Film music (1951)

FILM MUSIC NEWS MUSIC AMD The University of London has inaugurated in its Extension THE Courses a series of nine lectures on MUSIC AND THE CINEMA CINEMA to be given by John Huntley, the correspondent for FILM MUSIC NOTES. .Among the subjects to be considered are: "The Four Basic Uses of Music in Films", "Limitations of the Sound Track", "Acoustical Problems", "Historical Values", "The Adaptation of Existing Music for Film Purposes", "Experiments in Abstract Patterns to Music", "The Cartoon Filn", "The Specially Composed Film Score", "The Documentary Film", "The Feature Film", "Descriptive Music in Films", "The Synchronous Score", "Music and Sound Effects", "Music and Dialogue", "Ballet"J|0pera", "Analysis and Screen- ing of THE SEVENTH VEIL". These lectures will be illustrated with Gramophone records and the screening of films. Books on above subjects are: BRITISH FILM MUSIC, John Huntley(British Yearbooks, 1947); FILM MUSIC, Kurt London(Faber, 1935)} MUSIC AND THE FILM, Sabanev(Pitman, 1937). Written work will be as follows: (l) Outline the development of the use of serious symphonic works from the concert hall repertoire that has been used in films. (2) TJhat value, if any, has the cinema been in stimulating renewed interest in serious music amongst the film-going public? (3) Estimate, with suitable examples, the work achieved by the cinema in filming the lives and music of the great composers. CANADIAN Interesting news comes from the Canadian Broadcasting Corpor- RROADCASTING ation, Gerald Pratley, in charge of film nev:s programs, will CORPORATION soon feature a program series on American film composers, which is being prepared by Lawrence Morton of Hollywood. Mr. Pratley reports that his last radio program was given over to the J OLSON STORY. He quoted George Duning, composer from FILM MUSIC NOTES of September-October,1949, and spoke highly of Morris Stoloff, music director of Columbia Studios and Arthur Morton, orchestrator of the film. THB The American Society of Music Arrangers is issuing a new publi- SCORE cation, THE SCORE,'which deals with the activities of the Hol- lywood and New York branches of the Society. Joe Mullendore is editor, with Arthur Lange, Lawrence Morton, Lou Maury and Emil Cadkin as associates. Herschel Gilbert, president of the Hollywood group, states that the Society aids and abets the professional arranger in his fight for recognition and security. Bob Haring heads the organization in New York. OSCAR Oscar Straus, composer of the CHOCOLATE SOLDIER has written his STRAUS first film LA RCNDE, based on a play by Arthur Sehnitzler. Some- FILM what like QUARTET in form, the feature is composed of a series of sketches connected by slow waltz music which reflects the movement of a carousel. Its one central character is played by Anton Walbrook, the star of RED SHOES. Max Opuls is directing the film, now nearing completion. BETTER The Better Films Council of Sta-cen Island has secured the coop- FILMS eration of the Fabian Theatres in providing twenty subscriptions COUNCIL to FILM MUSIC NOTES and the National Board of Review's new maga- zine, FIDJB IN REVIEW for seven public libraries, five high school libraries, the Wagner College Library, the Staten Island Museum of Arts and Sciences, The Women's Staten Island Symphony Society, the Catholic Conference College Alumnae and four copies to the Better Films Council. Local councils in the National Film Music Council are carrying out similar projects as a form of group activity.