No matter your age, you have definitely heard a piece of music by Elmer Bernstein if you watch anything on TV or movies. He’s known for the soundtracks to things like “The Great Escape” and “Magnificent Seven” as well as pieces like Bill Murray’s “Stripes’ and the comedy classic “Airplane!” This double cd set covers a lot of his most famous pieces from his early years, and it’s a wondrous way to sit, listen and eat popcorn.
Some of these themes are going to be like the soundtrack of your childhood if you’re a certain age, such as the music from “To Kill A Mockingbird” or “The Rat Race”. If you smoked cigarettes, you’ll immediately recognize “The Magnificent Seven” as the Marlboro tobacco company used it for their TV commercials. Other highlights include the noir classics ‘Sudden Fear” and “The Sweet Smell of Success”, Moses’ “The Ten Commandments” and Frank Sinatra’s jazzy “The Man With The Golden Arm” while more obscure pieces like “Summer and Smoke” and “Radio Hysteria” show impressive composition. A great double feature for the whole family.