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Hammett1982CD: Prometheus PCR 506
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CD: Silva SILCD1662
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The MovieDashell Hammett had been a gumshoe before tuberculosis forced him to change careers, whereupon he became one of the most famous american writers of the 20th century. He's one of the pioneers and masters of "hardboiled" fiction—a genre typically about tough characters on both sides of the law. This isn't one of his stories—it's a fictional story designed as if Hammett (Frederick Forest) were still a detective. A friend (Peter Boyle) asks for his help in locating a missing prostitute in San Francisco's Chinatown. I never cared much for hard-boiled private-eye stuff (though I do like Raymond Chandler). It the movie ever comes on tv, I'll give it a shot. |
The MusicI was expecting something along the lines of Body Heat—the hackneyed heavy sax jazz/blues wail that appears whenever anyone in the movies puts on trenchcoat and a snap-brimmed hat. Barry went with the small jazz combo sound, but more heavily on piano, evocative of late nights in smoky bars, talking through a booze-induced haze. The piano is evident throughout—sometimes lively and tinkly, sometimes dark and menacing. This is one of his better scores, and it's surprising to me that it took so long to be released. |
Release NotesThe soundtrack wasn't available until around 2000, when Prometheus released it as a limited edition, numbered CD. Silva Screen UK released it in July 2023 with 25 tracks (seven more than the Prometheus edition). I haven't heard it yet so I can't compare. As I type this (June 2023) it's available from Silva's UK site, but is not yet on Silva's USA site. The difference is the cost of international shipping. |