Louis and Bebe Barron's Forbidden Planet: A Film Score Guide (Volume 4) (Film Score Guides, 4)

Forbidden Planet is a product of the M.G.M. studio, which at the time of the production of this film was hardly in the business of making science-fiction films. Originally planned as a "B" picture, the 1956 Forbidden Planet was praised for its spectacular special effects and brilliant color cinematography. The plot practically tingles with sexual innuendo and the dialogue is rich in references to Freudian psychology. However, in spite of all this, the film was marketed to a juvenile audience.Notwithstanding its uncommon look and "feel," perhaps the most unusual aspect of the film is the way it sounds. Never before had a major Hollywood effort utilized a score generated entirely by electronic means, yet seldom does one find commentary on how Louis and Bebe Barron's score again and again challenges Hollywood norms.In addition to placing the composers and film in historical context, James Wierzbicki's study offers a deep and thorough analysis of not only the music as used in the film, but also of the decontextualized music as presented by the Barrons on the 1977 "original soundtrack album." The text is generously illustrated with transcriptions and graphs, and can serve as a model for the examination of other extended works of electronic music for which no written score has ever existed. Forbidden Planet (1956) Is A Product Of The Mgm Studio, Which At The Time Was Hardly In The Business Of Making Science-fiction Films. Originally Planned As A B Picture, Forbidden Planet Was Praised For Its Spectacular Special Effects And Brilliant Color Cinematography. The Plot Practically Tingles With Sexual Innuendo And The Dialogue Is Rich In References To Freudian Psychology, Yet The The Movie Was Marketed To A Juvenile Audience. Notwithstanding The Film's Uncommon Look And Feel, Perhaps The Most Unusual Aspect Of The Film Is The Way It Sounds. Never Before Had A Major Hollywood Movie Been Scored Entirely By Electronic Means, And Seldom Does One Find Commentary On How Louis And Bebe Barron's Score Challenged Hollywood Conventions. In Addition To Placing The Composers And Film In Historical Context, Wierzbicki's Study Offers A Thorough Analysis Of Not Only The Music As Used In The Film, But Also Of The Decontextualized Music As Presented By The Barrons On The 1977 Original Soundtrack Album. The Text Is Illustrated With Transcriptions And Graphs, And Can Serve As A Model For The Examination Of Other Extended Works Of Electronic Music For Which No Written Score Has Ever Existed.--jacket. Origins And Connections -- Compositional Techniques -- Historical And Critical Contexts -- The Music -- The Film Score. James Wierzbicki. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Forbidden Planet is a product of the MGM studio, which at the time of the production of this film was hardly in the business of making science-fiction films. Originally planned as a "B" picture, the 1956 Forbidden Planet was praised for its spectacular special effects and brilliant color cinematography. The plot practically tingles with sexual innuendo and the dialogue is rich in references to Freudian psychology. However, in spite of all this, the film was marketed to a juvenile audience. Notwithstanding its uncommon look and "feel," perhaps the most unusual aspect of the film is the way it sounds. Never before had a major Hollywood effort utilized a score generated entirely by electronic means, yet seldom does one find commentary on how Louis and Bebe Barron's score again and again challenges Hollywood norms. In addition to placing the composers and film in historical context, James Wierzbicki's study offers a deep and thorough analysis of not only the music as used in the film, but also of the decontextualized music as presented by the Barrons on the 1977 "original soundtrack album." The text is generously illustrated with transcriptions and graphs, and can serve as a model for the examination of other extended works of electronic music for which no written score has ever existed. "Forbidden Planet (1956) is a product of the MGM studio, which at the time was hardly in the business of making science-fiction films. Originally planned as a "B" picture, Forbidden Planet was praised for its spectacular special effects and brilliant color cinematography. The plot practically tingles with sexual innuendo and the dialogue is rich in references to Freudian psychology, yet the the movie was marketed to a juvenile audience." "Notwithstanding the film's uncommon look and feel, perhaps the most unusual aspect of the film is the way it sounds. Never before had a major Hollywood movie been scored entirely by electronic means, and seldom does one find commentary on how Louis and Bebe Barron's score challenged Hollywood conventions." "In addition to placing the composers and film in historical context, Wierzbicki's study offers a thorough analysis of not only the music as used in the film, but also of the decontextualized music as presented by the Barrons on the 1977 original soundtrack album. The text is illustrated with transcriptions and graphs, and can serve as a model for the examination of other extended works of electronic music for which no written score has ever existed."--Page 4 de la couv Dedication 6 Contents 8 Figures 9 Editor’s Foreword • Kate Daubney 10 Preface 12 1 Origins and Connections 14 2 Compositional Techniques 30 3 Historical and Critical Contexts 56 4 The Music 76 5 The Film Score 112 Notes 168 Bibliography 188 Index 192 About the Author 198