Family Plot Soundtrack Release

[indy4 160]

Hey everyone! This poll is all about the score to Family Plot. You need to put if you like the score or not, and why or why not. I am sending an e-mail to Varese Sarabande, and I will be linking this forum topic on the e-mail, to convince them a soundtrack release of Family Plot MUST be created.

Please don't post any unnecessary comments or jokes, and only have one post per-person. Make a new topic if you want to discuss further subjects that come from this post, but do NOT go off on a discussion. We don't want to waste the people at Varese Sarabandes' time. Thanks!

I'll go first, as an example:

I love the score. It has many great qualities, such as the beautiful choral pieces, the creepy and evil themes, the riveting action sequences, and the light-hearted fun.

[King Mark 3,908]

It has always been a "holy grail " of mine and have wanted it above any of the still unreleased Williams scores. .I love the choral pieces (the opening cue "Main title/The Seance" is in my top 5 unreleased Williams cues of all time), but the rest of the underscore is also great from what I've been able to listen to .I would buy an official release right away,preferably in stereo.

...and you are?

K.M.

[pixie_twinkle 60]

Welcome to the board. I have no idea if Varese has the rights to release this score, and I have a feeling that if anyone had the rights it would have been released 10 years ago, but...

Family Plot is a landmark score for John Williams, and as Hitchcock's final film it surely holds an important place in movie score history. I've wanted a CD of this score for a long time and would certainly buy a copy were it to be released. Count me in, Varese!

[GoodMusician 66]

The score is perhaps one of the most iconic Williams scores unavailable. What I've heard of the score, you can hear the beginnings of what would become many great scores such as War of the Worlds, AI, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and many more. It's amazing to hear this evolution and with an official release, it would be wonderful to fill in the gaps and be able to understand the man who's music we love that much more.

I would pre-order this score simply to ensure I got one.

[jw_researcher 0]

This score is in dire need of its first legitimate release.

There are so many moments reminiscent of JW's other scores. We hear:

* E.T. like orchestration when Arthur Adamson hides diamond in the chandelier.

* impressionistic voices in the seance sequences & End Credits (similar to SUPERMAN, A.I., etc.)

* lots of alto flutes in unison (a very JW orchestration technique in his 70s scores). Reminds me of parts of

THE TOWERING INFERNO

* When Joe Maloney chases Blanche and George (in his car), there is a JAWS-like motif playing.

* After Blanche and George escape Joe Maloney (the first time), a nice quiet cue plays, with solo piano presenting

the main theme (the DVD documentary uses this cue several times as underscore).

* The search montage (Blanche looking for Arthur Adamsons) has a great strings accompaniment (very rhythmic) under

the main theme presentation. Also has some Prokofiev-like parts in the woodwinds/harpsichord.

According to a recent book on music from Hitchcock films, Williams' own father (who was a percussionist) played tympani in the recording sessions.

One can hope that Varese could release this - it's a Universal film, and they did release JW's "Heartbeeps" (1982) so maybe it could still happen...

[Maurizio 6,765]

According to a recent book on music from Hitchcock films, Williams' own father (who was a percussionist) played tympani in the recording sessions.

Nice trivia, I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing it.

Family Plot is a great little wonderful Williams gem of his pre-Star Wars period. I love the faux-Neoclassical pastiche he did for this score. The use of female chorus for the seance sequences is astounding and predates also his impressionistic use of voices in Close Encounters and Superman, as has been noted by others.

This is a score truly in need of a legitimate release. I really hope it will come out very soon!

[Lurker 5]

According to a recent book on music from Hitchcock films, Williams' own father (who was a percussionist) played tympani in the recording sessions.

Thanks for the tip. Is this the book you're referring to?

Neil

[artyjeffrey 20]

According to a recent book on music from Hitchcock films, Williams' own father (who was a percussionist) played tympani in the recording sessions.

Thanks for the tip. Is this the book you're referring to?

