MovieChat Forums > The Sting (1973) Discussion > P*****s me off to no end. . . .

P*****s me off to no end. . . .

posted 9 years ago by aciolino
26 replies | jump to latest

. . . that Marvin Hamlisch got so much credit for the soundtrack of this film.

Of course, much of the blame goes to the lack of education of the American public who failed to recognize that the composer of the music was Scott Joplin, not Hamslisch. But Hamlisch didn't shrink at having his name emblazoned across the covers of sheet music and even in the opening credits of the film.

For years, I would be playing a gig and some jerk would come up to me and say, "Oh, can you play, "The Sting."

"No, but I can punch you in face," is what I WANTED to say. To this day, many believe Hamlisch responsible for the soundtrack.

Ugh.

AND == He is credited as "music adapter." I have NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS. The arranger was someone else, so I'm wrong about the above. Hamlisch didn't even arrange the music. What did he do??? Still can't figure it out!!!

Never seen the credit: "Music Adapter" == have you???

[–] SnoozeAlarm 9 years ago

Can you please elaborate? I've heard the original piece by Scott Joplin. So what exactly did Hamlisch do? Just plagiarize? Did he give credit to Joplin, or did someone catch him?

It should be against the law to use 'LOL'; unless you really did LOL!

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

I thought I made myself clear.

Next time you see the film look at the opening credits. You will be aghast.

What did Hamlich do? Nothing. He "arranged," some rags for small band/orchestra, which means copying the notes from the piano music on to an orchestral score. Any 1st level music student can do that. He composed NOTHING.

So yes, what did he do? I'm still trying to figure it out. Did he perform the rags as they are heard in the film? Perhaps. So what? Any pianist could have done as well.

[–] kaneforgov 9 years ago

I assume you did not experience this film at its theatrical release. This film was responsible for a huge resurgence of popular appreciation for Scott Joplin's music. Marvin Hamlish was a very famous musician at the time and a recognizable name, which gave him screen credit cache. Joplin and his music were mostly forgotten in the early 70’s. Thanks to this film and Hamlish many people who have never heard of Scott Joplin were able to appreciate his music.
Actually if you’re a Scott Joplin fan you should be thanking Hamlish.

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

Good lord. . .how pompous you are.

I am a pianist. I was playing Joplin long before this film came out. I was 24 when it was released and YES, I saw it during it's release.

Thank Hamlisch? Don't make me barf. It may be true that Joplin became more popular due to THIS FILM, but not for ANYTHING Marvin Hamlisch did. Any competent pianist and arranger could have done the same. Please. And Hamlish clever got a huge credit in the film for doing. . . what exactly???

Hamlisch is/was a fraud, a charlatan who, I think, among other things enjoyed that many people thought he composed that glorious music.

[–] SnoozeAlarm 9 years ago

Please forgive me for saying this, but there is a harshness to your posts which seems unhealthy. Truly, no offense intended.

It should be against the law to use 'LOL'; unless you really did LOL!

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

That's okay. Sharp as a tack, you are! Yes, I am angry about fraud and deception in particular, when it involves my field.

I know it is not fashionable to express anger in our feminized society, (Anger Management! Anger Management!) as if anger is not a "normal" emotion.

There are things a man does well to get angry about, to remain a MAN.

But more curiously, if we can, for a moment, that our microscopes and point them at YOU.. . what motivates YOU to pursue this question as you have, and diagnose me in the manner that you have? (By the way, if you're not a doctor you shouldn't be diagnosing anyone -- it says more about YOU than it does me). . .

So yes, anger is an appropriate word for how I feel about this subject. Spot on.

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

AH HA!!!!

Just found this:

"Rifkin later said of the film soundtrack that Hamlisch lifted his piano adaptations directly from Rifkin's style and his band adaptations from Schuller's style.[94] Schuller said Hamlisch, "...got the Oscar for music he didn't write (since it is by Joplin) and arrangements he didn't write, and 'editions' he didn't make. A lot of people were upset by that, but that's show biz!"[94]" From the Wikipedia entry on Scott Joplin.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! AND AGAIN, I THANK YOU!!!

[–] kaneforgov 9 years ago

Wait, you're calling me pompous?

Look up the word and re-read your posts. Your picture should be under the definition.

Please, tell us again about being a famous, successful musician...Lol.

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

Sand in panties again? My, my, I seemed to have touched a nerve. Otherwise you're rather a bore. ZZZzzzzzzz............

[–] kaneforgov 9 years ago

It's a pretty good bet that the only 'nerve' you've ever touched is your own, with your right hand.

Now, please tell us again what a famous musician you are and how Marvin Hamlish stole your girlfriend.

