the grammophone's limitations (and age).

a masterpiece.

also used a special instrument ("electronic") to produce the haunting sounds in the middle. it has a name but I can't remember it.

[Salescaster]

'Theremin' is the electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player

[CurzonRoad]

BTW, the gramophone's "age & limitations" have nothing to do with speed, which could always be adjusted in playback. By the time this was recorded, 78 rpm would have been the fixed standard... speed of which was gauged here through the use of a stroboscope. Thanks!

[anthony9325]

You're right, the speed has nothing to do with the gramophone - the sound of which is quite exceptional considering it is purely mechanical.

I have since bought the whole "spellbound" album on CD. In the movie, and on the CD recording, it is played faster. I like both versions.

[mangiafrani]

@CurzonRoad This was a commercial recording by Al Goodman in 1945. It was on a 12" 78 RCA record (2 sides).

[CurzonRoad]

@mangiafrani

Yes, that's the very record playing (see description). THANKS!

[HenrySpock]

So Wonderful!

[LittleLassieK9]

This is one of the most beautiful, haunting themes ever! I believe it was ahead of its time in music history! Thanks for posting!

[CurzonRoad]

Most welcome... glad you like! Cheers, etc.

[MrDirector]

Wow, not only is it an amazing score, the way you filmed it made it look very Hitchcock. The silhouettes of the record players, the lights, the shadows, ... you probably didn't do it on purposes, but it looks great!!! :)

[blackheartbunny]

I'm pretty sure it was on purpose.

AWESOME

[CurzonRoad]

Exactamundo !

Thank you !

Cheers, etc.

Doug --

[AilenRocB]

This music is soooo marvelous...***

Thank You*