Murder in Space (Arthur B. Rubinstein)

 

An outer space mission hits a snag when one of the crew members is killed, which could potentially create an international incident between the United States and the Soviet Union. Made-for-cable mystery has an interesting premise, but squanders it with a dull execution. Some good actors go to waste (and the less said about Martin Balsam's Russian accent, the better).

However, Arthur B. Rubinstein provided an exciting score based on a properly sinister four-note melody for brass.

Murder in Space

composed & conducted

by

Arthur B. Rubinstein

1. Roll Call (Main Titles) 2.03

2. Breaking News 1.02

3. Making Contact 1.02

4. Dismissed 0.22

5. The Lab 1.39

6. Friction 0.36

7. Shower Talk 0.58

8. Disrobing/Late Call 1.55

9. Autopsy in Space 2.10

10. Inconclusive 0.45

11. Handle It! 0.21

12. Bad News 0.44

13. Probably a Tumor 0.52

14. Guy vs. Dominica 0.53

15. Something to Hide? 1.39

16. Confidential 0.25

17. Moscow Morning 0.29

18. Hair Follicles 0.36

19. Everybody's a Suspect 1.18

20. Conspirators 1.01

21. Cooper Spills 0.49

22. The List 0.37

23. Divorce Papers 1.29

24. Guy Collapses 1.25

25. Demands 0.38

26. New Intel/Kurt is Dead 1.50

27. Exact Words 0.43

28. Q and A/The Gun 3.17

29. Escape Pod 1.15

30. Countdown 0.35

31. Coming Home 0.26

32. The Landing 0.45

33. Under Arrest 0.44

34. Picking Up the Pieces 1.00

35. Kurt's Secrets 1.27

36. Flashback 0.18

37. What About Guy? 1.04

38. Nothing Left 0.12

39. Neutralized 0.43

40. Russian Roulette 1.25

41. Last Call (End Titles) 1.44

Here's a sample:

The Man in the Brown Suit (Arthur B. Rubinstein)

 

An American tourist (Stephanie Zimbalist), looking for some excitement in her life, decides to extend her stay abroad, only to get wrapped up in a murder mystery. Somewhat cheesy, but entertaining made-for-TV movie, loosely based on an Agatha Christie novel (so much so that the book's actual protagonist - Miss Marple - is nowhere to be found).

Arthur B. Rubinstein's score is rich in flavor, ably reflecting the story's international travels, and buoyed by a swaying, four-note melody.

The Man in the Brown Suit
composed & conducted
by
Arthur B. Rubinstein

1. Ride Through Cairo (Murder!) 1.12
2. The Man in Blue 1.59
3. Dead Girl from the Picture 0.20
4. Breaking News 0.43
5. Pictures at Sea 0.36
6. Sir Eustace 1.05
7. Eustace Meets Race 0.18
8. Holding Out for a Hero 0.12
9. New Friends 0.34
10. Itinerary 1.34
11. Looking for a Man 1.28
12. Ransacked/Suspect List 3.35
13. Party source 1.24
14. Dance source 0.27
15. Prize source/Secret Meeting 1.10
16. Suzie in Danger 0.20
17. No Stewardesses 0.59
18. Expensive Development 0.48
19. The Show Must Go On 0.31
20. Starboard source/Overboard 0.34
21. Looking for Diamonds 0.48
22. Welcome to Mombasa 0.20
23. Diamonds Found/Bazaar source/Captured 2.28
24. Digging to Freedom 2.03
25. The Ledge 1.08
26. Escape! 0.30
27. Bazaar Chase 0.46
28. New Secretary 0.46
29. The Oasis 1.03
30. The Note 0.58
31. Water Falls 0.33
32. To the Rescue 0.48
33. Annie and Harry 1.48
34. Garden of Eden 0.24
35. No Peeking 0.38
36. The Race is Over 0.28
37. A Long Trip 0.40
38. Evil Eye 0.16

39. The Colonel 2.45

40. Anita's Demise 1.16

41. The Ol' Switcheroo 1.01
42. Showdown 1.09
43. Under Arrest 1.01
44. Who is Harry? 0.23
45. Lord and Lady 0.46
46. End Credits 1.00

Secrets (Arthur B. Rubinstein)

The incidents faced by the characters on the new soap opera "Manhattan" pale in comparison to those of the actors playing them. I've never read a Danielle Steel novel in my life, but given this made-for-TV drama adapted from one of her books, maybe there's a reason for her success. Cliched as all get-out, but undeniably compelling. Plus, Christopher Plummer can sell pretty much anything.

