Does anyone know the piece of jazz that Kim Novak and Wm Holden dance to at the picnic? I know it is well-known and I have heard itin many films but need the title. Thanks
shareThere were two: It's A Blue World and the more successful Moonglow (a 30's standard) and theme from Picnic.
share"Moonglow and Theme from Picnic" remains one of the greatest movie compositions of all times. How the two songs, the old standard "Moonglow" and Steve Allen's "Picnic Theme," came to be mixed is of interest because the two songs do not match musically at all. George Duning had the awesome task of blending the two in a jazz-like fusion and was he successful!
Kenneth Rorie
Agreed. Director Joshua Logan says in his autobiography that he HAD to have "Moonglow" for the dance sequence, but knew the song wasn't long enough to fill the time, and that's where the idea of a medley was born. It works like a dream.
shareCan anyone tell me where I can buy a CD with that blend (Moonglow/Picnic Theme)
That music made any objection to the movie or the acting irrelevant. It's haunting
Ray from Jersey
I'm always happy when I close a book, no matter what page I'm on.
Yikes. The MCA/Decca CD is out of print. Type "Picnic" after choosing the Popular Music category at Amazon, and you'll see what I mean. Try eBay.
share"Moonglow/Theme from Picnic"--a #1 hit in 1956, and still one of the most haunting, romantic songs ever recorded--is also available on "Billboard Pop Memories: 1955-1959" from Rhino Records; not sure if it's still in print, but you might be able to find it.
I also have it on a Reader's Digest compilation of songs from the '40s and '50s called "You Must Remember This"....
Give this link a try; it lists various CDs (and out of print LPs) that feature the song:
http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=2282
Thanks for that
I have just watched that scene and was taken aback by the music. I shall try and get hold of it too
Isn't the interweb marvellous
It has been very interesting to read the many comments from other persons who enjoyed this movie as I did. I was 14 when Picnic came out and went with a little gal from church on a weekend afternoon to see in Culver City, CA - sat in the balcony. Does anyone know whether the actual orchestral music that the studio used could be looked at or even photocopied? I think it would be fun and rewarding to make a piano transcription from that original source. Seems the studio should keep such music in their archival library, if they have one.
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FYI: iTunes has a version by the Cincinnati Pops which is close to what we hear in the movie.
It's listed as "Picnic: Moonglow and Theme…".
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Hey, thanks very much for posting this thread, and thanks to all for the very informative replies. "Picnic" has always been one of my favorite movies, but this thread helped me to realize that the dance scene, with the incredible musical medley, is one of the reasons why.
sharea friend of mine bought the LP. he made a cd for me. the medley is great to listen to with earphones before crashing for the night.
shareRight now, I'm listening a great version of "Moonglow" by Artie Shaw. It'll make you want to dance.
shareThe soundtrack to this movie is wonderful and truly haunting. Another great recording of "Moonglow" can be found on the movie soundtrack for "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and it is the 1936 original recording of the Benny Goodman Quartet.
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