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The Haunted Palace/ |
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owadays, few movie studios could match the pace or marketing prowess of American International Pictures (AIP), a low-budget Hollywood outfit that from the late 1950s through the end of the 1970s churned out dozens of second-rate horror and science-fiction films. While nearly all of these flicks fall into the "so bad they're good" category, more often than not the music that accompanied the productions was surprisingly solid. Composer Ronald Stein penned many of these tunes, and a new CD presents his scores for two noted adventures: The Haunted Palace (1963) and The Premature Burial (1962).
Performed by shrill horns and sweeping strings, the dark, menacing, waltz-like motif of "American International Pictures Fanfare/Main Title" sets a superlatively portentous tone for The Haunted Palace. This frightful theme recurs in various incarnations throughout the 13 cuts devoted to the film, including "Vicious Ward/Mutant Circle," which launches with a low-pitched rendition of the melody before interjecting resonant drums and jarring violins, and "Old Warlocks," a scary cue that alters the familiar leitmotif with shivery brass and resounding bass. "Arkham" is a brief number that further emphasizes the forlorn feel of the film, just as "Kerwin to the Rescue" provokes a superbly spine-tingling and sinister air.
Stein provides a much more active--though no less macabre--ambiance in his compositions for The Premature Burial. "Main Title" features an outburst of sinuous sound that leads directly into the tremulous and terrifying "Basement Crypt." Works like "The Mollie Torture" and "Three Murders" add additional instrumental anxiety, with the score culminating in the zestful, tension-filled "Guy Shot/Rest in Peace/Finale." Following the 16 selections from The Premature Burial, the disc concludes with two "Bonus Tracks"--both alternate versions of the powerful "Main Title" theme--from The Haunted Palace.
Mysterious, memorable movie music
Although The Haunted Palace and The Premature Burial don't necessarily represent the most famous horror films produced by AIP (House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum likely hold that distinction), longtime fans will certainly recognize this mysterious and memorable music. Stein's creative accompaniment perfectly captures the suspenseful air of these uncanny flicks, and while there are obvious differences between the two scores, all told the compositions are fittingly frightening and forceful.
"People of Arkham/Beautiful Zombie/Evil Portrait" marvelously exemplifies the dour atmosphere of The Haunted Palace. Soft, spooky strings intermingle with slithering woodwinds and serene chimes, slowly building toward an impressive crescendo that thoroughly embodies the movie's malevolent milieu. Cuts like "Village Dusk Painting/Wheaton Creature," "Mysterioso" and "I Promise/Find the Secret Door" are equally eerie.
Though somewhat more stylistically varied, the melodies for The Premature Burial are just as formidable. "Guy's Choice," which--like many of the cues from this film--subtly incorporates the old sea chantey "Molly Malone" as a thematic element, employs restrained brass and prowling percussion to generate an uneasy, rancorous feeling. At the same time, "Guy's Revenge/Emily Buried" utilizes martial horns and mournful bells to convey both anger and sadness, while the ghostly organ solo that constitutes "Guy's Funeral" is simultaneously sorrowful and soothing.
Despite their ostensible literary origins (The Premature Burial is based on an Edgar Allan Poe story, and The Haunted Palace, although marketed as a Poe adaptation, actually uses an H.P. Lovecraft tale as its basis), neither production is overly elegant or erudite. Nonetheless, Stein's impressive contributions are first-rate. They clearly contribute to the horrific impact of these films, and, to this day, remain intense, invigorating and incredibly effective.
This is the first of two limited-edition CDs that the fledgling Percepto label intends to issue devoted to Stein's AIP music. In the near future, it also plans to release a disc featuring the soundtracks for Invasion of the Saucer Men and It Conquered the World. -- Jeff
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