Family Plot
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1:04:09
Hitchcock used Bernard Herrmann in
many of his films to write great music.

1:04:13
If you look back on Hitchcock films,
music is certainly a very key ingredient.

1:04:19
It is really almost his signature pattern.
1:04:22
I do know before
John Williams was selected,

1:04:25
he had had a falling out
with Bernard Herrmann.

1:04:28
I remember in the scoring session it
was exciting to watch Williams conduct.

1:04:34
And, of course, Hitchcock
was there a little bit of the time.

1:04:36
Mr Hitchcock had his office at Universal
Studios, and so he apparently needed

1:04:41
a composer for this Family Plot,
1:04:43
and the executive those years
in charge of music

1:04:45
was a gentleman called Harry Garfield.
1:04:47
So, it was Harry Garfield
who recommended me as a newcomer

1:04:52
just having done Jaws,
a very successful film, to Mr Hitchcock.

1:04:55
And I went to see him at his office,
1:04:58
and we had lunch
and had a chat and I left

1:05:01
not knowing if he would
engage me to do this or not.

1:05:04
Then I got a call from Mr Garfield
the next day.

1:05:06
He said, Hitchcock, yes,
he would like you to do the score.

1:05:14
The business of working
with Alfred Hitchcock

1:05:16
was really very professional
and very strong.

1:05:19
We had a few meetings as I wrote
the music. He didn't ask to hear it.

1:05:23
I would tell him what I was doing, this
or that scene. We talked about that.

1:05:28
And then the conversation
might change to Edward Elgar

1:05:30
or some other musical interest of his,
you know? We chatted about that.

1:05:34
So, on the one hand, it was
very professional and very specific.

1:05:37
On the other hand,
very easy and congenial and so on.

1:05:41
I don't know what's come over
me tonight. I'm tingling all over.

1:05:45
I told you about danger, didn't I?
1:05:48
First, it makes you sick.
1:05:51
Then, when you get through it,
it makes you very...

1:05:54
very loving.
1:05:57
(Williams) He told me a story having
nothing to do with Bernard Herrmann.


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