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.