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Hey, guys – I have a treat for you! Alcoa Premiere Theatre aka Fred Astaire's Premiere (1961-1963) was the first and only show where John Williams wrote ALL of the music for the entire run – both the first and second season. However, like so many anthology shows of the time, it was never released in any format. Same goes for the music (except the theme). So with the help of a TV collector, I got hold of 27 episodes (which is only half of what he did, but it's still a start). With some sparetime this week, I ripped some opening titles from the series to at least give you an idea of what this was about, and why it REALLY needs a proper release. Williams really got to flex his early musical muscles with all the different stories the show provided. The audio and video quality of the episodes was mostly abysmal – which is reflected in the cues below. But it's what we have at the present time. While the opening titles only last some 30 seconds, they present the basic thematic ideas of the music in a given episode. As I hate clips with dialogue and sound effects, I only included these dialogue and sound-free opening titles – as well as a few prologues that only had vague sound, and where the music is allowed to shine on its own. There could be more 'music-only' cues later on in the episodes, but it was too time-consuming to go through everything. I'll do that later, as well as continue my quest for the missing episodes. Enjoy! First off, here is the theme for the series – this is the extended re-arrangement that was done for the Stanley Wilson album THEMES TO REMEMBER: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/alcoatheme.mp3 SEASON 1 Episode 1: "People Need People" (October 10, 1961) Dr. Harry Wilmer has just 10 days to prove his radical method of treating violent war veterans will work. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/peopleneedpeople.mp3 Full episode on Youtube Episode 2: "The Fugitive Eye" (October 17, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 3: "The Fortress" (October 24, 1961) Shot down during the Korean War, Lt. Brown is held captive in a basement where the light is never turned off. They won't treat his mangled leg unless he gives his captors a confession. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thefortress.mp3 Episode 4: "Moment of Decision" (November 7, 1961) A landowner in the 20s has odd ways of showing his dislike for his new neighbor, an escape artist. Prologue: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/momentofdecision-prologue.mp3 In this montage sequence, we're shown the escape artist's (Fred Astaire) many performances around the world. A superb, busy piece by Williams. There are a few sporadic applauses, but otherwise the music shines alone. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/momentofdecision.mp3 Episode 5: "Family Outing" (November 14, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 6: "The Witch Next Door" (November 28, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 7: "The Breaking Point" (December 5, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 8: "Delbert, Texas" (December 12, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 9: "The End of a World" (December 19, 1961) Not been able to find episode. Episode 10: "The Cake Baker" (January 2, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 11: "Pattern of Guilt" (January 9, 1962) A reporter covers a series of murders all against perpetrated spinsters. Prologue: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/patternofguilt-prologue.mp3 The prologue describes a man sneaking into the apartment of a sleeping woman. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/patternofguilt.mp3 Episode 12: "The Hour of the Bath" (January 16, 1962) American agricultural expert Henry Detweiler is a prisoner of Vietnam under sentence of death. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thehourofthebath.mp3 Episode 13: "The Jail" (February 6, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 14: "Mr. Easy" (February 13, 1962) Andrew Whitbeck is bored of his successful business and decides to chuck it all and "enjoy himself". Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/mreasy.mp3 Episode 15: "The Man with the Shine on His Shoes" (February 20, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 16: "The Doctor" (February 27, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 17: "Of This Time, Of This Place" (March 6, 1962) A college teacher's new job is made difficult by a brilliant, but uncompromising, student. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/ofthistimeofthisplace.mp3 Episode 18: "Second Chance" (March 13, 1962) One-time bronc-rider Hoby Dunlap has served his sentence for defecting during the Korean War. But when he tries to return to the rodeo circuit, he finds that his reputation has preceded him. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/secondchance.mp3 If the theme sounds familiar, it's because this episode was used as a pilot for the spin-off series Wide Country (1962-1963), where Williams' theme was arranged as the series' theme. Whether Williams did this new arrangement himself, I don’t know, but it was released on an LP compilation of TV themes. You can hear the Wide Country version here. Episode 19: "The Tiger" (March 20, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 20: "Seven Against the Sea" (April 3, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 21: "The Very Custom Special" (April 10, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 22: "All My Clients Are Innocent" (April 17, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 23: "The Rules of the Game" (May 1, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 24: "Once a Bachelor" (May 8, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 25: "Cry Out In Silence" (May 15, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 26: "A Place to Hide" (May 22, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 27: "The Boy Who Wasn't Wanted" (June 5, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 28: "It Takes a Thief" (June 19, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 29: "The Time of the Tonsils" (June 25, 1962) Not been able to find episode. SEASON 2 Episode 1: "Flashing Spikes" (October 4, 1962) Ex-baseball player Slim Conway is accused of bribing Bill Riley, whose error cost his team a World Series game. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/flashingspikes.m4a Full episode on Youtube (in multiple parts) For many years, this was confused as an obscure feature film in Williams' filmography. A few years ago, someone released complete audio rips of this score on a bootleg. Episode 2: "Guest in the House" (October 11, 1962) Fascinating and original story of a war hero turned grifter who returns to an air force buddy's life and helps his family through a crisis. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/guestinthehouse.mp3 Episode 3: "The Long Walk Home" (October 18, 1962) If high school football coach Paul Watson doesn't lose a championship game, a blackmailer threatens to circulate a certain photograph. