The Soundtrack Show

The music in 1984's The Karate Kid is both song score and film score, and composer Bill Conti worked with both. We discover how the songs and underscore are musically related, and discuss how main character themes are woven throughout this musically eclectic movie. The history of "You're The Best" is discussed, as is the movie's dramatic finale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

We take a close listen to the end of Home Alone, breaking down how the music scores the comedy, and when it holds back. Diagetic songs and song scores are discussed, as is the recording of a large collection of Holiday hits. We hear how Williams uses themes to complete the story, bringing it all home with a feel-good conclusion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's hear it from the top! We take a close look at various parts of Home Alone to break down the compositions, and we examine a scene with omitted music restored. The use of popular Christmas music is discussed, as is the comedic effect of orchestration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first look at John Williams' score for Home Alone, we discuss the background of the project, and how it greatly influenced the score. We listen to a few leitmotifs, and discuss how they became songs for the film, and we examine their use in the film. Broad styles of Holiday music are also discussed, as are themes of family, fear, and love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Our final episode on Superman the Movie takes a close look at the heroic music in Metropolis, as well as the unfolding villainy of Lex Luthor. The heavy use of Superman's fanfare leitmotif is discussed, and we share thoughts from John Williams about the lasting, positive impact of Christopher Reeve as Superman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part three of our look at Superman the Movie, we examine great musical moments from the film score, starting at the beginning. Multiple versions of Krypton are compared, and we listen to more of the music from Smallville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our fly-through of Superman (1978) by listening to the love theme from the film score, and discuss a fascinating behind-the-scenes story. Other themes are analyzed and discussed, including a theme for Smallville, Lex Luthor and the March of the Villains, and a theme for the green crystal of Krypton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Williams' iconic Superman score is analyzed in context of a 3-part superhero movie: science fiction in the beginning, Americana growing up in Smallville, and a full-blown comic book in Metropolis. The main themes used in Williams' score are analyzed via breaking down these three influences. The history of Superman is discussed, and behind-the-scenes stories of the making of 1978's Superman ar...

We continue our interview with Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, discussing the iterative and very personal nature of songwriting, life stories shared in the writers room, Anna's character arc, and the heart-warming struggle that Kristoff faces when trying to express his feelings. We also discuss the inspiration behind Olaf's song "When I Am Older." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez join us in the studio for a 2-part interview about the songs of Frozen II. They discuss their process of discovering the songs that drive the story, their collaboration with Disney, and share fascinating stories of their iterative songwriting adventures into the unknown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We conclude our listen to Return of the Jedi, and the whole classic Star Wars trilogy, with the Battle of Endor. Themes are discussed, as are moments where music was omitted. We explore more diagetic music with the Ewoks, and compare multiple versions of the film's ending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part 2 of our analysis, we look at roughly the first half of Return of the Jedi. We discuss each cue, its dramatic effect, and the creative process behind the final presentation. The diagetic, in-world music is also discussed, and we compare the original 1983 music to the changes that were made in the 1997 Special Edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Return of the Jedi is the third Star Wars score from John Williams, and it transforms his overall musical approach to that of an operatic cycle. We look at how familiar themes from the first film are treated, and we explore and dissect some of the major new themes that greatly enrich the classic trilogy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our listen to Morricone's groundbreaking, stylish scores for director Sergio Leone and his "Spaghetti Westerns," including a close examination of For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. The cultural impact of these movies is also discussed, and we listen to the clever sound editing and effects that made the soundscape so memorable. Learn more about your ad choices....

Ennio Morricone's iconic music for the "Spaghetti Westerns" of Sergio Leone had an enormous impact on western soundtracks... especially the violent and stylish trilogy of films that featured Clint Eastwood as "The Man With No Name." We analyze the trilogy's first film, A Fistful of Dollars, and its unique film score by Morricone. The history of how this film was made is discussed, as is the sound...

Season 3 intermission Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our second look at The Nightmare Before Christmas, we discuss the enormous contirbutions of the voice talent in this cast. We also continue looking at great moments from the film's score, discuss the orignal motion picture soundtrack album, and analyze the remaining songs from the middle of the film - all the way to it's dramatic finale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

Danny Elfman's contribution to Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas is enormous, as the composer not only wrote the score, but helped with story development by writing the songs. He even stars as the lead singer. Elfman's songs are discussed, along with stories behind this musical's development.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1989, Danny Elfman redefined the sound of superheroes on the silver screen. His theme for the Batman is explored, as well as his musical treatment of the Joker and Vicki Vale. Prince's music is also discussed, and we break down Elfman's use of rhythm, themes, and textures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Elfman's origin story is as fascinating as his music. We discuss his incredible success with Oingo Boingo, as well as his long-time collaboration with director Tim Burton. We explore the origin of his European "Doom-pah" sound, his humor, and his very first films with Burton: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, and Beetlejuice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The music of The Goonies is a unique mix of classic film scoring, 80s pop, and film nostalgia, all combined with Dave Grusin's contemporary musical sensibilities. The result is a very effective film score that breathes life, adventure, and humor into this cult classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's sit back and enjoy Casablanca and its music with this feature-length commentary. Max Steiner's wonderful music is dissected, and many behind-the-scenes stories about Casablanca's production are discussed. The commentary also touches on the fascinating stories behind the actual Warner brothers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the greatest films to ever be produced by the classic Hollywood studio system features a song that infuriated composer Max Steiner. Regardless, he produced one of the most memorable and effective film scores of his entire career. The history of Casablanca's troubled production is explored, as is the time period: Casblanca debuted shortly after the United States entered World War II. Learn m...

Our look at the music and sound of Raiders of the Lost Ark concludes with a breathtaking truck chase, scoring Indy in disguise, and the climactic opening of the Ark.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our adventures continue with Indiana Jones in Cairo, where John Williams and Steven Spielberg masterfully use film score and diegetic music to tell a story of mystery, danger, and romance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices