September of Soundtracks: The Marx Brothers Get Cultured

In Seattle a few months ago, I came across an LP I had never seen before. It was obviously not a legitimate release but it did intrigue me as it stated that it was the original soundtrack to "A Night At The Opera". I purchased it and sent it home only to hear it a few weeks later when I cam home for a quick week off. To my surprise, it was indeed the soundtrack to the film. The entire soundtrack. Basically, it is the film on record and unlike the story records of the 70s and 80s that featured films on record, this is pretty much the entire film. The only thing that is missing, ironically, are the harp and piano solos by Harpo and Chico. All of the opera songs are here, just not the Marx Brothers' performances. I also had to speed it up as the album features a slower recording of the film. I don't know how that happened but I corrected it for your listening pleasure. Here is that album. Enjoy!

A Night At The Opera OST

BONUS!!!
Here's a re-post of a Marx Brothers album featuring sound clips from their films that was released in the 70s:


The brothers Marx were by far the greatest comedy team ever! Their mad cap humor extended from the stage and screen right into their real lives! I have so much Marx Brothers stuff that I thought I would post this as a "starter kit" for those who are unknown to the genius of these fine gentlemen! It is actually not one of my personal favorites but it does showcase their comedic talents from their films. It's "The Marx Brothers :Actual Voice Tracks From Their Movies." This came out in the 70s as part of a series of old time film comedians' voice tracks from old movies. There's much more from the Marx Brothers coming soon! Enjoy!

The Marx Brothers: Actual Voice Tracks From Their Movies

September of Soundtracks: Travolta Two-Fer

As I did a double feature of Black Hole albums yesterday, I thought I would continue with another double-feature post. Today we have the soundtracks from two John Travolta films. No, not the block busters like Grease and Saturday Night Fever. The other ones. The ones that weren't so good. For example, when Travolta and Olivia Newton John proved to be such a great team with Grease, Hollywood thought they would work well together in another film. Instead of high school kids from opposite sides of the track in the 1950s, they chose to make the second film about a failed inventor who, threatened by loan sharks, decides to hold up a bank. The teller he picks to rob is, you guessed it, played by Olivia Newton John! When she gives him deposit slips instead of cash, he tracks her down to reclaim his stolen money and the two, naturally, fall in love. Add to this, a sub-plot about angels trying to find the good in man in order to prevent God from destroying the Earth and starting over and you have the recipe for crap! In fact, many people have traced John Travolta's 11 year box office slump to this film. The one saving grace is the soundtrack. It features some kickin' Olivia Newton John numbers including, "Twist of Fate". It is also noted that Journey contributed a song to the soundtrack that was originally to be released on their landmark "Frontiers" album, only to be pulled from the album last minute making the soundtrack the only place to get the particular song. Thank god that I am posting this soundtrack as opposed to the film itself. Here it is:

Two Of A Kind OST


Just when you think Hollywood couldn't go wrong with Travolta again, along came "Staying Alive". For those of you who are still wondering, yes, it is the sequel to Saturday Night Fever! This time around Tony Manero is now living in Manhattan working as a dance instructor and as a waiter at a dance club, looking for his big break on Broadway. Tony lands a role in the chorus of a new production called "Satan's Alley" starring a wealthy English dancer Laura. Tony seduces her only to find that he is the one who has been used. His girlfriend gets sick of being second best and leaves him. Tony sees an opportunity to replace the lead male dancer and yatta yatta yatta, he gets the role, gets back his girl and "struts" at the end of the film to make the one good scene in the entire movie. 1983 was just not John Travolta's year! What makes this film even worse is that it was directed by none other than Sylvester Stallone. You would think that the guy who wrote and directed "Rocky" could make a better picture. Then again, he is responsible for Rambo (which I embarrassingly admit to being a fan of!). The best part of all of this is that when Stallone is involved with a film, so is his brother, Frank. Frank Stallone is all over this soundtrack, screaming out the hits like "Far From Over" and more! Of course, the Bee Gees make a return appearance. As with the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, they get half of the songs. Instead of a whole album of Bee Gees, for this soundtrack, you just get a side. All in all, the soundtrack is not that bad. A good addition to any collection. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Staying Alive OST

September of Soundtracks:A Rip In The Very Fabric Of Space And Time

Today we have a double feature! This time around it's a double feature of albums from the Disney Sci-Fi epic, "The Black Hole". First up is the original score written by John Barry. The ominous tones of Barry's score added to the excitement created by the amazing special effects team at Disney. If the score isn't enough for you, the second part of the "Double Feature" is the story album from the film. As with Star Wars, they released a condensed version of the film on a long playing record. Again, this was before you could run to Wal-Mart and buy the video or DVD to bring home. This was the best way to relive the excitement of the film at home. With an all star cast of Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux , Ernest Borgnine, Tom McLoughlin and the voices of Roddy McDowall and Slim Pickens, this is one great story album. Here are both of these great treasures to add to our collection. Today we enter The Black Hole! Enjoy!

The Black Hole OST
The Black Hole Story Album

September of Soundtracks: LOVE BROKERS!

OK, so a lot of people have written me and asked me about the reference I made a few posts back to Henry Winkler feeling up my friend at Toronto's FanExpo. I figured since I was going to tell the story, I might as well post a soundtrack to a Henry Winkler film. The soundtrack is "Night Shift" and it is one of Winkler's better films. It was directed by Ron Howard and featured and an up and coming comedic actor named Michael Keaton, as well a feature part played by Shelly Long. The film falls in my favorites list and in my opinion, Michael Keaton has yet to top his performance in it. The soundtrack is a quirky collection of songs from the 80s including Talk Talk by Talk Talk, Girl's Know How by Al Jarreau, Night Shift by Quarterflash and a beautiful ballad sung by Rod Stewart by the name of "That's What Friends Are For". Most people remember Dione Warwick's horrendous version that was the big hit, but I have always loved this version that went by without too much fanfare. They are all here for your enjoyment! Now, let's all sit down and I'll tell you the tale of how the Fonz grabbed a boob! I was at the Expo with two friends from Avenue Q, Rob and Maggie (who happen to be engaged to each other). We were waiting on line to meet Henry Winkler. As we were doing this, Henry, unlike all of the other celebs, was walking up and down the line saying hello to everyone and thanking them for their patience. A class act! As he passed by us, he looked at Maggie and said "How did you get to be so beautiful?" just like you would expect him to say it. When we got to the front and got to meet him, we told him we were with Avenue Q to which he replied, "I love that show. I really love that show" Then he started to sing "It Sucks To Be Me" and stated that his favorite thing in the show was the person that runs the second hand for the puppets. We told him that was what Maggie did and he hugged her and said "I love that I got to meet the second hand. Let's get a picture!" So, we posed for the picture. It was Me, Henry Winkler, Maggie and Rob all in a line. We thanked him and as we were walking away Maggie whispered to us "Henry Winkler just totally felt me up." We, of course, were hesitant to believe her. "Look at the picture!" she said. Sure enough, there was the proof. We were all smiling with our arms around each other and there, cupping Maggie's left breast, was the same hand that had started the jukebox back on Happy Days! Enjoy the soundtrack!

Night Shift OST

September of Soundtracks: Kaptain Kool is Cool! (re-post)

I thought I would return to the world of television soundtracks with two re-posts from 2006.


Today I am posting an awesome super groovy album from the Kaptain Kool & The Kongs Saturday Morning Show! I've owned this album from the day it came out and absolutely love it! It's another story record that features the actual show on record. This album features comedy bits from Kaptain Kool and the Kongs along with episodes of Wonderbug, Magic Mongo and Bigfoot and Wildboy. This is great for reliving those glorious days of Saturday mornings of yesteryear! Enjoy!

Kaptain Kool And The Kongs Story Record


Here is the Kaptain Kool and The Kongs album that features actual music as oppossed to the story album I posted above. It's you typical 70s bubblegum but it's pretty darn cool! Here it is your your enjoyment!

Kaptain Kool And The Kongs Music Album

September of Soundtracks: We Eat Eggs and Spamalot!

