13 Scores of Halloween - Day 4

There's a saying credited to Andre Previn that states something to the effect of more bad movies have been saved by their music than people have been saved by paramedics. A number of composers have made bad films watchable with their music (the late, great Jerry Goldsmith is one example), and, with a few exceptions, some have had careers full of bad movies blessed with fine scores. Richard Band is one such composer. His scores are consistently exciting and engaging, even when the films are not.

Mutant (or, Night Shadows) chronicles two brothers who end up stranded in a small town. Unfortunately, a toxic waste plant lies on the outskirts of town and the dumping has turned the residents blue. Not sad blue, but blue blue; toilet bowl blue. Oh, and they also crave human flesh. I've never seen it, but one of the film's producers was Edward L. Montoro, the name in quality horror (Beyond the Door, The Dark, The Great White).

Band's score is appropriately eerie, utilizing a creepy piano motif that pops up throughout. In addition to the piano, electronics bubble under the surface, augmenting the 'what the hell is going on?' feel of the film. Much of the scoring for the affected townspeople is based around quick strings and pounding horns, as in "Escape", "The Missing Blood" and "Mutant Attack". Another melody on descending strings, which seems to represent a glimmer of hope in the situation, appears in "Josh and Holly" and the "End Credits".

"At the Clinic" starts off with a heroic, militaristic (albeit painfully brief) theme of staccato strings and snare drums that is just fantastic. "Billy Gets It"/"Josh and Holly Escape", as one can hear in this clip (doesn't the film look great?), the piano motif gives way to warm strings and the hope melody, before the pounding 'mutant' music takes over.

Intrada released the soundtrack a long time ago. Some copies might still be available at Amazon.com. They could be a little pricey, but it beats sitting through the film, right?

Tomorrow: The ultimate weight-loss plan.