Arthur B. Rubinstein's score features some neat passages for the many dramatic scenes as well as a bustling main theme for the show-within-a-show.

Secrets

composed & conducted

by

Arthur B. Rubinstein

1. Main Title 2.58
2. "Read this." 0.29
3. Going Home 0.53
4. Phone Call 0.44
5. Blackmail 0.49
6. Script Coverage 0.56
7. Bad Love/Candlelight source 2.40
8. "Thank you...for everything." 0.27
9. Jane Says Yes 0.39
10. Mel Visits Sabina 1.29
11. The Airport 0.19
12. "Sorry to see you go." 0.40
13. House Rules 0.47
14. Sandy's New Friends/Sabina on the Phone 1.07
15. "I'm with you now."/Spousal Abuse 1.44
16. Jane Leaves/Location Shooting 2.23
17. Billy Confronts Gabby 0.34
18. Goodnight Kiss/Christmas 1.36
19. Party source 3.14
20. Dance source 2.01
21. Jane x Zack 1.16
22. Gabby Covers for Billy 0.34
23. Traumatized Jane 0.56
24. Gabby Consoles Billy 1.21
25. "Manhattan" Opening Credits/Goodnight All 1.57
26. Private Investigator 0.47
27. Zack Rescued 1.05
28. Running Lives 1.43
29. To the Hospital 1.07
30. ICU 0.55
31. That's a Wrap 1.08
32. Dan Has a Gun 1.30
33. Alexa Learns the Truth 0.37
34. The Verdict 1.42
35. "Marry me." 1.13
36. End Credits 0.46

Don't Go to Sleep (Dominic Frontiere)

Recovering from an unfortunate incident, a family moves into a new home, little realizing that the ghosts of the past don't stay buried. Made-for-TV horror movies of the 70s and 80s are a funny thing. For every Dark Night of the Scarecrow that retains the power to enthrall its audience, you get four or five movies like This House Possessed (or the title in question) that flail about like a headless chicken. If you must bother with a 1982 movie about a family trying to survive a ghost attack, Poltergeist is right damn there! (And it also has Oliver Robins as one of the children.)

However, Dominic Frontiere provided a nicely creepy score, hinting at what the film should've been.

Don't Go to Sleep

composed & conducted

by

Dominic Frontiere

1. Main Title 1.40
2. Fake Spider 0.14
3. The Moving Van 0.43
4. View from the Window 0.29
5. Pictures/Fiery Flashback 1.46
6. Restless Night 1.33
7. Bed on Fire 0.54
8. Calming Mary 1.02
9. Late Call 1.09
10. Kevin Explores 0.49
11. "There's my girl." 0.32
12. "Go away!" 1.18
13. The Visitor 1.27
14. Dainty Garland 0.48
15. The Promise 2.09
16. Turning Mary 1.08
17. One for the Road 2.11
18. Scaly Visitor 2.13
19. Mourning Bernice 1.14
20. Jennifer Plots 0.52
21. "She's dead, Dr. Cole." 0.11
22. Another Peaceful Day 0.20
23. Taking the Fall 2.34
24. The Funeral 0.55
25. What Does Ed Eat? 0.45
26. Having it Out 2.41
27. Moving Plans 0.42
28. Mind Screw 1.56
29. Goodnight Kisses 0.52
30. Handling Things Better 0.25
31. Daddy, then Mommy 5.02
32. Hospital Stay 0.12
33. Released? 1.31
34. "Remember that night."/Finale 8.58
35. End Title 0.40

Here's a sample:

The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space (Shirley Walker)

The peaceful rebels of the planet Pangea are under siege by the vicious Lord Vox (Ron Perlman) and they could use a hero. Unfortunately, the best they can do is an actor (Daniel Riordan) best known to TV audiences as Captain Zoom. Not as well known as the later Galaxy Quest, but just as entertaining, with amusing lines and a game cast.

