Licensing

Rhino/Turner Release King Kong Soundtrack. The soundtrack for Willis O'Brien's stop-motion masterpiece, King Kong, is being released by Turner Classic Movies Music/Rhino Movie Music. Composed by Max Steiner, the collection includes music cues from the 1933 RKO film's most memorable moments, featuring a nearly 25-minute suite consisting of previously unreleased material. The liner notes includes an introduction by Danny Elfman (of the band, Oingo Boingo, and composer of many soundtracks, including Edward Scissorhands, Batman, And Sleepy Hollow), and notes by author and film historian Rudy Behlmer (Memo From David O. Selznick). Presented in two parts, part one represents a condensed version of director Merian C. Cooper's classic film and includes dialogue, sound effects and Steiner's landmark score. Part two represents all of the music from King Kong that survives in isolated fashion. Presented as a symphonic suite, selections were taken from a variety of source material including promotional 78-rpm records that were pressed at the time of production and other cues that existed on nitrate film in the form of alternate takes and portions of takes. King Kong will be available August 31, 1999 for a suggested list of US$16.98.

Trendmasters Gets Cartoon Network License. Warner Bros. Consumer Products has awarded Trendmasters, Inc., a toy designer and manufacturer, the master toy license for Cartoon Network's animated series including The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory and Cow & Chicken. In addition, Trendmasters has also secured the master toy rights for Cartoon Network's classic characters including Yogi Bear and Snagglepuss. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Trendmasters, Inc. has the rights to produce toy related merchandise including toy figurines, play sets, detailed plush items, gift-boxed collectibles and crafts as well as a wide variety of toy fashion accessories including bags, purses, hairpieces, sunglasses and makeup with carrying cases. The deal also includes electronic items such as key rings and walkie-talkies. Founded in 1989 by Co-CEOs, J. Russell Hornsby and Leo J. Hauser, Trendmasters, Inc., major toy licensees, in addition to Cartoon Network, include Godzilla, Lost In Space, Austin Powers, Coca-Cola, M&M's, Teletubbies, South Park, Voltron, and The Iron Giant.