Soundtracks that are more famous than the film

[JSngry]

Yes. I own it on VHS. It's called something else though. 

[medjuck]

It's not a complete score but "Stella by Starlight" is certainly better known than "The Uninvited" the film where it's a theme in the score.

And "Unchained Melody" is way better known than the film "Unchained". 

(OTOH The film "Laura" is almost as famous as the song of the same title derived from its score. There's an oft told story that's so good I doubt its veracity:  Otto Preminger had wanted to use Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady"  because David Raksin couldn't come up with a theme.  Then one night Raksin came home to find his wife had left him. He sat at the piano and wrote "Laura". ")  

Edited August 13, 2023 by medjuck

[clifford_thornton]

1 hour ago, Teasing the Korean said:

The album hasn't stayed in print continually enough to be very well-known.  The "Yo-Yo" track is well known because it was on some comps.  It is definitely the money cut.

What do you mean? It was pressed numerous times between 1970 and the 1980s -- issued by EMI Pathé (FR), EMI Odeon (JP), and Nessa (US). Then Universal Sound/Soul Jazz reissued it (over 20 years ago now), plus there are some random EU bootlegs. It's an in demand record in its original/early forms and pricey, but not rare, and that consistent demand is due to the funky opening track, which is a masterstroke. The whole album is great and should be heard beyond "Theme de Yo-Yo."

[JSngry]

1 hour ago, clifford_thornton said:

What do you mean? It was pressed numerous times between 1970 and the 1980s -- issued by EMI Pathé (FR), EMI Odeon (JP), and Nessa (US). Then Universal Sound/Soul Jazz reissued it (over 20 years ago now), plus there are some random EU bootlegs. It's an in demand record in its original/early forms and pricey, but not rare, and that consistent demand is due to the funky opening track, which is a masterstroke. The whole album is great and should be heard beyond "Theme de Yo-Yo."

This. 

[sgcim]

Most of David Raksin's films after he named names in the McCarthy hearings of the 50s were smaller budgeted, lesser known films, because Hollywood stopped giving him films like "Laura", with stars that had drawing power. Instead of the government blacklisting him or throwing him in jail, he got 'blacklisted by Hollywood itself.

[Chuck Nessa]

2 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

What do you mean? It was pressed numerous times between 1970 and the 1980s -- issued by EMI Pathé (FR), EMI Odeon (JP), and Nessa (US). Then Universal Sound/Soul Jazz reissued it (over 20 years ago now), plus there are some random EU bootlegs. It's an in demand record in its original/early forms and pricey, but not rare, and that consistent demand is due to the funky opening track, which is a masterstroke. The whole album is great and should be heard beyond "Theme de Yo-Yo."

And Universal Sound issued a gatefold vinyl version circa 2018 - and there is THIS!

[Teasing the Korean]

11 hours ago, clifford_thornton said:

What do you mean? It was pressed numerous times between 1970 and the 1980s -- issued by EMI Pathé (FR), EMI Odeon (JP), and Nessa (US). Then Universal Sound/Soul Jazz reissued it (over 20 years ago now), plus there are some random EU bootlegs. It's an in demand record in its original/early forms and pricey, but not rare, and that consistent demand is due to the funky opening track, which is a masterstroke. The whole album is great and should be heard beyond "Theme de Yo-Yo."

Any time I've tried to find the CD, it is out of print. Is it available now?

Also, in my experience, the soundtrack is not widely discussed in film music circles. 

Finally, is there an edition with cover art other than the image posted previously?

Edited August 13, 2023 by Teasing the Korean

[Rabshakeh]

It's easily available. I used to own it on CD, which I brought in a mass market record shop (back when that was a thing) in a provincial. 

[Teasing the Korean]

9 minutes ago, Rabshakeh said:

It's easily available. I used to own it on CD, which I brought in a mass market record shop (back when that was a thing) in a provincial. 

Thanks.  I'm just questioning whether it meets the criteria of the thread. I'm not sure about its impact outside of the jazz world.  The only time it has come up in film music conversations over the years are when I've mentioned it.  This is anecdotal, of course.

[rostasi]

It definitely fits the thread title. I can’t say that anyone I know who had heard that album said that they had ever seen the film, but I’ve never really hung out with film buffs.

I absolutely remember being 12 years old and hearing Thème de Yoyo a number of times being played at least twice a week on both Earl McGhee’s, “Transition” show on WNIB and on Saul Smaizys’ “Triad” on WXFM in the very early 70s and it became a “must-have” for me. Another trip to Rose or Hegewisch was in order. Yeah, there was a time in the 80s and 90s where it was harder to find, but it’s been readily available for the past 20+ years.

[Teasing the Korean]

3 minutes ago, rostasi said:

It definitely fits the thread title. I can’t say that anyone I know who had heard that album said that they had ever seen the film, but I’ve never really hung out with film buffs.

I've seen the film, for what that's worth.

[JSngry]

You're the first person I know who has. 

[clifford_thornton]

I've seen it. It's borderline unwatchable but the music is great, and there's some footage of the AEC in performance and at leisure.

[Teasing the Korean]

23 minutes ago, JSngry said:

You're the first person I know who has. 

Not particularly good, and I'm one who watches a lot of European films from this period.

[Chuck Nessa]

2 hours ago, JSngry said:

You're the first person I know who has. 

I have the DVD. I couldn't get into the film either, but had to have it.