Feature Presentations
Film Music Review - Main Titles
Film Music Review Issues
Film Focus Series
Best Film Music of the Year
The Sammy Film Music Awards
Film Composer Tributes
Film Actor Music Tributes
Book and DVD Reviews
End Credits and Links
FILM MUSIC REVIEW
Now in its 11th year as an online magazine!
Editor:
Roger Hall
Contributing Writers:
Jeffrey Dane
Steven A. Kennedy
Steve Vertlieb
Main Titles
Content Description
FMR is a web magazine which over the past decade
has provided over one thousand reviews
of CDs, DVDs, and Books. It began in 1998 as an AOL site, which is
no longer available, although many of the reviews have been archived.
FMR has been a respected resource
for film music reviews
and other news.
The focus of FMR now is on the preservation
of film scores
from the past,
devoted mainly to older soundtrack reisuues,
re-recordings and other preservation efforts.
Some new film scores are also rated
with Capsule Reviews.
Also listed in FMR are the annual Sammy Awards, announced each year
for best film soundtracks, songs and other categories.
These awards are also called the "Sammys"
(named after the late great movie lyricist Sammy Cahn).
They are the longest-running awards
chosen exclusively for film music recordings.
Film Music Century
Music for the cinema was one of the most significant achievements
in popular entertainment during the 20th century.
It remains important in the 21st century as well,
though many of the newer soundtracks lack the depth and quality
of the older film scores and songs.
There are still film fans and critics
who don't understand
the importance of music in a film.
Music can be a major factor in the success of a film.
Just think of Max Steiner's monumental score for GONE WITH THE WIND,
Miklos Rozsa's haunting score in SPELLBOUND,
Dimitri Tiomkin's memorable song and score in HIGH NOON, Bernard Herrmann's frightening music in PSYCHO,
or the thrilling scores of John Williams for the STAR WARS series. All of these scores contributed greatly to the success of those films. Many more could be listed.
Excluding the silent era when little original soundtrack music was recorded,
the music in sound films
can be divided
into these overlapping themes during the 20th century:
I. Hollywood Studio System
(Musicals and Scores):
1929 (BROADWAY MELODY)
to
1959 (BEN HUR)
II. Theme Songs:
1952 (HIGH NOON)
to
1976 (THE OMEN)
III. Big Blockbusters:
1977 (STAR WARS)
to
1999 (TOY STORY 2)
Anniversary Special
Read our reviewers choices for their favorite CD releases
of soundtracks and compilations at the
10th Anniversary Special
Film Music Guide
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Get your copy of the updated 3rd edition of
A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores
To read about this handy and useful reference guide
click on this link to
Film Composers and Soundtracks
Essential Film Scores
For a survey from the 1930s to 1990s, see
100 Essential Film Scores
Send your comments
about this online magazine to:
Film Music Review
Please help suport
Film Music Review
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Film Music Review Issues
Volume 11, 2009
Number 1 (Winter)
Number 2 (Spring)
Number 3 (Summer)
Volume 10, 2008
Index to All Reviews (January - December)
Number 1 (Winter)
Number 2 (Spring)
Number 3 (Summer)
Number 4 (Fall)
Volume 9, 2007
Index to All Reviews (January - December)
Number 1 (January - February)
Number 2 (March - April)
Number 3 (May - June)
Number 4 (July - August)
Number 5 (September - October)
Number 6 (November - December)
Volume 8, 2006
Index to All Reviews (January - December)
Number 1 (January - February)
Number 2 (March - April
Number 3 (May - June)
Number 4 (July - August)
Number 5 (September - October)
Number 6 (November - December)
Volumes 8 - 10, 2006-2008
Index to CD, DVD and Book Reviews
Volumes 1 - 7, 1998 - 2005
No longer online.
Some back issue reviews
may be available by special request.
Read the lists of essential and favorite film scores at these links:
Film Music Review - 10th Anniversary
Film Music Review - 9th Anniversary
Film Music Review - 8th Anniversary
Film Focus Series
Among the most appreciated film scores from the 1940s...
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No. 1: Hugo Friedhofer and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
by Steve Vertlieb and Roger Hall
A monumental historical score from the 1950s...
No. 2: Miklos Rozsa and PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE
by Roger Hall
The first major film score of the 1930s...
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No. 3: Max Steiner and 75th anniversary of KING KONG
by Steve Vertlieb and Roger Hall
One of the great religious epic scores of the 1950s...
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No. 4: Elmer Bernstein and THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
by Jeffrey Dane
Probably the greatest film score for a Hitchcock film...
No. 5: Bernard Herrmann and VERTIGO
by Roger Hall
An underrated score by the composer best known for western scores...
No. 6: Dimitri Tiomkin and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
by Roger Hall
 The Best Film Music of the Year 
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Best Film Music of 2008
   
