The Night Walker [Film Score] (1964)

Описание: The Night Walker [Film Score] (1964)
Composed & Conducted by Vic Mizzy (1916-2009)

Tracklisting:

1. [00:00] Main Title / Prologue
2. [04:37] High-Powered Howard
3. [06:22] Eve's Dropping
4. [07:27] Imaginary Lover?
5. [09:15] Hittin' Mrs.
6. [10:48] Bang-Up Night
7. [13:55] Fright In The Night
8. [14:52] Drive To Danger
9. [15:57] Dream Lover
10. [19:02] Restaurant Muzak
11. [21:25] Dream Lover Returns
12. [24:20] Candlelight & Champagne
13. [27:03] Marriage Mirage
14. [29:20] Weird Wedding
15. [33:10] Car Radio
16. [33:45] Around She Goes
17. [35:38] Ring Of Truth / Lover On The Prowl / Pleasant Dreams
18. [37:57] Blade For Barry / Lover On The Prowl II
19. [39:39] Wake Up, Irene
20. [42:33] Drive To Danger II
21. [43:44] Scary Barry
22. [46:00] Shot In The Act / The Bitter End

Originally titled 'The Dream Killer, this American psychological thriller was directed by William Castle (1914-1977) from the screenplay by Robert Bloch (1917-1994), forever known to the general populace as the author of 'Psycho. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1990), Hayden Rorke (1910-1987), Jess Barker (1912-2000), Judi Meredith (1936-2014), Lloyd Bochner (1924-2005), Marjorie Bennett (1896-1982), Robert Taylor (1911-1969), and Tetsu Komai (1894-1970). Castle, long-noted for hyping his horror releases with outrageous promotional gimmicks, dialed it back for this film, feeling that the notoriety of having ex-husband-and-wife stars Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck after their last on-screen collaboration in 1937 (they had divorced in 1951) would be enough to draw in the audience. A master showman, Castle considered himself the P.T. Barnum of cinema and made a unique, if minor, contribution to American motion pictures. On a side note, the film's opening is narrated by the great Paul Frees (1920-1986), who made a career as an actor, comedian, impressionist and vaudevillian.

Blind, aging billionaire Howard Trent (Hayden Rorke) suspects his wife Irene (Barbara Stanwyck) is having an affair. She talks in her sleep and it has set him on edge. Who is this man she speaks so highly and so loving of, he wonders? She must be cheating! Although Irene is faithful, she is not happy in her marriage. Howard has become possessive and violent, lashing out by constantly accusing her of cheating. He records all the conversations in the house, hoping to catch his wife in some illicit act. The only visitor she sees is Barry Moreland (Robert Taylor), the lawyer who watches over the Trent holdings. Howard spends all his time tucked away in his private laboratory working on projects. Irene is at the end of her rope when suddenly an explosion rocks part of the mansion, killing Howard in his laboratory. Irene now finds herself a widow and the beneficiary of her husband's estate. Thinking she is at last free of her husband's insanely possessive grasp, she consults with Barry to sell the property, and decides to move into the back room of the beauty parlor she owned before she met and married Howard. However, Irene's nightly visions begin again with increasing intensity, until they take the form of an unseen presence known simply as 'The Dream (Lloyd Bochner), who whisks her away to a bizarre, surreal wedding ceremony in front of a group of wax figures as witnesses. Did any of this really happen? Irene begins to doubt her own sanity and unaccountably finds herself wishing to return to the house she shared with Howard. But the reality behind Irene's dreams is a secret that 'The Night Walker' withholds until the very end; a bizarre and complex tale of murder, betrayal and deception....

Modestly budgeted, and shot entirely at Universal City, 'The Night Walker is a fascinating and complex gem, and adding to the suspense and atmosphere of the film is the distinctive soundtrack by American composer Vic Mizzy. The ever-popular composer creates a dark and repetitive guitar-driven score that is the perfect accompaniment to Castle's film as the director ventures into the uncertainties lurking within the main characters subconscious. Based on this score alone, Lew Wasserman (1913-2002), then-head of Universal studios used Mizzy as much as possible, which lead to many of Universal's most memorable scores. Mizzy wrote a number of hit songs for popular music, films and television beginning in the 1940's. Among some of his best-known works are the themes to the 1960's television sitcoms Green Acres and The Addams Family (for which he also sang on the original recording). Mizzy enjoyed his craft and was ever eager to teach and raise awareness regarding songwriting. A superb score from one of Hollywood's finest composers.

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