PennTags Feed for /tag/film_music+transitional_hollywood

The Virginian (1929) Paramount

orchestral fanfares during opening and closing credits. otherwise, diegetic music: characters whistle or sing, "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" for death of Steve (Richard Arlen). trail drives, romantic interludes, final gunfight without music (Darby an Du Bois, American Film Music 1990, p. 9).

Family classics - A Farewell to Arms (1932) Paramount

Farewell to Arms - original love theme during opening credits and at key moments. Italian atmosphere established by opening of Mendlssohn's Fourth Symphony, "La donna é mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto and traditional "Santa Lucia". Borrowings from Wagner: "Ride of the Valkyries" during battle scene, brassier treatment of Wagner while Frederic searches for Catherine, music from Tristan and Isolde while Catherine dies in Frederic's arms. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 13)

Scarface (1932)/ Universal; screen story by Ben Hecht ; continuity and dialogue by Seton I. Miller, John Lee Mahin, W.R. Burnett ; directed by Howard Hawks.

Tony whistles "Slaves' Chorus" from Verdi's Nabucco in opening murder scene.

Little Caesar (1931)/ First National Pictures, Inc. ; Warner Bros. Pictures ; screen adaptation by Francis Edwards Faragoh ; directed by Mervyn LeRoy.

strings during opening credits. dance music. Italian-sounding music. "only conventional musical effects in obvious places." (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 12).

Frankenstein (1931)/ Carl Laemmle presents ; produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. ; Universal Pictures Corp. ; screen play by Garrett Fort, Francis Edwards Faragoh ; directed by James Whale.

Original theme during opening credits. Grand Appasionata by Giuseppe Becce - standard silent film rep - during end credits. (Darby and DuBois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 12).

Public enemy (1931)/ Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. & the Vitaphone Corp. ; story by Kubec Glasmon and John Bright ; adaptation by Harvey Thew ; directed by William A. Wellman.

"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" during opening credits and later at nightclub and again on gramophone in Powers' home - mood of song contrasts with events'. "There are Smiles" and "Toot, Toot, Tootsie" at nightclub. Putty Nose dies while singing. "Romantic musical kitsch" during romantic scene. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 12-3).

Rain (1932)/ Lewis Milestone's production and direction.

Original rain theme at beginning. Saide Thompson identified with jazz mostly from her radio. No music for (religious) Davisons. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 14)

Morocco (1930)/ Paramount Publix Corporation ; Paramount Pictures Corp. ; written by Jules Furthman ; directed by Josef von Sternberg.

"Oriental" theme by drummer in street and native singer. Foreign Legion represented by marches as soldiers leave and return. waltz at high society party. "What Am I Bid for My Apples" symboizes heroine's sordid past. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 9-10).

The Big Trail (1930) Fox

more music than most contemporary films. usually occurs in scenes with little or no dialogue. officially by Arthur Kay but others involved. soaring strings for snow falling on pioneers and hero. idyllic air by brass when settlers have survived first winter and heroine prays for Coleman's return. love theme by harp and violin. martial music during fight into "Abide with Me" during mourning. also honky-tonk, "Indian," hoedown music. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 11).

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Universal

march for opening credits, military and sober (Broekman). diegetic music sung or whistled by characters. German volunteers sing patriotic songs. (Darby and Du Bois, American Film Music, 1990, p. 10).