Watching horror flicks is fun, but have you ever considered listening to them? There's a lot of ghoulish fun in listening to monsterous movie music...that is, the...
By Bob Pellegrino
"Listen to them...the Children of the Night...what music they make!"
Bela Lugosi was referring to howling wolves when he recited this famous line
in Dracula (1931), but
the same can be said of the maestros who scored Universal Studio's classic horror films.
These masterful composers contributed a rich, tangible legacy that enhanced so many of
these wonderful films from the Thirties and Forties.
Who can forget Franz Waxman's sensational score in Bride Of Frankenstein, so haunting and, at times, whimsical yet perfectly suited to this classic motion picture. Just try to imagine the wonderful creation scene of the Monster's bride without Waxman's pounding timpani, concluding with wedding bells! This superb score, performed by a symphony orchestra, is a key element throughout Bride Of Frankenstein, adding depth to each scene.
Universal's tradition in monster music was carried forward in the late Thirties and into the Forties by Charles Previn, Hans J. Salter and Frank Skinner, who contributed to such films as Son Of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man's Revenge,The Wolf Man and many others.
In Son Of Frankentein, the composers produced a truly amazing score on an incredibly tight deadline. In an interview some years ago, Salter recalled how he and Skinner took shifts writing and orchestrating the score, completing the job in 48 hours! Their efforts are apparent in the resounding richness of this soundtrack, which turns up in the studio's other horror entries inthe 1940s.
Some critics take issue with the fact that Universal often "recycled" previous horror scores in its monster sequels through the mid-Forties, although I personally enjoy the familiar themes, all of which became synonymous with Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man, the Mummy and others. In many ways, these themes added a sense of consistency, particularly at a time when the latter sequels need it.
Many of these famous soundtracks from various classic horror films are now commercially available - some fully orchestrated. They're a tribute to the masters of monster music whose work lives on today, providing a symphonic dimension to the monsters we love.
Thanks, Bob! We'll be certain to listen to as well as shiver at our favorite fright flicks! Cheers!
Article copyright Bob Pellegrino. Article originally appeared in the Creepy Classics Video catalog.
