Honoring Elmer Bernstein

Yesterday, August 19, 2004 - the world lost one of the greatest names in music, that i regret - not many people even know his name. Elmer Bernstein (no relation to Leonard Bernstein) was one the greatest film composers in Hollywood’s history. With about 200 films to his credit - he was not only a great composer, but obviously prolific as well. Perhaps his best known work is the incredible jazz score for Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm, starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker, and Darren McGavin, about a heroin junkie (Frank Sinatra as Frankie Machine) trying to go straight by being a drummer. If you’ve never seen the film - by all means check it out. Or if time is short, check out Frank Random’s terrific FREE preview that will give you a taste of Bernstein’s genius.

Bernstein’s gifts also took center stage on another classic film - To Kill A Mockingbird, starring Gregory Peck and based on Harper Lee’s novel. Bernstein was challenged by the film and finally decided to come up with a brilliant score that was based on a very simple musical line, often played by a single note on the piano. His style here was meant to reflect upon the beauty and innocence of a child - and how a child might perceive the hatred of racial prejudice. In a totally different style - another work of musical genius. Watch the movie - or check out another great FREE Preview by LikeTelevision’s resident genius, Frank Random.

And Bernstein did it again - with the rousing upbeat Western score for the Magnificent Seven (the Marlboro Man theme back when cigarette makers advertised on television). And in case you didn’t know - The Magnificent Seven was based on an earlier work by Akira Kurosawa - Seven Samurai. And yes - another terrific FREE Preview.

Other credits include: National Lampoon’s Animal House, Ghostbusters, Birdman of Alcatraz, The Great Escape, The Great Santini, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and True Grit - to name but a few. Elmer Bernstein was a major talent, a legend and a musical genius.

He was also known for his liberal political views - which got him in trouble during the Communist Witch Hunts in the 1950s. He was hauled before Congress, and asked to name names - which he refused to do. Though he was not blacklisted - he still couldn’t find any decent work until he was hired by Cecil B. DeMille to score The Ten Commandments.

Bernstein was born April 4, 1922 and died peacefully in his sleep at his California home on August 19, 2004.