In case you live under a rock and haven't been paying any attention to pop culture for the past few years, there is a smash Broadway musical called "Spamalot" that is based on the film, "Monty Python and The Holy Grail". I really doubt that there are many people who don't know about the movie. In fact, it is considered to be the best Monty Python film of them all. It is an amazing comedic romp and the soundtrack album is more of an addendum to the film rather than a soundtrack album. It features the songs from the film as well as selected scenes (including the great "I Fart In Your General Direction"). But what makes the album all the more interesting is the added comedy skits that were recorded just for the record. It's almost like the bonus material that comes along on a DVD that wasn't there to begin with but was added just for the DVD release. The big difference being that this "bonus material" is actually worth it. Complete your enjoyment of "Monty Phython and The Holy Grail" by listening to this album!

The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail

September of Soundtracks: It's Only A Paper Moon

Seeing as how Ryan O'Neil has been making headlines this past week, I thought I would post the soundtrack to one of his great films, "Paper Moon". This film is best remembered as the introduction of Tatum O'Neil into the world of film. Her portrayal of "Addie Loggins" won her an academy award for best supporting actress making her the youngest actor ever to receive an oscar. In fact, she actually beat out her co-star, Madeline Kahn, for the award! The film is actually based on a book called "Addie Pray" which was later changed to "Paper Moon" after the film came out. Both are excellent. What's even more excellent is the collection of depression era music used for the soundtrack! Here it is for you now. Enjoy!

Paper Moon OST

September of Soundtracks: "I Was Runner Up" OR The Monkees Meet Quincy Jones

Back when I was in high school, I was drafted into the Drama Club by my chorus teacher for a part in a play called "Cactus Flower". The part was "Igor Sullivan" who happens to be the neighbor of a girl who attempts suicide because she is in love with a dentist who is married. The plot thickens!!! Anyway, after all of this suicide stuff, the show turns out to be a comedy. The scene that I always remember the most was when Toni (the girl who tried to kill herself) has her dentist lover over and Igor comes over to borrow some soap dressed only in a towel. Now, back in high school, I weighed 120 pounds soaking wet. If I took a deep breath you could count my ribs. I was not a very filled out male. So, you have this semi-emaciated teenager walking into a scene wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. It gets better. Since it was high school and there was no budget for costumes and such, we had to supply our own. The towel I was wearing came from our family's linen closet. It was a beach towel that said "Big Daddy". Being the ham that I am, I naturally put the "Big Daddy" directly over my crotch. When I came into the room, the Dentist looked at me and said "Mr America, I presume?!" to which Igor replies, "I was runner up." At this point, I proceeded to flex my non-existent muscles and went one step further by kissing my non-existent "guns". It got the biggest laugh of the show and for the next few weeks, the lunch ladies all referred to me as "Big Daddy".

Some time after that, I happened to catch the film version of the play on television. It was Goldie Hawn's first feature film (an oscar winning role I might add) and it also starred Walter Matthau as the Dentist and Ingrid Bergman as the Dentist's wife. (actually, he dentist isn't really married. He tells Toni that to avoid commitment!) One thing that I noticed about the background music in the film was that it featured instrumental versions of songs recorded by none other than the Monkees. The songs, "I'm A Believer" and "She Hangs Out" are prominently featured throughout the film. For years I have looked for the soundtrack in hopes that those would be on it. It wasn't long ago that I found this album and sure enough, there they were, alongside some original Quincy Jones songs and the Boyce and Hart hit, "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight". Interesting! Anyway, here is that soundtrack to that film that was based on the play that I made my acting debut in. Here is Cactus Flower. Enjoy!

