Chapter 9: Classical Hollywood Film Score

Study Notes

Introduction

Hollywood faced three major challenges in the 1920s: the Great Depression, technological shifts with sound films, and moral scrutiny of films and filmmakers.
By the mid-1930s, American filmmaking entered a second Golden Age, establishing the classic era for Hollywood.
Classical film scores featured extensive use of music, full orchestral colors, a melody-dominated style, and thematic unity through leitmotifs and transformation.
The orchestral score became integral to various film genres, notably horror, action, adventure, romances, and epic films.

Hays Code

Standardized censorship guidelines implemented to regulate film content.

Genres

Film music is often organized by genre due to musical clichés that shape audience expectations.
The prevalence of hybrid genres poses challenges in categorizing individual filmmakers' works.

Horror Films: King Kong

Producer Merian C. Cooper aimed for audience terror through Max Steiner's score, which utilized a full symphonic orchestra.
Steiner's music for King Kong included varied moods with raucous brass, pounding percussion, and harsh harmonies.
Two main themes represent Beauty and the Beast, with transformations reflecting story progression.
Kong's theme evolves at the film's climax to signify his death, while the Beauty theme appears as both a waltz and a high-tempo terrorized version.
Extensive musical score with thematic transformation, mirroring physical actions (Mickey Mousing).

Stingers

Accents known as stingers are used to emphasize physical impacts within the film's action.

Horror Films: The Bride of Frankenstein

The film is recognized for its expressionistic visuals and energetic score by Franz Waxman, incorporating humor in genre conventions.
Two leitmotifs represent Frankenstein and his Bride, with the Frankenstein theme showcasing dissonance and dramatic dynamics.
The creation scene is highlighted by a rich orchestral array, including the organ, celesta, harp, vibraphone, and bells.

Action and Adventure Films

Action films focus on conflict, while adventure films are characterized by exotic settings.
Action sequences are found across genres, including westerns, crime, war, and sci-fi, often involving historical figures or pirate themes from the 1930s.

Action and Adventure Films: The Adventures of Robin Hood

Erich Korngold, a prominent composer, created music for several classic films, including The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Korngold's score is noted for its length, orchestral diversity, and thematic development, recognized as a masterpiece of film music.
The score features a full orchestration that highlights brass and percussion, dynamic contrasts, and passages of rapid notes.
Key themes include the Robin Hood theme, a love theme for Robin and Marian, and a theme for King Richard.

Description

Explore the foundational aspects of classical Hollywood film scores in this quiz based on Chapter 9. Understand the challenges faced by the industry in the 1920s and the characteristics that defined the musical landscape during Hollywood's Golden Age. Test your knowledge on how music played a critical role in enhancing cinematic experiences.