"Life Is What You make It" from the movie Kotch

Opening credits from this wonderful movie starring Walter Matthau and directed by his friend Jack Lemmon. I haven't been able to see this on youtube and thought others would appreciate being able to listen to this version of the song/music (Marvin Hamlisch and Johnny Mercer) which was sung by Johnny Mathis.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Kotch
• movie+Life
• Is
• What
• You
• make
• It+Jack
• Lemmon+Walter
• Matthau+Marvin
• Hamlisch+Johnny
• Mercer

[kluivert116]

@zxdffy77 Yes its a lovely and touching song. I'm so glad its influenced your life in a good way.

[karjayk8]

These have to be the most touching opening credits ever! The song is absolutely beautiful and one of my favorites. Thanks so much for posting this and the movie!

[kluivert116]

@karjayk8 So glad to be able to share the video with people that really appreciate it!.

[Glinkaism1]

I loved the way they lit the store interiors in the title sequence! They used studio tungsten lighting in two cases in what were practical/real locations. Note when Kotch feeds the boy in the store. The blue cast actual store florescents made it look "real." And in the photo scene, the golden cast background actual lights in the store also made it look "real." :) Cheers!

[kluivert116]

@Glinkaism1 You notice so many things I never would have! I had no idea how powerful lighting can be on a movie. When you make movies do you use alot of "technical" resources?

[Glinkaism1]

00000h! I have been looking for this song for many years! This was a single when the movie came out. Utterly fantastic, sentimental, tear-jerking AWESOME SONG! Thanks so very, very much for posting this! It is now on my Favorites. Johnny Mercer and composer Marvin Hamlisch have soul!

Just read Walter Mattau biography where the writer panned the song as syrupy. Well bring on the syrup then!!! Jack Lemmon directed the movie.

Life IS What You Make It! Cheers!

[kluivert116]

@Glinkaism1 Thanks for your warm words Glink. I watched this movie many years ago and had been looking for it ever since but never forgetting this song. I'm so glad you have found it now too! Yes the 2 composers were quite awesome and as for Matthau and Lemmon what can I say?! Everyone likes different actors but these 2 certainly always struck a chord with my heart whatever they did. I hope you have a chance to watch this touching movie on my channel here on youtube, cheers Ken

[zxdfty77]

Thanks for sharing this!

I first heard this song back in the late 70s when we sang it in Jazz Choir in high school.

I immediately loved the music, but its positive MESSAGE has always influenced my life.

Love & Light!

[JosephHuntington]

This masterpiece was available at my local library on DVD and I watched it twice!

[TheGingerellas]

Beautiful, thank you so much.

[Glinkaism1]

kluivert, don't give up your day job. :) Cheers! 

[Glinkaism1]

@kluivert116 Movies are a technically-driven medium. Directors and actors get the press. But movies are made in the editing room. Try to get hold of the book "When the Shooting Stops, the Cutting Begins" by film editor Ralph Rosenblum. It's about the reality of making movies. Trade magazines often interview directors about details like lighting and sound. A director has to know all the elements that go into moviemaking. And if you are an independent, you are in for a labor-intensive life.