Cactus Flower OST

September of Soundtracks: The Greatest Adventure

When I was a kid, I was introduced to the works of J.R. Tolkien through an animated television special called "The Hobbit". It was a Rankin/Bass production and it featured a very impressive cast consisting of Orson Bean as Bilbo Baggins, John Houston as Gandalf, Hans Conreid as Thorin, Brother Theodore as Gollum and Richard Boone as Smaug the Dragon. There is also an appearance by the great Paul Frees as one of the trolls. It premiered on November 27 and as a result, came just after I had sent in my Christmas list with my letter to Santa. One day, at my grandmother's I was telling my dad that I had forgotten to put something on my list and that I wished that I could add it so that Santa would know that I wanted it. My dad told me we could and he promptly picked up the phone and dialed a number. He told whoever was on the other end that he had an addition to a Christmas list. I was amazed and awestruck. My dad had the direct phone number to Santa's workshop! When he asked what it was, I shouted out "The record from the Hobbit". He restated this over the phone and then said thank you and hung up. A month later, under the Christmas tree was that album! It was a story album that featured the television special on record! I share that record with you now! Here is "The Hobbit". Enjoy!

The Hobbit

September of Soundtracks: Enter Detectives Starsky and Hutchinson

Don't go getting your knickers in a twist and think that I am bringing you the soundtrack to the movie version of "Starsky and Hutch". Quite frankly, I could care less about that film. No, today I bring you the soundtrack to the original television series from the 70s. I don't remember where I got this. It must have been a while ago. It was on a data disc with a whole bunch of soundtracks on it and it was simply labeled "S&H". I am not sure if the music is from one specific episode of the series or is a collection of music from the show. There is one song entitled, "A Coffin For Starsky" which was the title of an episode so if this is from one specific episode, it would probably be that one. If there is anyone who knows for sure, let me know. Regardless, it still kicks major booty. Here it is for you now. Enjoy!

Starsky and Hutch Television Soundtrack

BONUS:

My dad loved Starsky and Hutch just as much as I did and even owned two of David Soul's albums, which I am proud to have inherited. Here is David Soul (Hutch) singing his heart out on his first album, "David Soul" and the follow up, "Playing To An Audience of One"! Enjoy!

David Soul LP
Playing To An Audience of One

September of Soundtracks: Adventures in The 25th Century

A few weeks ago, when I was in Canada with Avenue Q, they had their version of Comicon called "FanExpo". It was pretty run of the mill and nowhere near what Comicon is. But it did have some cool celebrities there. In addition to meeting super hot Shawnee Smyth, my friend, Maggie getting felt up by Henry Winkler and conversing about theater with Brent Spiner, we also got to meet Edward James Olmos. We started to talk to Edward about Battlestar but he was more interested to talk about the various theaters we had been in and the woman at his side was very ecstatic to meet people from Avenue Q! As we talked to her her, I thought to myself, "She looks just like Wilma Deering, aka, Erin Gray". So I said to her, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Erin Gray?". She responded very quickly with "I am Erin Gray and I've been waiting all day for someone to say that!" Naturally I took a picture with her and as far as I was concerned, my day was made! You're probably thinking, "That's all well and good Dartman, but how does that affect the September of Soundtracks?" That one's really a no brainer! Today's soundtrack sharity is none other than the soundtrack to "Buck Rogers"! When this was released, it was hot on the heels of Battlestar Galactica and as they had done with the original two-hour pilot for Battlestar, the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released theatrically several months before the series aired. I remember there was a huge tie-in with one of the fast food places (McDonald's or Burger King - can't remember which) because they were giving out posters from the film. This soundtrack is taken from that feature-length pilot. Here it is for you, all the way from 1979! Enjoy!

Buck Rogers In The 25th Century OST

September of Soundtracks: Mel Brooks Double Feature

One of the most downloaded sharities on The World of Wonder is, without a doubt, "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits". I posted it a little over a year ago and since then it has been downloaded over 600 times! It has held the position of number two of the top ten list for a good ten months! That album was a collection of songs from the films, "The Producers", "The Twelve Chairs", "Young Frankenstein", "Silent Movie", "Blazing Saddles" and "High Anxiety". Since then, I have been the most fortunate purchaser of two complete soundtracks of Mel Brooks' films. First up is the complete soundtrack to "Silent Movie". Since a majority of the film was music (the only one who said anything in the film was Marcel Marceau), the soundtrack is a must have! And it delivers everything you ever wanted from the film and then some! Along with that is the soundtrack to "To Be Or Not To Be". This was Mel's remake of the 1942 Jack Benny film about the Nazis and an acting troupe of Polish, Jewish and Gay actors and actresses. Mel's version is considered to be a gigantic improvement on the original and has become a classic. The soundtrack features the music, the vocal performances from the film and select sections of dialogue. Simply put, it's great! Here for you now are both of these great albums. Enjoy!