Shirley Walker provides some exciting action cues as well as quieter moments that, surprisingly, aren't diminished by the budget-dictated inclusion of electronics. Topping it off is an appropriately rousing main theme put through a number of permutations, from the amusingly cheesy organ version for the TV scenes to a particularly lovely rendition in "Stargazing".

The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space

composed & conducted

by

Shirley Walker

1. Main Titles/Night Raid 3.55
2. Sagan's Speech 0.24
3. Bailey's Invention 0:46
4. Live Broadcast 1.44
5. Dinner with Lord Vox 2.05
6. Tyra's Will is Strong/Chocko-Socko/Secret Message 2.27
7. The Transporter 0.20
8. Rough Greeting/High Priestess Vesper 2.03
9. Vesper's Vision 0.53
10. "...and our faith."/Sea Monster 1.49
11. Captain Zoom Captured 0.24
12. Zoom Meets Vox 0.35
13. Tyra Escapes/More Torture 0.54
14. Vesper's Chambers 0.42
15. The Black Hole Club 0.34
16. Vesper Loses Her Powers/Zoom Escapes 1.24
17. Ship Battle 2.56
18. Shot Down 0.18
19. Sea Monster Returns 0.52
20. Hero's Welcome 0.38
21. Stargazing/A New Face 1.36
22. Sagan Reassures Tyra 2.18
23. Back on Vox's Ship 0.28
24. Fake Vision 1.10
25. Bombing the Rebel Camp 0.27
26. Bad News 0.16
27. Shell Game 0.57
28. Crash Landing 0.43
29. Zoom Strikes Out/Morning 1.10
30. Invisible Attack? 0.43
31. Underground Assault 0.15
32. Fixing the Ship 0.14
33. Part-Time Hero 1.36
34. The Mutants 1.11
35. Caring for Simulus 0.27
36. Zoom vs. Simulus 3.13
37. The Docks 0.36
38. The Prophecy 2.50
39. Rock Slide 0.56
40. Calming Prayer 0.29
41. The Temple 0.57
42. Big Fight/Vesper's Sacrifice 1.53
43. Emperor Vox's Decision 0.55
44. Vox Chooses...Poorly 2.31
45. Tribal Dance/A Way Home 2.13
46. Captain Zoom's Destiny 0.49
47. Chocko-Socko (End Credits) 2.56

Bride of Boogedy (John Addison)

While preparing for the town's big Halloween celebration, the Davises find that their ghost problem hasn't quite gone away. Eugene Levy is a welcome addition as a jealous store owner, but this is just more of the same.

John Addison's music, however, is just as engaging as ever. (I have a feeling that Intrada just may come through with these scores.)

Bride of Boogedy

composed & conducted

by

John Addison

1. Main Title 0.45
2. Spooky House 0.23
3. 'Tis Some Visitor 0.52
4. Family Haunting 1.18
5. The Warning 0.14
6. Not the Wind 0.20
7. House of Gags 1.49
8. Crystal Ball 1.01
9. Boogedy Calls Jen 0.33
10. Second Call 0.24
11. Boys Investigate 4.07
12. The Statue 0.52
13. Here Lies Boogedy 0.33
14. The Spirits Are About 1.08
15. The Seance 1.02
16. Paging Mr. Boogedy 3.06
17. Errand Boy 0.54
18. Sleep Floating 0.47
19. New Costume 0.44
20. Come to Me 1.11
21. Mid-Air Greeting 0.49
22. Ghost to Ghost 1.03
23. Someone to Control 0.26
24. Up and About 1.39
25. Opening the Door 1.12
26. Boogedy Returns 1.00
27. Going Ape 1.29
28. Lynch's Promise 0.32
29. Lucy Fest 2.31
30. It's Him! 0.20
31. Boogedy Takes Lynch 0.34
32. Wax Figures Come Alive 2.10
33. Cloak and Stagger/Lucy Fest 2 2:50
34. Bride of Boogedy 1.08
35. Calling Jonathan 1.48
36. Vanquished 1.27
37. One Last Gag/End Title 1.26

