Bill Wrobel's DVD - Film Score Rundowns

http://www.amazon.com/Quatermass-Pit-Classic-Television-
Starring/dp/B0038MC1FO/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1293764366&sr=1-1
I was sold to this six-part BBC series once I discovered Andre Morell played Dr.
Quatermass. I really like Morell (if you remember, he was in The Giant Behemoth, and
played Sextus in Ben-Hur), and his presence and performance elevates the televisionorigins
of this show. He’s like the Gandalf character played by Ian McKellen—someone
you would really like to have around for perceptive answers or advice. I like his
performance far more than Brian Donlevy’s as Quatermass. I would’ve preferred him in
white or gray hair in this series, but that’s all right. The tracked music by Leonard
Treblico (aka Trevor Duncan) is sufficiently urgent and gripping, especially the Main
Title music. I liked the brassy figures used in a few sections of the final two episodes. For
instance, in Chapter 5, the dvd location is 2:18:14. The trombones play a 10-note marcato
phrase repeated again. Rather Herrmannesque, what?! The destruction of the matterenergy
Martian is far better visualized in the 1967 movie version (Five Million Years To
Earth title in America), plus the movie was in color, and the production values were
better. Andrew Kier did a fine portrayal as Quatermass, but I preferred Morell’s
portrayal. I recommend both.
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-Doctor Who: The Ark in Space (1975) ***
http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Ark-Space-
Story/dp/B000067FPC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1292883481&sr=1-1
Another character I enjoyed a lot when younger was Doctor Who as played by
Tom Baker from 1974-1981. I really loved his gregarious demeanor and toothy wide
smile! Great voice too. Ark in Space is certainly not the best of the lot (Pyramid from
Mars would be one of the best) but at least I have it on dvd (the latter episode I have only
on old-format vhs-video). The dvd includes a nice commentary by Tom Baker and
Elisabeth Sladen.
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-Saratoga Trunk (1946) *** [music ****]
http://www.wbshop.com/Saratoga-Trunk/1000179697,default,pd.html?cgid=
Strange mainstream B& W movie, rather labored in motion, and “talky” but I still
like it—especially the music by Max Steiner. Great sensuous brass of the Main Title. I
worked very briefly on the written score on September 12, 2003. If I recall, there was
little material to work on. I believe much of the full score was missing or something. The
Conductor score was there at least for the Clint Theme that I like so much (dvd location
00:17:24). Perfect “Texas” theme for the Gary Cooper role! It’s also a great introductory
scene of Clint. I would also like to add that Ingrid Bergman is gorgeous here in her
prime, and I really welcomed Flora Robson in the cast (remember her as the Queen in
Sea Hawk?). Robson is a terrific supporting character actress.
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