Mood: lyrical
Topic: "Goodbye, Ethan" (2)
Max Steiner is not a familiar name on its' own, but coupled with the opening credits on films like "Gone With the Wind," "Sergeant York," "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," "Casablanca," "King Kong," "Dark Victory," and "Jezebel" the winner of three Academy Awards and the composer of the musical score for more than 250 films is familiar to every person over the age of consent who has ever seen a movie. There is no doubt that "The Searchers," the magnificent film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, contains Frodo's favorite score.
The magic of the Internet allowed Frodo to find that the Film Music Archives at Brigham Young University had produced a CD with the score from "The Searchers." Having almost memorized certain aspects of the dialogue, Frodo had often sat before the TV screen with his eyes shut just to drink in the audio. The violins and guitars are beyond reproach, and the use of the antique spinet almost sounds like the haunting balalaika of "Doctor Zhivago." Frodo took advantage and ordered his own personal copy of the score.
Frodo traveled alone for several hours yesterday, and the magical score from "The Searchers" accompanied him. Interstate 75 has never known such glorious tones. Frodo had visited, probably for the last time, the gallant Howard, Sam's father. It was the gallant Howard who held their hands together, then stepped aside, the ultimate act of gallantry.
As the score and the film conclude, Ethan walks away from the porch into the swirling dust to the words of the "Sons of the Pioneers," who sing "A man will search his heart and soul, go searchin' way out there, his peace of mind, he knows he'll find, but where oh lord, lord where, ride away, ride away."
Let's go home Debbie.
Posted by loveysdaddyga
at 2:55 PM EDT