Best Film Music of 2007
   
Best Film Music of 2006
   
Best Film Music of 2005
 The Sammy Awards
The Sammy Awards (or Sammys) are named after
the late movie lyricist, Sammy Cahn
New!
The 21st Annual Sammy Film Music Awards
have been announced
here
Click on these links for the
20th Annual Sammy Awards
19th Annual Sammy Award
18th Annual Sammy Awards
The Sammy Awards List
Film Composer Tributes
 Elmer Bernstein
"It's a junk culture, and people buy junk...generally speaking, film has not advanced in terms of taste and intelligence, and that makes it tough for music."
-- Elmer Bernstein
Read the Lifetime Achievement Award for Elmer Bernstein at
The Sammy Awards - 2005
A special remembrance by FMR Editor Roger Hall at:
80th Birthday Tribute to Elmer Bernstein
Aaron Copland on Film Music
"It’s quite expensive to add music to a film. It would be a shame if nobody paid attention to it (laughter). The producers would have thrown their money out the window." -- Aaron Copland
Read the interview by FMR Editor Roger Hall
with the distinguished composer Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
at this excellent site:
Runmovies/ Soundtrack
Read the review of Copland's last film score from 1961
SOMETHING WILD
Also available is "A Conversation with Aaron Copland" (AMRC No. 7)
available from the
American Music Recordings Collection
George Duning Centennial
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George Duning 100th Anniversary
Jerry Goldsmith
"Each assignment becomes an agonizing experience. Where shall I begin? What notes shall I play? What combinations of sounds will be at once melodic and original and attention-grabbing that the audience will be hooked?"
-- Jerry Goldsmith
Read the Lifetime Achievement Award for Jerry Goldsmith at
The Sammy Awards - 2008
Bernard Herrmann: The Early Years
"Film music must apply what an actor cannot say. The music must really convey what the word cannot do. If you're dealing with an emotional subject
this is the complete purpose of a film score."
-- Bernard Herrmann (1911-1975)
He is one of the most admired film composers from the past.
Read the article by Roger Hall
about Bernard Herrmann
and his early film scores,
with a new addendum of CDs
at this excellent site:
Runmovies/ Soundtrack
Hear excerpts of Herrmann's film music available on the CD
included with this reference book:
A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores
Ennio Morricone
Honorary Oscar For Ennio Morricone
Miklos Rozsa Centennial
100th Birthday Tribute to Miklos Rozsa and Web Poll
Dimitri Tiomkin's "Golden Decade"
"In Hollywood vernacular, I could write commercial."
-- Dimitri Tiomkin (1894-1979)
Read Roger Hall's tribute to Hollywood's highest paid film composer of the 1950s, reprinted with a new addendum of recordings at
Runmovies/ Soundtrack
See "Dimitri Tiomkin's HIGH NOON" at
Film Composers and Soundtracks
Also read the DVD review of Dimitri Tionkin's monumental score for
THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
John Williams
John Williams -- 75th Birthday Tribute
and Listener's Poll
Film Actor Music Tributes
""I have been uncompromising, peppery, intractable, monomaniacal, tactless, volatile, and oftentimes disagreeable...I suppose I'm larger than life." -- Bette Davis
She is one of the most admired Hollywood actresses from the past,
known for her distinctive acting, her demanding work ethic,
and those beautiful Bette Davis Eyes.
She was also fortunate to have some of the
best composers working in Hollywood for her films.
Read her biography and reviews of recommended soundtracks
from her classic films at
"They're Either Too Young or Too Old"
A Centennial Birthday Tribute to Bette Davis
“Well, I think one of the main things that you have to think about when acting in the movies is to try not to make the acting show.”
-- James Stewart
As with Bette Davis, James "Jimmy" Stewart was fortunate to have some of the best composers working in Hollywood for his films.
And like Ms. Davis, he also sang occasionally in his films.
Read all about it at this link:
"Easy to Love"
A Centennial Birthday Tribute to James Stewart
Book and DVD Reviews
Book Reviews
The Soundtracks of Woody Allen:
A Complete Guide to the Songs and Music in Every Film, 1969-2005
by Adam Harvey
A Composer's Notes:
Remembering Mikos Rozsa
A Personal Recollection by Jeffrey Dane
Hitchcock's Music by Jack Sullivan
Recommended Film Music Books
Here are several recommended books on film music for teaching purposes
or reading enjoyment...
The Art of Film Music(Paperback)
by George Burt
Comments: A very good textbook for aspiring film composers yet also worthwhile reading for any film music lover. Special emphasis on four film composers: Friedhofer, North, Raksin, Rosenman.
Film Music: A Neglected Art -- A Critical Study of Music in Films (Paperback -- by Roy M. Prendergast
Comment: A more technical study but worth reading.
The Invisible Art of Film Music (Paperback)
by Laurence E. MacDonald
Comments: An excellent non-technical survey from the 1920s to 1990s. Many illustrations and easy to read format.
Knowing The Score: Film Composers Talk About the Art, Craft, Blood, Sweat, and Tears of Writing for Cinema (Paperback)
by David Morgan
Comment: Fascinating interviews with film composers who offer insights into film scoring and collaborating with film directors.
Recommended DVDs
with film composer interviews
THE JOHNNY CARSON SHOW (Guest: composer Dimitri Tiomkin)
THE PLOW THAT BROKE THE PLAINS & THE RIVER
-- music by Virgil Thomson
(includes an audio interview)
End Credits and Links
Film Music Review
is
owned and operated
by
PineTree Productions
For additional information, see these recommended
Film Music Links
Read the past film composers who have been named to
The Tunemaker Hall of Fame
Click on this link for
Five Famous Films from 1956
There have been many film scores and songs chosen for this annual event:
9th Carry A Tune Week (coming in October 2009)
Eighth National Carry A Tune Week (2008)
Seventh National Carry A Tune Week (2007)
Sixth National Carry A Tune Week (2006)
Fifth National Carry A Tune Week (2005)
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