Music at the Movies

November 8 is Election Day, and while we're not voting for a president this year, presidents are the subject of a number of films and shows.We take a musical journey through the highs and the lows, the real and fictitious, and discover musical treatments of many U.S. presidents.Featuring music of W.G. "Snuffy" Walden, John Williams, Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Jerry Goldsmith, and David Arnold.Selections* “Main Title (The West Wing)” and “Jefferson Lives” from The West Wing — W.G. “Snuffy” Walden* “Declaration of Independence” and “The White House” from John Adams — Robert Lane and Joseph Vitarelli* “Prologue - JFK” and “Theme from JFK - Reprise” from JFK — John Wiliams* “The American Process” from Lincoln — John Williams* “Nixon Defeated” from Frost/Nixon — Hans Zimmer* “Main Titles,” “To the White House,” and “You’re On” from Dave — James Newton Howard* “The Parachutes” from Air Force One — Jerry Goldsmith* “The President’s Speech” from Independence Day — David Arnold* “The 1960s — The Turbulent Years” from Nixon — John Williams* “Main Titles” from The American President — Marc ShaimanRelated links and a deeper dive are available in our Notes section:* Music at the Movies #11: Hail to the ChiefConnect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

The World Series has started, and as America enjoys its pastime on television screens across the nation, we turn our attention to audio — specifically, music for baseball as featured on screens.This episode is going to be a little different, since we mixed both songs and original scores. But it’s going to be fun just the same.So grab some peanuts and Crackerjacks; I don’t know if you’ll ever get back. Selections* “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” (1908) from Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns (1994)* “Gathering Crowds” by John Scott for ABC’s This Week in Baseball (1977)* “Play Ball” by Jonathan Fields from The Bad News Bears (1976)* “Main Title” from For Love of the Game (1999) by Basil Poledoris* “Field of Dreams” by James Horner from Field of Dreams (1989)* “The Wave” by Randy Edelman from Angels in the Outfield (1994)* “Centerfield” by John Fogarty as heard in Bull Durham (1988)* “Jackie Robinson” from 42 (2013) by Mark Isham* “The Streak” by Mychael Danna from Moneyball (2011)* “Talkin’ Baseball (Willie, Mickey and the Duke)” by Terry Cashman (1981)* “Talkin’ Softball” from The Simpsons by Jeff Martin (1992)* “Main Title” from The Natural (1984) by Randy Newman Related links and a deeper dive are available in our Notes section:* Music at the Movies #10: Take Me Out to the Ballgame Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

There’s a long history of witches in popular culture. As we prepare for Halloween, we focus on the portrayal of witches in films in this episode of Music at the Movies.From witch trials to their pallid complexion, pointy hats and the grouping of witches in threes, we feel their presence in otherworldly ways — that world being a musical one.Selections* “Something Wicked This Way Comes” from The Tragedy of MacBeth (2021) by Carter Burwell* “Elizabeth Accused” from The Crucible (1996) by George Fenton* “Miss Gulch” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) by Herbert Stothart** “Graveyard Attack” and “Witches Capture Dani” from Hocus Pocus (1993) by John Debney* “Let’s Steal Their Souls” and “Lighting the Black Flame” from Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) by John Debney* “The Dance of the Witches” from The Witches of Eastwick (1987) by John Williams*** “Witches Are Real” and “A Narrow Escape” from The Witches (2020) by Alan Silvestri* “The Red Woman” from Game of Thrones (2016) by Rawin Djawadi* “The Christening” from Maleficent (2014) by James Newton Howard * “Bellatrix” from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2011) by Alexander Desplat * Indicates an Academy Award** Indicates an Academy Award nominationRelated links and a deeper dive available in our Notes section:* Music at the Movies #9: Witching Hour Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

Oscar Wilde’s life was controversial and consequential. His plays, poems, and only novel are still quoted and performed today, and inspired many films.His tragic life was the subject of a number of films as well, and on the occasion of his birthday (October 16), we explored some of the music that takes us from his highest highs to his lowest lows from films about him and based on his work.Selections* “Cafe Royal Waltz” from The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960) by Ron Goodwin* “The Importance of Being Earnest - Front Titles” and “The Vital Importance of Being Earnest” from The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) by Charlie Mole* “Wilde,” “Gates Thrown Open,” and “What Is the Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name?” from Wilde (1997) by Debbie Wiseman* “Dorian’s Theme” and “Extravaganza (Sadness Waltz)” from Dorian Gray (2009)* Gabriel Yared’s soundtrack for The Happy Prince (2018)More available in our Notes section:* Music at the Movies #8: Wilde Ride Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

Did you ever wonder where film score composers get their inspiration? Sometimes it's buried deep in their psyche and other times it's blatantly obvious.In this episode, we'll be hitting a few of the blatantly obvious instances where classical music provided the base for a score or a cue in a score. John Williams, Wendy Carlos and Hans Zimmer are among our suspects.Which films? And which composers inspired them? Pull up a chair and plug in your ear buds.Selections* “Main Title” from The Shining (1980)* “The Dance of the Witches” from The Witches of Eastwick (1987)* “The Battle” from Gladiator (2000)* “The Parade of the Ewoks” from Return of the Jedi (1983)More available in our Notes section:* Music at the Movies #7: Where Have I Heard That Before? Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