Silent Movie OST
To Be Or Not To Be OST

Bonus:
For those of you who may have missed it, here is the original post for "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits"!


When I was in college and working at the campus radio station, they had a record that, in my opinion, was truly great. From the front cover, it looked like the original soundtrack to Mel Brooks' film, "High Anxiety". But when you turned it over, you realised that it was a collection of songs from all of his films up to High Anxiety. In fact, the spine of the album reads "Mel Brooks' Greatest Hits Featuring The Fabulous Film Scores of John Morris." Interesting packaging. Anyway, it was soon after finding that at the station that I went home for Christmas break. At the local record store, what do I find in the discount bin but a sealed copy of that same album. I present it to you now. Featuring songs from The Producers, The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles (yes, "I'm Tired" is here), Young Frankenstein (the complete "Puttin' On The Ritz"), Silent Movie and High Anxiety! Enjoy!

Part 1
Part 2

September of Soundtracks: The Whole Buggin' Ever Lovin' Street

Today's post is not an actual soundtrack but rather an interpretation of a soundtrack. West Side Story, in my opinion, is the greatest musical work of the twentieth century. I've played the show twice, seen the movie at least a hundred times and listened to the original soundtrack album about five times that. Whenever someone does a "songs from West Side Story" album, I usually listen to it and deem it no where near the soundtrack. The only one that ever caught my ear was one by a punk band named Schlong. Schlong first came into being around 1988. The band performed in the Oakland County area often, mostly at warehouse parties under various names. The name Schlong did not appear until sometime later, taken from the name of a cat the band saw often. In 1996, they released their one and only record, "Punk Side Story", a drunken punk rock version of West Side Story. Schlong basically got together with a whole bunch of their friends and decided to record a drunken, spastic version of West Side Story in its entirety. The results are just hysterical, with not one stone left unturned. Schlong and company retell this modern day Romeo and Juliet story, only with more of an absurd twist. Everything from their sloppy rendition of the "Jet Song" to the male/female dual screaming of "Tonight" to "I Feel Pretty," which is led by an off key baritone and screechy vocals, can all be found here. But the highlight is "Dance at the Gym," which jumps from sloppy speed metal to danceable ska to country to a slow-dance love ballad. This deserves a listen by everyone who is a fan of West Side Story. Which is why I present it to you today. Here is "Punk Side Story". Enjoy!

Schlong-Punk Side Story

September of Soundtracks: Close Imitations of The Third Kind

After seeing Close Encounters of The Third Kind at the movies when I was a kid, I, like everyone else in the world, could not get that music out of my head. I wanted the soundtrack so badly that when we went to the department store one day, I begged and pleaded with my dad to get the soundtrack. What I didn't know was that he was getting it for himself. To make me feel better and to keep his spending a little lower, he bought me what he deemed as the "kids version" of the soundtrack. An album called "Music From Close Encounters" by the Electric Moog Orchestra. For the most part, the music is very similar if you ignore the fact that the original music was recorded on an ARP and this album features the Moog. However, it's the two selections on the album that are not from the John Williams penned score but seem to be original pieces by "The Electric Moog Orchestra" that really make this album different. In fact, if they had left these selections off, it would have been a giant bonus. For the rest of my life as owner of this album, I have referred to those two selections as "The Farting Symphonies". You'll understand why when you listen to "Music From Close Encounters" by The Electric Moog Orchestra. Enjoy!