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thelongwalkhome.mp3 Episode 4: "The Voice of Charlie Pont" (October 25, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 5: "Mr. Lucifer" (November 1, 1962) The Devil Himself is a hard-bitten businessman with a group of somewhat bumbling yes-men on staff and a curvy assistant in the person of Iris Haines. Together they use their best temptations in an attempt to thwart the honesty and decency of a young suburban couple. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/mrlucifer.mp3 Full episode on Youtube (in multiple parts) Episode 6: "The Masked Marine" (November 8, 1962) A marine sergeant is irritated by a private and decides to teach him a lesson. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/maskedmarine.mp3 Episode 7: "Ordeal in Darkness" (November 15, 1962) Always independent, John Miller forges ahead despite temporary blindness. His wife, however, believes he should depend more on their teenaged son . Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/ordealindarkness.mp3 Episode 8: "Whatever Happened to Miss Illinois?" (November 22, 1962) A reporter asks that question about Miss Illinois and other losers of national contests. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/whateverhappenedtomissillinois.mp3 Episode 9: "The Hands of Danofrio" (November 29, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 10: "The Contenders" (December 6, 1962) Three unprincipled actresses vie for the best-performance award at a film festival. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thecontenders.mp3 Episode 11: "The Way from Darkness" (December 13, 1962) Not been able to find episode. Episode 12: "The Potentate" (December 20, 1962) Disquieting is the word for Stefan Tamarov's first visit to New York City. As Minister of Economics and Foreign Trade for a Communist satellite country, Tamarov has no trouble with his official duties; it's the 'little' things that bother him. His daughter Svezda is seeing an American reporter much too often, and his best friend Andreas Vrim, his country's UN delegate, has confided a few thoughts to Stefan that could be interpreted as treason. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thepotentate.mp3 Episode 13: "Blues for a Hanging" (December 27, 1962) Ted Miller, a down-on-his-luck musician, was in a drunken fight last night, and begins to think he could have murdered a man. His loving girlfriend Connie refuses to believe this and together they piece together what really transpired. Prologue: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/bluesforahanging-prologue.mp3 In this prologue, Ted Miller (Fred Astaire) has turbulent dreams involving jazz. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/bluesforahanging.mp3 Episode 14: "Impact of an Execution" (January 3, 1963) A doctor could persuade the governor to stay a killer's execution but he's in no hurry to do so. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/impactofanexecution.mp3 Episode 15: "Lollipop Louie" (January 10, 1963) Happy-go-lucky Lollipop Louie leaves his California fishing boat to head for the big city. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/lollipoplouie.mp3 Episode 16: "The Glass Palace" (January 17, 1963) There's trouble afoot when ice skater Vince Gallard begins to slip: a coming ice show depends on him. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/theglasspalace.mp3 Episode 17: "Five, Six, Pick Up Sticks" (January 24, 1963) After several years in Europe, a temperamental jazz drummer returns to the U.S. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/fivesixpickupstick.mp3 Episode 18: "George Gobel Presents" (January 31, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Although it aired as part of Alcoa Premiere, this was a variety show that was otherwise independent of the series. As such, it had no Williams involvement. Episode 19: "The Hat of Sergeant Martin" (February 7, 1963) Marines Michael Lujack and Clinton Martin fight over women, but fight well together when it comes to Latin American revolutionaries. They're stationed in a turbulent country South of the Border during the Thirties and assigned to hunt down insurgents in the mountains. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thehatofsergeantmartin.mp3 Episode 20: "Blow High, Blow Clear" (February 14, 1963) Doyle, a young seaman just arrived from New Orleans, is in a quandary: His friend Harlan is deeply disturbed over parental problems, and Doyle has stumbled onto something in the French Quarter which could throw Harlan - and his family - into a real spin. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/blowhighblowclear.mp3 Episode 21: "Chain Reaction" (February 21, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Episode 22: "Hornblower" (February 28, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Episode 23: "The Best Years" (March 7, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Episode 24: "Jeeney Ray" (March 14, 1963) When her grandmother dies, timid Jeeney Ray must move in with her hostile brother and sister-in-law. Prologue: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/jeeneyray-prologue.mp3 This prologue shows Jeeney outside in the woods, making bird noises. Hence the brief 'chirping' in the clip. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/jeeneyray.mp3 This is probably my favourite of all the Alcoa scores – so lovely and bittersweet, almost George Delerue-ian in style. Episode 25: "The Dark Labyrinth" (March 21, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Episode 26: "Of Struggle and Flight" (March 28, 1963) Karen Evans seems normal enough to her husband but now, for the second time, the Missing Persons Bureau has been sent searching for her, and this time her clothes have washed up on the beach. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/ofstruggleandflight.mp3 Episode 27: "The Broken Year" (April 4, 1963) Eric and Hilary's romance becomes filled with hatred and bitterness when she blames herself for his crippling accident. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thebrokenyear.mp3 Full episode on Youtube. Episode 28: "This Will Kill You" (April 11, 1963) Not been able to find episode. Episode 29: "Million Dollar Hospital" (April 18, 1963) Young Dr. Grant answers a medical-journal ad offering a "rewarding practice" for $1,000,000 but the run-down emergency hospital he finds hardly seems a lucrative enterprise. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/milliondollarhospital.mp3 Episode 30: "The Town That Died" (April 25, 1963) Adam Stark comes home to a decrepit town, where hostilities still flare over a prolonged strike that closed an important cannery. Prologue: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thetownthatdied-prologue.mp3 In this prologue, Adam Stark (Dana Andrews) arrives at and rummages through the seemingly deserted town. The prologue runs almost without sound and dialogue for an unprecedented 4 minutes. Opening titles: http://celluloidtunes.no/non-website/alcoa/thetownthatdied.mp3