Mr. Boogedy (John Addison)

The Davis family moves to a new home, only to find themselves haunted by a ghost. Nostalgia's a funny thing: the way it can delude one into thinking that a movie from their past can still hold the same chills and thrills from that era. I only caught this a couple years ago, so I wouldn't know.

John Addison's score is quite charming, though; very much of a piece with his work from that era (a little "Amazing Stories" here, some Strange Invaders there...).

Mr. Boogedy

composed & conducted

by

John Addison

1. Main Title 1.04
2. This is Home 1.27
3. Shadowy Figure 0.16
4. Neil's Warning 1.07
5. Settling In 3.20
6. Where's the Bear? 0.24
7. Gesundheit 1.24
8. 'Slimy Footprints' 0.21
9. Dancing Toaster 0.27
10. Historical Society 0.28
11. History Lesson 0.46
12. The Widow Marion 0.39
13. Hanover's Deal 0.41
14. Boogedy Blows 1.17
15. Killer Ape? 0.45
16. Ghosts on the Move 0.32
17. Bad Time 0.22
18. Midnight Snack 0.45
19. Marion Visits 1.35
20. Ghostbluffers 2.26
21. Jonathan 1.11
22. Returning the Bear 0.25
23. He's Coming 1.09
24. A Real Ghost! 0.18
25. Reunited 1.10
26. End Credits 0.40

Gridlock (Arthur B. Rubinstein)

Comical circumstances result in a massive traffic jam on Los Angeles freeways and a number of stranded travelers try to make the best of it. There's a scene where port-a-johns are airlifted onto the roads while "Ride of the Valkyries" plays. If that sounds like comedy gold, you might enjoy this made-for-TV movie loaded with familiar faces. If not...I don't know what to tell you.

Arthur B. Rubinstein's score is highlighted by some rising tritone material reminiscent of WarGames and a neat recurring motif for the scenes of various people on the freeway.

Gridlock

(aka The Great American Traffic Jam)

composed & conducted

by

Arthur B. Rubinstein

1. Main Title 0.29

2. Friendly Wager 0.31

3. Chrissy's Plea 0.41

4. "My baby! It's coming!" 0.39

5. Parking Space 0.49

6. Heeeeeere's the Queen 0.36

7. Whatchu Haulin'? 0.32

8. "A little touchy." 0.33

9. The Jam Begins 0.58

10. Lady with a Baby 0.30

11. Going on Tour 0.33

12. Truckers Ride 0.25

13. Driving Range 1.07

14. "...officially on vacation." 0.24

15. Mass Confusion on Wheels 0.55

16. Scratching Rigs 0.52

17. Running Through Traffic 0.32

18. Truckers' Jam 1.00

19. Leaving Without Daddy 1.12

20. Still Stuck? 1.10

21. A Drink from Snake 1.10

22. T-shirt Type 0.09

23. Trying to Relax 0.32

24. Fingers Do the Walking 0.41

25. Off to the Races 1.09

26. Gaining an Audience 0.54

27. Can't Run Away 0.06

28. All Eyes on Buzz 0.15

29. Buzz in Charge 0.26

30. General's Speech 1.56

31. Airlift Relief (Strauss arr. Rubinstein) 2.02

32. 27 Years 0.34

33. Playing with Clarence 0.23

34. "All we can do is wait." 0.33

35. Creating a New Road 2.18

36. Troops Move Out 0.43

37. It's a Boy! 0.51

38. Meeting the Crew 0.49

39. Family Reunion 1.18

40. Working Things Out 1.16

41. End Credits 0.47