One thing I always wondered, is how did Ken Thorne get the job of Scoring Superman II? I know he had a history with Richard Lester -- but the Salkinds always went for "name" composers -- Legrand and Schifrin for the Musketeers movies, Jarre for Crossed Swords, Williams of course for Superman, Goldsmith for Supergirl, Mancini for Santa Claus.
So I can't see why the Salkinds would allow Lester to bring someone who was basically a C-list composer on board. Lester also had numerous collaborations with John Barry, so why wasn't Barry tapped for the job? (Not that Barry would have been the best choice for a Superman movie, but Barry was certainly more of a "blockbuster" composer than Thorne!)
Re: This Week's Aisle Seat - A SUPER-Sized Home Video Celebration
Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 11:22 am
by AndyDursin
Thanks Paul!
I've always figured they came to the conclusion they really just wanted someone to adapt Williams' themes from the original -- not someone to even write new material. That, right off the bat, would a) save them money and b) likely prevent someone on the A-list from even wanting to do the assignment since it was an adaptation. Thorne had experience in that regard on Lester's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (albeit a musical) and a history with him coming into it like you said.
It is what it is so to speak -- an adaptation as opposed to an original score -- but at least Thorne found an effective way of using all the thematic material handed to him. On III he was given a lot more freedom and I think he did a solid job with that score. It's certainly head and shoulders above Alexander Courage's IV despite Williams' "involvement"!
Re: This Week's Aisle Seat - A SUPER-Sized Home Video Celebration
Posted: Sat May 06, 2023 1:44 pm
by Paul MacLean
AndyDursin wrote: ↑Sat May 06, 2023 11:22 am
That, right off the bat, would a) save them money and b) likely prevent someone on the A-list from even wanting to do the assignment since it was an adaptation.
I suppose that makes sense. Though I'd still have preferred a more original score -- with of course the retention of the main theme and love theme (more like what Thorne did for Superman III). In retrospect it doesn't seem like they wanted to spend a lot of money -- smaller orchestra, smaller scoring stage (CTS), etc.
It's certainly head and shoulders above Alexander Courage's IV despite Williams' "involvement"!
Can't argue with that!
Re: This Week's Aisle Seat - A SUPER-Sized Home Video Celebration
Posted: Wed May 10, 2023 11:19 am
by AndyDursin
I forgot he wrote that...and of course he did because it's one of those "concert arrangements" on the CD! And I still can't believe he DID write it.