Neil

At first I thought you were referring to "Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light," but John Williams's name only appears only once in the book. That's right, only ONE SINGLE time:

"Once, music had been paramount for Hitchcock; now it was almost an afterthought. 'Evidently nothing in Family Plot or Frenzy had been planned in relation to the musical score,' according to [John Russell] Taylor, 'which was slotted into a relatively small, circumscribed place in Hitch's considerations, to be supplied when the rest of the film was nearing completion.' John Williams, riding high at Universal on the tsunami of "Jaws," was hired to write the score." (page 729)

It seems that Universal's feeling regarding the value of the score was in harmony with Hitch, since they never released it. Oh well, it's just our loss, right?

[jw_researcher 0]

According to a recent book on music from Hitchcock films, Williams' own father (who was a percussionist) played tympani in the recording sessions.

Thanks for the tip. Is this the book you're referring to?

Neil

Yes indeed - the book is "Hitchcock's music". The last chapter (on FAMILY PLOT) is the most extensive treatment I've yet found in print covering the score. The chapter even goes into several of the more significant cues in the score, discussing orchestration and such.

JW showed a lot of integrity in accepting this assignment. Having been a friend of Bernard Herrmann, when offered the job, he first checked with Herrmann if it were OK if he took the commission: Herrmann had had a falling out with Hitchcok over the score to TORN CURTAIN. While some in the business may have eagerly accepted the assignment due to the high profile of Hitchcock, JW nevertheless accepted provided Herrmann was OK with it (Herrmann advised JW to accept and told him he'd never work with Hitchcock again).

Apparently, Benny was fond of JW's first wife (Barbara Ruick) and they were all good friends.

All this suggests JW was offered the position sometime before the end of 1975, because Herrmann died Dec 24, 1975.

[crumbs 15,888]

John Williams scored a Hitchcock film...?

[indy4 160]

Hey everyone! The subject on this forum topic have gotten a bit side-tracked, so I've decided just to take some quotes that you've mentioned, and offer the link as proof of the quotes. Thanks everyone for contributing to this topic, and can continue to talk about whatever now. I'll try to tell you all if Varese responds.

...and you are?

K.M.

I'm a newcomer, but I've only joined just to post this in hopes of getting a Family Plot soundtrack release. I'll probably be leaving after this topic is over.

[King Mark 3,908]

Is there something we don't know about Varese having the rights to released this but are on the fence about deciding to do so?

[indy4 160]

I have no clue.

[Ollie 1,364]

Varese isn't the only label that would be in the running to do this.

There is a slight possibility, and this was based on some hints from a record producer on the FSM message board about an upcoming project, that it might be coming.

I have no concrete proof but several other members also came to that same conclusion.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

You might as well try Intrada, La La Land, Prometheus and FSM while you're at it.

Great as they are, the world of soundtrack publishing doesn't end with Varèse Sarabande.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Oh, great way to kiss Varese's ass, Marc!

Ray Barnsbury

[Hitch 60]

Next up from the Hitchcock House of Horrors, the burning at the stake for John Williams' score to FAMILY PLOT. Watch those tapes burn, baby. I think you put too much gas on there, Ed.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Oh, great way to kiss Varese's ass, Marc!

Ray Barnsbury

And I didn't even get that Grand Prize in Úbeda!

Ingrates.

[indy4 160]

You might as well try Intrada, La La Land, Prometheus and FSM while you're at it.

Great as they are, the world of soundtrack publishing doesn't end with Varèse Sarabande.

Sure! Anyone have their contact info? (preferably e-mail)

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Intrada

La La Land

Prometheus

Film Score Monthly.com

[indy4 160]

THanks! I'll send them all e-mails.

If anyone else knows of any other label that releases soundtracks that have never been released, please post them w/ their contact info.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,842]

Well intentioned as this is, what is really the point.

The guys of Varese, Intrada, FSM, etc...etc... don't have to be made aware of Family Plot.

[Ollie 1,364]

Yes, I'm sure if it were something that could have been done, more than likely a release would already be available.

[GoodMusician 66]

you all are such defeatists...

what does it matter if they are being made aware of it for the first time or the 15th. It's still something that he wants to do and I applaud it.

[Ollie 1,364]

Nobody is being a defeatist.