Well the film is in my top 10 of sci-fi films. It's as emotionally moving as it is intellectually engrossing. Also a bit of an audiovisual masterpiece in my book. The in-camera trickery is absolute genius. There's also a sense of genuine wonder in the film, from the first moments we see little Ellie contact her deceased mother through radio waves until the great interstellar journey she undertakes much later in life. Zemeckis couldn't have made a more perfect movie about what it means to be human. The Silvestri score is firing on all pistons, handling the emotion, excitement and awe, in subtle, refreshing ways. The main theme is both understated and heroic. A perfect fit for the character, without ego, but with a spirit and drive that's commendable. To remain human and humble in the face of fantastic discovery. Some interesting uses of synthesizer are found in tracks such as 'The Primer' and 'Small Moves'. These move along nicely, without coming off as cheap or cheesy. There are only two real action cues, 'Ellie's Bogey' and 'Good to Go'. Especially the latter one is riveting and tense, just as good as anything big that Silvestri can come up with in more action packed films. I also love the theme for 'I Believe Her' and it gives the whole emotional climax a meaning of its own. When all is said and done, only Ellie knows of the mystery that has befallen her. The ending isn't about the heroine's victory and that cue is just what her character needed. The final cue is a big mix-up of all the ideas that the score touched on and what a perfect way to end the (much too short) album.

