Ok, this is from James Jones' novel (just how many James Joneses have ever been born?), and was adapted in to a famous film in the 50s.
Not exactly a theme song, but the famous kiss scene's crescendo is instantly recognizable in film lore:
Showing posts with label theme songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theme songs. Show all posts
10/8/09
Brian's Song
Having mentioned Billy Dee Williams, I should point to his most well known pre-Star Wars role- in the telefilm Brian's Song, with James Caan.
While a solid film, it does slip into some maudlin moments when the Brian Piccolo character dies, Williams is terrific as Gale Sayers, star running back for the Chicago Bears.
Here is a highlight:
And here is the theme song that is one of the most famous in tv history, by Henry Mancini (who else?):
There's a reason it was called Brian's Song, after all.
While a solid film, it does slip into some maudlin moments when the Brian Piccolo character dies, Williams is terrific as Gale Sayers, star running back for the Chicago Bears.
Here is a highlight:
And here is the theme song that is one of the most famous in tv history, by Henry Mancini (who else?):
There's a reason it was called Brian's Song, after all.
10/7/09
Mahogany
Ok, so maybe Billy Dee Williams could have taken out Richard Roundtree.
Anyway, any film that has Billy Dee AND Tony Perkins, has to be cool.
Why the film Mahogany was so trashed by the critics I'll never understand. Granted, Berry Gordy of Motown fame was not a film director, but this is a quite realistic portrait of a woman's rise from the ghetto, and stamped with the great Diana Ross's vocals in the film's theme song, Do You Know Where You’re Going To.
I dug MISS Ross as a kid. It's weird, because, aside from movie stars like Raquel Welch or Tuesday Weld, the female stars I fantasized the most of were singers, and most of the female singers of that era were black- at least the good ones. I mean, ok, I'll say Grace Slick was a babe, but Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, Janis Joplin? C'mon, who would you have rather nailed? Those white gals, or Miss Ross?
And, actually, Ross does a fine job in this role. The song is indelible. The film is better than generally accepted, and, as the clip shows, the cinematography was interesting.
And, did I mention Tony Perkins? It's another portrayal by this actor whose career post-Psycho, has been all but dismissed. He was a terrific actor.
And, three words: Billy Dee Williams. Long before he hawked beer or starred in the silly Star Wars crap, he was the epitome of cool in this film, one which solidified an already good career.
Watch the film and enjoy the song.
Anyway, any film that has Billy Dee AND Tony Perkins, has to be cool.
Why the film Mahogany was so trashed by the critics I'll never understand. Granted, Berry Gordy of Motown fame was not a film director, but this is a quite realistic portrait of a woman's rise from the ghetto, and stamped with the great Diana Ross's vocals in the film's theme song, Do You Know Where You’re Going To.
I dug MISS Ross as a kid. It's weird, because, aside from movie stars like Raquel Welch or Tuesday Weld, the female stars I fantasized the most of were singers, and most of the female singers of that era were black- at least the good ones. I mean, ok, I'll say Grace Slick was a babe, but Carly Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, Janis Joplin? C'mon, who would you have rather nailed? Those white gals, or Miss Ross?
And, actually, Ross does a fine job in this role. The song is indelible. The film is better than generally accepted, and, as the clip shows, the cinematography was interesting.
And, did I mention Tony Perkins? It's another portrayal by this actor whose career post-Psycho, has been all but dismissed. He was a terrific actor.
And, three words: Billy Dee Williams. Long before he hawked beer or starred in the silly Star Wars crap, he was the epitome of cool in this film, one which solidified an already good career.
Watch the film and enjoy the song.
10/6/09
Save The Earth! Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster
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Ok,this was not a very good Godzilla film. But,Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster had the coolest theme song in the film series. When this film came out in the early 1970s, I recall the local hippies in Queens used to sing a version of this song.
Funny, but nearly 40 years later, and obviously we never heeded the warning- i.e.- lo global warming!
Gotta love the bad dubbing with this Japanese chicke. Only thing missing are the Nancy Sinatra go-go boots.
Damn, this is still one of my fave all time movie theme songs.
The Spy Who Loved Me
Not big on the James Bond films, but I grew up with Roger Moore as Bond, not Sean Connery. Moore, ex-The Saint, had a sense of elan and humor Connery lacked. He was Bond, and more in the vein that Ian Fleming, the character's creator, envisioned.
The 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me was ok. I recall seeing most of the Moore films whilst sneaking into theaters. Never a big Carly Simon fan, either, but somehow this silly ballad has always stuck with me. 32 years ago it was all over the radio.
Hmmm....what other film theme songs stick with you, despite your best efforts to forget them?
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