“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962)
Harper Lee’s uplifting and magnificent story, including the damaged (but pure-hearted) Arthur “Boo” Radley saving the children from Bob Ewel, and Atticus’ moral imperative to defend the vulnerable are all priceless gifts that give humanity some hope. The utterly moving music created by the inspired maestro Elmer Bernstein catapults the film to heartbreakingly beautiful heights.
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (Godfather, 1972)
The great film composer Nino Rota’s score is truly an offer no one can refuse. Prepare to be captivated by Italian folk themes, amazing instrumentation, and emotionally charged melodies that capture the amazingly complex moods of one of the best films of all time. Without doubt, it stands as one of the most beautiful and inspired instrumental scores ever written.
“Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.” (Chinatown, 1974)
Roman Polanski’s neo-noir is a stylish depiction of evil, greed, and corruption connected to land dealings and water rights’ disputes in California. The mysteriously haunting score composed by Jerry Goldsmith in only ten days is a perfect match for the film. Considered by many as one best scores of all time in great part due to the memorable mournful trumpet solos.
“You talkin’ to me?” (Taxi Driver, 1976)
Bernard Herrmann’s last film score was for Martin Scorsese’s brilliant portrait of urban alienation and decadence. The unforgettable jazzy and orchestral music is dark and ominous, strange and ethereal, subliminal and dissonant. It is the perfect companion for Travis Bickle descent into a nightmarish world of madness, delusion and violence.
“I tell you those voices soared, higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made these walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free (The Shawshank Redemption, 1994)
‘Red’ (Morgan Freeman) and the other residents of Shawshank were unchained by the ‘Italian ladies’ singing “Canzonetta sull’ aria” (Mozart, “Le Nozze di Figaro”). Prepared to also fall in love with the haunting, dark and dramatic original piano music composed by Thomas Newman. The score is truly inspirational and a central element of this brilliant and miraculous story.
“The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay!” (Radio Show The Shadow, 1930). James Cagney would reply “that’s for yaps and small-timers on shoestrings” (Angels with Dirty Faces, 1938). As far as musical inspiration for great film composers go, the weed of crime does pay indeed.
Notable Crime Tunes
On the Waterfront (1954) – Leonard Bernstein
Perry Mason (1957 TV Series) – Fred Steiner
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) – Elmer Bernstein
Dr. No (1962) “James Bond Theme” – Monty Norman, arranged by John Barry
The Pink Panther (1963) – Henry Mancini
Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series) – Lalo Schifrin
Wait Until Dark (1967) – Elmer Bernstein
Cool Hand Luke (1967) – Lalo Schifrin
Ironside (1967 TV series) – Quincy Jones
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) – Michel Legrand
The French Connection (1971) – Don Ellis
Dirty Harry (1971) – Lalo Schifrin
Klute (1971) – Michael Small
The Godfather (1972) – Nino Rota
Papillon (1973) – Jerry Goldsmith
Serpico (1973) – Mikis Theodorakis
The Sting (1973) – Marvin Hamlisch and Scott Joplin
Chinatown (1974) – Jerry Goldsmith
The Godfather: Part II (1974) – Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) – David Shire
Night Moves – (1975) – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Midnight Express (1978) – Giorgio Moroder, “Chase”
Dressed to Kill, 1980 – Pino Donaggio
Body Heat (1981) – John Barrry
Blade Runner (1982) – Vangelis
Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – Ennio Morricone
Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – Harold Faltermeyer, “Axel F.”
Blue Velvet (1986) – Angelo Bedalamenti
Miller’s Crossing (1990) – Carter Burwell
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Howard Shore
Basic Instinct (1992) – Jerry Goldsmith
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Thomas Newman
Se7en – (1995) – Howard Shore
The Usual Suspects (1995) – John Ottman
Fargo (1996) – Carter Burwell
Hamlet (1996) – Patrick Doyle
L.A. Confidential (1997) – Jerry Goldsmith
Dark City (1998) – Trevor Jones
Mulholland Drive (2001) – Angelo Badalamenti
Road to Perdition (2002) – Thomas Newman
Mystic River (2003) – Clint Eastwood
Sin City (2005) – Robert Rodriguez, assisted by John Debney & Graeme Revell
Zodiac (2007) – David Shire
Sherlock Holmes (2009) – Hans Zimmer, “Discombobulate”
The Town (2010) – Harry Gregson-Williams, David Buckley
Sherlock (2010 TV Series) – David Arnold
Drive (2011) – Cliff Martinez
Chronicles of a Media Aficionado 