We all know Danny Elfman's lush and dramatic scores, beginning with Batman. But his work from 1990 and earlier often gets forgotten.On this episode of Music at the Movies, we take a look at some of the lesser-known Danny Elfman scores with “Elfman on a Shelf.”Selections:* “Breakfast Machine” from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)* “The Brawl” and “Action Medley” from Back to School (1986)* “The Incantation” from Beetlejuice (1988)* “Walsh Gets the Duke” and “Main Title” from Midnight Run (1988)* Theme from The Simpsons (1989)* Theme from Tales from the Crypt (1989)* “Attack of the Batwing” and “Finale” from Batman (1989)* “Main Titles” and “Finale & End Credits” from Darkman (1989)* “Showdown/Reunited” from Dick Tracy (1990)* “The Cookie Factory,” “Ice Dance,” and “Grand Finale” from Edward Scissorhands (1990)For more great Danny Elfman music from this era, you’ll want to get your hands on Music for a Darkened Theater Volume One.Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

Hollywood loves a disaster — well, not of the box office sort, at least.Manmade and natural disasters took hold of the big screen in the 1970s and held on for the next two decades. Alfred Newman, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, and more feature in this episode.Selections:* “Airport (Main Title)” by Alfred Newman from Airport (1970)* “Main Title” from Earthquake by John Williams (1974)* “Main Title” from The Towering Inferno by John Williams (1974)* “Main Title” from The Poseidon Adventure by John Williams (1972)* “Bud on the Ledge” and “Finale” from The Abyss by Alan Silvestri (1989)* “The Bees Arrive” and “End Title” from The Swarm by Jerry Goldsmith (1977)* “The Rescue” from Dante’s Peak by John Frizzell (1997) * “March of the Lava” from Volcano by Alan Silvestri (1997)Check out these titles and more on The Towering Inferno and Other Disaster Classics on Amazon.More show notes:Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

In this episode of Music at the Movies, we trace the evolution of Batman on the screen with “Batman Through the Years.”Beginning with a serial in 1943 through the latest iteration starring Robert Pattison, Batman has changed and so has the music scoring each appearance. From Lee Zahlner to Neal Hefti and Nelson Riddle, Danny Elfman to Hans Zimmer, Shirley Walker to Michael Giacchino, we have quite the bat-journey ahead of us.Selections:* “The Electrical Brain” by Lee Zahler from the serial Batman (1943)* “Batman Theme” by Neal Hefti from the TV series Batman (1966)* “Batmobile to the Airport” by Nelson Riddle from the movie Batman (1966)* “The Batman Theme” by Danny Elfman from Batman (1989)* “Main Title” by Danny Elfman and “Alternate Main Title” by Shirley Walker from Batman: The Animated Series (1992)* “Main Title” by Shirley Walker from Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)* “A Batman Overture” by Eliot Goldenthal from Batman & Robin (1997)* “Molossus” by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard from Batman Begins (2005)* “Like a Dog Chasing Cars” by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard from The Dark Knight (2008)* “Rise” by Hans Zimmer from The Dark Knight Rises (2012)* “Arkham Origins Suite” from the video game Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)* “Bats Pummels for Clues” by Krisopher Carter, “All It Takes Is One Bad Day” by Lolita Ritmanis, and “Making a Killing” by Mark McCuistion from The Killing Joke (2016)* “The Batman” by Michael Giacchino from The Batman (2022)Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

In this episode of Music at the Movies, we celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II with a look at royal music, from her coronation to dramatizations like The Queen and The Crown.Selections include:* “Zadok the Priest” by George Friderich Handel from Music from the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II* “He Will Be Restrained” from The Madness of King George by George Fenton* “The Queen,” “Night in Balmoral,” “Hills of Scotland,” “Mourning” from The Queen by Alexandre Desplat* “Your Majesty” and “Future King” from The Crown Season 2 by Rupert Gregson-Williams and Lorne Balfe * “Fanfare and National Anthem” from Music from the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIConnect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter #MusicAtTheMoviesSuggestions, feedback, ideas? Leave us a comment on Substack: https://musicatthemovies.substack.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

Class is in session! Let's head back to campus to listen to some of the great music scores from movies in academic settings. You'll hear music of Danny Elfman, Elmer Bernstein, Michael Kamen, John Williams, Maurice Jarre, and more.Get show notes and more on Substack. https://musicatthemovies.substack.comConnect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMovies This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com

Given the continuing war in Ukraine being waged by Russia, it seemed like an appropriate time to focus on composers and their art that has emanated from that region.In this episode, we'll be traveling from Eastern Europe to Russia and all the way to Hollywood as we listen to some of the film music that represents the region and that is a product of composers who were born there.Smetana, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Billy May, Franz Waxman, Maurice Jarre, Dimitri Tiomkin, and Miklos Rózsa round out the composers we’ll hear.Connect with us:@MusicAtMovies on Twitter#MusicAtTheMovies This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musicatthemovies.substack.com