[–] coldnaps 9 years ago

Hamlisch wasn't famous at all until this film. The Sting made him famous. True, his appearances on probably every talk show in existence numerous times did help make more people knowledgeable about who Scott Joplin was.

[–] PussyCrusher_Principal 9 years ago

OT, but - anybody ever see the clip (it's in the Oscar special And The Oscar Hoes To,"... On TCM) where Cher, as a presenter, calls him "Marvin Hamm--l-Shmish...Hamm-Shmish) - I forget who was presenting with her, but he laughed...not sure if that was for Sting, The Way We Were or what...

[–] Mickey77 9 years ago

Only really stupid people would think Marvin composed the music.

Oh wait - it America.

Yes - LOTS of people think he wrote the music.

"Thank God For Darwin"

[–] RobbieCalifornia 9 years ago

I was always fully aware that some of the music was from Scott Joplin. It was in every review of the film, every article. Joplin was given full credit for his music. I dont think for a minute that Hamlisch intended to claim Joplin's compositions as his own.

The film brought Scott Joplin's name and work to the attention of the public, with great success.

[–] RSpanish 9 years ago

OP Translation: I'm a bitter, frustrated, average piano player living off the works of others because I have no original talent.

Gil Fulbright For President
http://honestgil.com/

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

Yes, God forbid someone should express anger. Oh, no, mommy!

I support gay right, pal, so relax.

[–] RSpanish 9 years ago

Expressing anger is fine, ranting on about a 40 year old movie in which someone is credited for adapting music is not. Seek help.

And I don't care who you support, son.

Gil Fulbright For President
http://honestgil.com/

[–] fiveforme 9 years ago

This is exactly the reason I wish IMDb had a 'like' or 'thumbs up' button. Just watched this movie this morning for probably the 40th time. My SO asked me if I knew who the composer was, and I said, "Yes, Scott Joplin." He said, "No, it's Marvin Hamlisch." The opening credits were rolling, and up comes Music Adapter with Hamlisch's name. He said, "Wow, you're never usually wrong about music questions!" I tried to be patient when I told him that Music Adapter is nothing remotely close to a composer. I couldn't explain what an adapter is either, I've never been able to. The only thing I can think of is that Hamlisch didn't want to have his name associated with 'arr' on scores. so he 'adapted' Joplin's music instead.
I saw the movie at the theater. I'll never forget how long the lineup was. My friend and I were the second to last pair that got in. I was blown away by all the twists and turns and really awesome music. It's always great, but it doesn't matter how many times you watch it, it's never as good as the first time.

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

Great story.

Music adapter is a meaningless credit. He simply took arrangements that had already been made BY OTHERS and used them with his own name on them. In other words, he was a charlatan and a thief.

[–] zensixties 8 years ago

A little late, but coming to aciolino's defense. Yes, MH should have been listed as "credit taker", and nothing more. Furthermore, your point about expressing anger is well taken. Only non-humans have no anger to express; i.e. politically correct anger repressors.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood... (;-p)

[–] rj-27 9 years ago

Yeah, you do come off bitter and nasty.

Anyway, I was around 20 at the time this movie came out and me and my fellow amateur pianists went to the music store and asked for Scott Joplin music - not Marvin Hamlisch music.

All thanks to this movie. I do not care who got credit for the arrangements, I know who wrote the music.

Democracy is the pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. H.L. Mencken

[–] whiskeyTango-06 9 years ago

script writer / adapted screenplay... or music arranger / adaptation -- what's the difference?

name your poison.

[–] bwrynnsuffolk 8 years ago

Not to get into the argument but to add one fact. Hamlisch wrote music for "The Way We Were" which preceded the release of "The Sting" by several months. Maybe Hamlisch's name was plastered all over "The Sting" to take advantage of the popularity of the earlier movie's music.

[–] MNRebecca (769) 6 years ago

script writer / adapted screenplay... or music arranger / adaptation -- what's the difference?

I wonder if Hamlisch played a major role in helping make 19th century music effective in a Depression-era setting like George Roy Hill mentioned (in the liner notes?). Hamlisch was prominent before THE STING thanks to THE WAY WE WERE and his work on Woody Allen films (LOVED the TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN melodies). But I wonder what social media discussion boards would have made of his Oscar nomination had they existed at that time?

[–] chazzmarra 8 years ago

Lotsa angry fellerz here. Queer , here , and near. Ugh. Aids strokes on keys. SO ? Undoubtably the most sickening abbreviation i have ever encountered. How bout cock buddy ? Or fellow cum gobbler ? Fecal encrusted cohort ? Anal bitch buddy ? Emasculated pillow biting , flailing wrists , lisping , *beep* ?