Music From Close Encounters-The Electric Moog Orchestra

September of Soundtracks: Take A Trip On The Holiday Road

Tuesday we posted the soundtrack to Foul Play which was Chevy Chase's first feature film as a lead actor. He followed that with 1980's "Caddyshack" and then with 1981's "Modern Problems". But it was a film from 1983 that would be the biggest and most loved film of his career. Of course I am talking about "National Lampoon's Vacation". Since the original, it has spawned four sequels (if you count the lame made for TV film, Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure). I have always had a place in my heart for this film in that Clark Griswald reminds me so much of my dad. In fact, in my first year at college, we were watching it and I left to call my dad and tell him that I was proud to have Clark Griswald as my father! He got a good laugh out of it. A while ago, a friend sent me a huge file containing literally all of the music to the film. I pass that on to you now. Here is the gigantic and (I think) complete soundtrack to "National Lampoon's Vacation". Enjoy!

Vacation OST
Vacation Part 2

September of Soundtracks: A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place

Since we're on a roll with Burt Reynolds' soundtracks, I thought why not post the soundtrack from the film version of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". For all intense purposes, the film is horrible. It just did not transcend well to the screen. At least not the way they made it back in 1982. In addition to Burt as the sheriff, there's the great Dolly Parton as Miss Mona and Dom Deluise as Melvin P. Thorpe. The soundtrack boasts the same songs as in the stage version with the addition of two new original songs by Dolly: "Sneakin' Around" and "I Will Always Love You". Dolly's original version of I Will Always Love You blows away that god awful remake by Whitney Houston. Anyway, as bad as the film is, how can you go wrong with the soundtrack? Especially with Burt Reynolds singing! You be the judge when you listen to "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". Enjoy!

The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas OST

September of Soundtracks: Burt Reynolds Drives Across The Country

Following up with yesterday's post of "Smokey and the Bandit", I thought it only fitting that we present another Burt Reynolds car oriented film soundtrack. This time around it's the soundtrack to that lovable classic, "The Cannonball Run". This movie rules! Period. If you've never seen, go do it right now. It is so great in so many ways! First, Burt Reynolds and Dom Deluise head an all-star cast that includes Roger Moore, Sammy Davis, JR, Dean Martin, Jamie Farr, Adrienne Barbeau and Farrah Fawcett (not to mention Mel Tillis and Terry Bradshaw!) Then you have the American film premiere of Jackie Chan, followed by the great lines (You're small. S-M-all), fast cars, and the introduction of the blooper real while the credits roll. (I don't know about you, but I can watch Burt slap Dom Deluise a thousand times and still think it's funny!) The soundtrack just adds to it! Here it is! Enjoy!

The Cannonball Run OST

September of Soundtracks: American Hot Wax (Re-Post)

Now that Elvis month is over, here at the World of Wonder we are offering you an entire September of nothing but soundtracks and soundtrack related items! This is due to the response to the poll on the right hand side of the blog asking you what your favorite type of post was. It was a close call between bootlegs and soundtracks, but soundtracks won out. And this month you get what you asked for. (incidentally, keep on the look out for the latest poll). With Elvis month, we had a post for every single day in August. I can't guarantee that the same will hold true for this month but I will certainly give it my best try. For the first "September of Soundtracks" post, I thought that I would make a smooth transition from the world of Elvis to the world of soundtracks with a re-post of the 1978 "American Hot Wax" soundtrack. The film was loosely based on the introduction of Rock And Roll and starred Tim McIntire as the great DJ Alan Freed, as well as Fran Drescher, Melanie Chartoff and Jay Leno in supporting roles, with SNL alum, Laraine Newman in a role based on Carole King. The highlight of the movie was a recreation of a 1959 "Alan Freed Rock N' Roll Show" which featured performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. During a TV interview at the time just after this film was released, Chuck Berry said he handled his own wardrobe, and it was all authentic. He still had an entire closet full of the suits he wore while touring during the time frame portrayed in the film, so what he wears in the film is what he wore on stage during the 1950s. Though it didn't fare too well at the box office, it has become a small cult favorite and has yet to be released for home video in any format. Here is the soundtrack which features not only the original hits from the fifties, but the recreation of the Rock N' Roll show as well! Enjoy!

Part 1
Part 2