MOVIE & TV
SOUNDTRACKS
Music from film and TV has been popular for almost as long as the record album has been in existence. Before the advent of home video, owning a recording of the motion picture score allowed the moviegoer to take a piece of their favorite film home to enjoy long after leaving the theater. In some cases, a film became a success simply because it had a hit song attached. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from my collection.


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The Addams Family
Creepy and kooky, this is one of the best known theme songs from ANY television show ever. It was composed by Vic Mizzy, who also wrote the memorable theme for Green Acres. I don't think I can hear a harpsichord without picturing Lurch tickling the ivories.

Barbarella
Jane Fonda starred in this campy sexy Sci-fi spoof, and she defends it to this day. Anytime an interviewer mentions it, she counters that she was proud of it when it was initially released and is still proud of it today. The film's French producer/director, Roger Vadim, credits himself for inventing the French New Wave film of the 60s. Modest fellow, eh?

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Bedazzled
This is one of the funniest of the "groovy" films made in the 60s. Dudley Moore (who also performs on the score) plays a heartbroken man who attempts suicide, but is stopped by the Devil (Peter Cook) who offers him several chances to win his love in exchange for his soul. One of the film's highlights is Raquel Welch in one of her best cast roles ever. She portrays the sin of "Lust".

The Green Hornet
This is probably THE rarest of all television soundtrack LPs. In the wake of the popularity of ABC TV's Batman in the 60s, the producers decided to tackle another pulp character from the 40s, but this time without the tongue-in-cheek humor that had made Batman such a success. The Green Hornet flopped and was canceled after one season. Today any toys or merchandise related to this program are highly sought after by collectors.

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The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
One of the great figures of film music was the composer Bernard Herrmann. His best known music may be the shower murder in Hitchcock's Psycho, but his entire output for Hollywood is memorable. Often his scores are haunting and atmospheric. His fantasy film work is particularly noteworthy. Of the five films he scored for special effects wizard Ray Harryhausen, only this one warranted an LP release. It is therefore one of the most highly sought after of all soundtrack LPs.

Hercules
This is another tough one to find. Among fans of Sword and Sandal epics, it's the holy grail of soundtracks. Since it was issued as a children's record, few copies which have survived are in playable condition.

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