Lukas, Doug, Ford and Roger Townson all know this is an important score by Williams. Sometimes a little common sense needs to be applied.

[indy4 160]

Yes, I'm sure if it were something that could have been done, more than likely a release would already be available.

I realize that is possible, but I really want this soundtrack, and I have nothing to loose.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,842]

The people at Varese, FSM, Intrada, Lala land most likely want this score, and a complete Alien, a complete BTTF a complete Temple Of Doom etc...etc...as much as any of us.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Yes, but if indy4 wants to show his fandom and take the effort, why stop him?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 11,842]

Oh I agree, there's nothing wrong with his effort.

[indy4 160]

Well, I've just sent the e-mail. Thanks everyone for responding, I'll tell you the reply, if I get one...

[Hitch 60]

Status report, Mr Indy4.

[Ollie 1,364]

Looking back on this thread the release I thought would be FP turned out to be Images, but we did get Alien.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

Weird to think a half year ago Alien was still one of those scores we always include in our against-better-knowledge hope lists whenever a new batch of special releases was coming.

We are getting spoiled these days, aren't we?

[Elmo Lewis 7]

I'll probably be leaving after this topic is over.

Dang you, Hitch, you had to bump this.

[Ollie 1,364]

Weird to think a half year ago Alien was still one of those scores we always include in our against-better-knowledge hope lists whenever a new batch of special releases was coming.

We are getting spoiled these days, aren't we?

We've been spoiled for the last 10 years, some people just don't appreciate it.

[Morlock 11]

Us soundtrack fans are an extremely spoiled demographic.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Wow, the arrival of Indy 4. It's only been 7 months?

[Ollie 1,364]

Feels like 7 years..............

[pixie_twinkle 60]

He's beaten my 5-year post-count in just 8 months. Something tells me he won't be leaving any time soon. He's a JWFan addict now.

[indy4 160]

Status report, Mr Indy4.

The few that did reply pretty much said what you guys had been saying all along

But you should know that, Hitch.

Wow, the arrival of Indy 4. It's only been 7 months?

Don't patronize me!

Feels like 7 years..............

[tons of returns]

He's beaten my 5-year post-count in just 8 months. Something tells me he won't be leaving any time soon. He's a JWFan addict now.

:lol: I think that's about right.

[Red 75]

He's beaten my 5-year post-count in just 8 months. Something tells me he won't be leaving any time soon. He's a JWFan addict now.

And that's a good thing?

[John Crichton 4]

*sigh* I vos never dat young.

[JoeinAR 1,955]

Hey everyone! This poll is all about the score to Family Plot. You need to put if you like the score or not, and why or why not. I am sending an e-mail to Varese Sarabande, and I will be linking this forum topic on the e-mail, to convince them a soundtrack release of Family Plot MUST be created.

Please don't post any unnecessary comments or jokes, and only have one post per-person. Make a new topic if you want to discuss further subjects that come from this post, but do NOT go off on a discussion. We don't want to waste the people at Varese Sarabandes' time. Thanks!

I'll go first, as an example:

I love the score. It has many great qualities, such as the beautiful choral pieces, the creepy and evil themes, the riveting action sequences, and the light-hearted fun.

its not a Masterpiece, no where near

[Delorean90 47]

Yeah, it's excellent, but masterpiece? I'd say that honor would probably go to Star Wars. Each time I go back to it I'm amazed at how memorable and accessible it is from the film and everything, but at the same time, sounds totally legit as music, like it should be included in the concert repertoire.

[indy4 160]

I could never judge whether FP was a masterpiece until I heard it on CD, but from what I've heard in the film, and from my broad definition of the word "masterpiece," it certainly is!

[Hitch 60]

Good job the session tapes have now been destroyed beyond all hope.

[Ollie 1,364]

You old grumpy bastard.

[FBC Director 10,764]

Old but not outlived his usefulness.

[Hitch 60]

Thank you all so much for the kind comments.

[JoeinAR 1,955]

I could never judge whether FP was a masterpiece until I heard it on CD, but from what I've heard in the film, and from my broad definition of the word "masterpiece," it certainly is!

masterpiece should not have a broad definition