The
Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm/The Honeymoon Machine (1962, 1961)
Limited Edition of 2,000 Copies.
Composed by: Leigh Harline, Bob Merrill
This 2CD set presents a key work relating to fantasy filmmaker George Pal,
composer Leigh Harline, and the widescreen Cinerama film process: The
Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962).
One of only two dramatic films shot in three-strip Cinerama (an innovative
widescreen format — "How the West Was Won" was the other), "The
Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm" was producer and co-director
George Pal’s telling of the story of brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Karl
Boehm and Laurence Harvey), incorporating three of the famous Grimm fairy
tales, anthology-style. Between Pal’s fantasy filmmaking (including his
innovative Puppetoons), the hybrid biographical/anthology format, and the
widescreen Cinerama lensing, Brothers Grimm was one of the most unique
family films ever made.
The prominent soundtrack to "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm"
was a collaborative effort of songwriter Bob Merrill (Carnival!, Funny Girl)
and score composer Leigh Harline (Pinocchio, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao). Merrill
wrote five songs and three instrumental themes for the film (including the
chipper, catchy main theme), which were incorporated into a charming
symphonic score by Harline. Complete with Overture, Intermission and Exit
Music, the soundtrack is a major fantasy work that benefits from being
recorded in the unique seven-channel, 135 feet-per-minute Cinerama
format—yielding terrific sound quality today, with excellent use of the
stereo field.
Disc one of this 2CD set presents the premiere release of the complete score
to "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm", newly mixed and
mastered from the original seven-channel Cinerama masters. Disc two has
three sections: First is the David Rose “cover” version of the Brothers
Grimm soundtrack released by MGM Records at the time of the film, featuring
Rose’s versions of Merrill’s themes on side one, and six contemporary movie
themes on side two. In the middle of disc two is a program of bonus tracks
from the original soundtrack sessions to Brothers Grimm. Finally, concluding
disc two is Leigh Harline’s charming, never-before-released romantic comedy
score to the 1961 M-G-M film, "The Honeymoon Machine", starring Steve
McQueen, with an upbeat title song, “Love Is Crazy” (lyrics by Jack Brooks).
Liner notes to this premiere release are by Jim Lochner—but there was so
much to write about that additional notes are presented, for free, online at
our website. Go here to begin reading about "The Wonderful World of the
Brothers Grimm" and the related music presented on this long-awaited
album.
| More in 70mm reading:
Liner notes for "The Wonderful World of
Brothers Grimm"
The Wonderful World of the Brothers
Grimm. The legendary “lost” Cinerama Reviewed
Cinerama Film
Todd-AO "Mag Men" 2CD Released
Internet link:
Film Score
Monthly
Screen Archives Entertainment
Brothers Grimm
Liner notes
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