theme song
does anybody know the name of the theme song?
shareAssuming you mean the music where Gillian hums to Pyewacket, according to the playlist on the soundtrack LP, the track is called "The Spell"; The music played through the opening credits is listed simply as "Main Title". The composer/conductor is George Dunning, who also created the music for "From Here To Eternity", along with "The Eddie Duchin Story", & the hauntingly beautiful score from "Picnic", both of which starred Kim Novak.
The soundtrack was released by Colpix (Columbia's in-house label) in 1958 in conjunction with the movie, as COLPIX #CP 502. It was released again in 1976 on the Citadel label - CITADEL #CT006. (LP only, as near as I've ever been able to discover.) The liner notes about Dunning & the Brothers Candoli, who performed the jazz numbers at the "Zodiac" nightclub, are excellent, and fascinating in their detail. For instance, the piano player on the jazz sessions is none other than John Williams, very early in his career! Both versions of the LP turn up on e-bay from time to time...
If I recall Mr. Dunning also composed the theme to "The Big Valley," which IMO is one of the greatest western themes ever written.
Ted in Gilbert, AZ
The cd soundtrack is available now.
shareThe music and lyrics of Picnic and Bell Book and Candle were written by George Dunning AND Steve Allen.
shareDid you notice the band played part of the theme from FROM HERE TO ETERNITY when Gillian and Shep went out dancing? I was wondering how that theme was selected, and now it makes sense, knowing that it was also composed by George Dunning.
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