MovieChat Forums > His Majesty O'Keefe (1954) Discussion > Dimitri Tiomkin's lost theme music

Dimitri Tiomkin's lost theme music

posted 18 years ago by hobnob53
4 replies | jump to latest

Despite the credit on the VHS of this film, and in the IMDb credits, the music for this film was written not by British composer Robert Farnon, but by the incomparable Dimitri Tiomkin. The entire score, from the opening scene right through the closing credit, is Tiomkin's.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the UK version does indeed have completely different opening credit music (and, for that matter, completely different opening credits, right down to the typeface) from the US release, and that includes the score over the opening credits, by Farnon. But immediately after the credits Tiomkin's music kicks in and nothing else is Farnon's. You can tell this not only from the different musical styles but from the fact that Farnon's theme is never again heard throughout the film. The US version, which used to turn up on cable, has Tiomkin's complete score and credits him for the music. Farnon's opening isn't bad, but Tiomkin was a better composer.

Now that the film is being released on DVD Oct. 23, 2007, I wonder if WHV will do the right thing and restore Tiomkin's complete opening score, over the original US credits, in contrast to their VHS release.

[–] dchriscoe 17 years ago

The original score by Dimitri Tiomkin has been restored on the DVD. The opening credits are presented in a different way than the VHS with Tiomkin getting the credit. Paul Francis Webster is also credited with the song the "The Emerald Isle".

I should note that while the VHS version did give Tiomkin the musical credit, the notes on the DVD gave it to Farnon.

Don Chriscoe
Flagstaff, Arizona

[–] hobnob53 17 years ago

That's great news -- I've ordered HMO'K but haven't received it yet, and assumed they'd use the British print for the DVD they used for VHS.

Of course, as you point out, the British version not only credited the music to Farnon but also ignored the credits for the song "Emerald Isle" altogether. (There was also the expected spelling difference: "colour".) I also noticed, after re-watching the VHS opening, that the background shots are mostly different in the UK version's credits sequence, vs. the American one. I even think they have different copyright dates (UK 1953, US 1954), though on my off-the-air tape of the American version it's a little hard to distinguish the Roman numerals!

The VHS box credited Tiomkin (on front and back), but not the print of the film in the box. I guess no one at WHV noticed that. But interesting that, in a reversal, the DVD notes credit Farnon. Doesn't anybody check these things, really?

There was a great book-music-video store on the east side of the main street into Flag, coming from the south. Can't remember the name. Hope it's still there. I occasionally drove up from Phoenix just to browse the place, when I lived there in the late 90s.

Thanks again for the info, and glad to see someone else on this film's site at last!

[–] dchriscoe 17 years ago

Yes, the bookstore is Bookman's. It is alive and well. They sell LP soundtracks too.

Don Chriscoe
Flagstaff, Arizona

[–] hobnob53 17 years ago

Yes, Bookman's. Hard name to remember, for a book store. They still sell LPs, too -- good for them. Now I'm sorry I'm back in suburban NYC!

Thank you for all your great information, Mr. Chriscoe. And I'm glad someone else looked in on this neglected film site for HIS MAJESTY O'KEEFE.