Tired old rogue or charming grandpa?

I hope we get some hyper-critical reports dismissing Williams's work as outdated gasp of neoclassical old Hollywood drivel that is entirely devoid of invention and innovation and thus deserves a quick oblivion for not re-inventing the whole genre by using postmodern techniques more in tune with the times and latest technological developments in the sound design and manipulation. Because that is how good PR is done!

You've got to be kidding me!! Don't follow Bespin's advice and see it on DVD! BUY the Bluray! (and select the original stereo audio please because the 7.1 is considerably altered)

Michael Giacchino - Jupiter Ascending I dunno what it is exactly, but going 3-4 months without listening to this at all made me appreciate it way more than ever before when I listened this week. Tons of good stuff here!

The case is your typical noir plot, same with Season 1. I don't mind that it wasn't in the forefront, it's the characters that make the show.

After having slept on it, I've come to determine that this season was very good, but not great. I think the plot was too convoluted in addition to having 4 main characters. I liked that a lot of time was spent developing them over the plot, but in the end the balance wasn't quite as perfect as it could have been. That being said, the first act and the third act are fantastic, with a second act that didn't quite live up to the rest. I found Paul's character to be rather pointless, and didn't think Kitsch did a great job acting wise. Colin Farrell and Vince Vaughn are the highlights here, and ultimately steal the show in the finale. Others were talking about there being something to connect all the seasons together, and I feel that thread comes in the form of the afterlife. It's touched upon briefly in Season 1, and I wanted it to be addressed more directly this time around, but the glimpses we got are the type of philosophical character moments that make this show great for me. Anyone else remember this superb scene during the finale? Pizzolatto tells you straight up how Ray is going to die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sN_YtynITo The scenes that take place at that table in the bar are some of my favorites throughout the season. Well lit, acted, shot, with this ominous girl always singing to no one in the background. It creates this really fantastic surreal atmosphere.

The Ghost and the Darkness by Jerry Goldsmith: Damn this is an entertaining and beautifully crafted score. Now I vastly prefer the final version of the score found on disc 1 of Intrada's set to the OST, a significantly different experience. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (the LLL set) by John Williams: Such a beautiful musical journey in 3 acts.

There will always be post-postmodern techniques to use! I am all in favour of scoring the film by hitting the snare drum with a dead squirrel while screaming off the top of your lungs and having 10-15 grunters moaning behind you and a sailor swearing in gaelic to top it off while also playing a kazoo without the mouthpiece! That's innovation!

Yep. It's too bad that people like Tyler Bates and Kloser/Wanker get high profile scoring gigs while far more talented composers are forced to pick up breadcrumbs.

Indeed pretty depressing news. Can't stand people who score the best gigs, not for their talent, but purely for who they suck up to. Arnold deserved to write a sequel to his best score and Kloser's generic garbage is the garage band equivalent of the film music world. So screw you, Emmerich. Go throw yourself another extravagent penthouse party and leave this sequel to someone who knows what they're doing.

Schindler's List Been on a bit of a Schindler's List kick lately (Schindler's Kick?)

Don't Stop Believin' will play over a mundane shot of Tyrion in the Eyrie as Daenerys struggles to park her dragon outside and then cut to black.

Kloser and Wanker obviously think highly of themselves if they think they can stand in for Arnold.

I binge watched this and thought everything was fine. Honestly reading all your guys' insight made it more confusing for me.

Kylo

Video #8 is up!

It's been in post-production forever. The sooner they finish, the longer Snyder can play with the digital filters.

In this case the woodwinds are really meant as decoration that will not be a foreground element. In this passage they are quite hard to hear for sure. It's not just you. As for hearing winds in a tutti, keep listening, you'll hear them. Alain Thank you! I was aiming for exactly that. So thank you! -Alain

Star Wars score study #6.

Hi, fourth one a bit overdue. Been busy writing, which is always a good thing! I took time to record a bunch of Star Wars Score Studies this morning, so they'll be coming steady for a bit. Thanks! Alain