King Kong Theme
Matthew Olson
12:30-1:45 Tu/Th
3/20/14
Project 1 “King Kong”
In the late 19th century, and early 20th century, movies were something of magic and mystery. The first 30 plus years (1895-1928) of film was known as the Silent Film Era, and within this time thousands of movies were produced and tens of thousands of movie theaters existed. It wasn’t until 1927 when “The Jazz Singer” released by Warner Bros. pictures, that the audience would hear a voice for the first time. This ushered in the Sound Era (1928-1944) and movies would never be the same. At first there were only sounds for titles or credits, but soon it evolved into musical scores. It soon became apparent that a well made score could make a bad film better and a good film could not …show more content…
When Ann is abducted by the tribe for sacrifice to King Kong, a terrorized version of her theme appears in which the tempo gets faster and then is reduced to four descending notes. An example of this leimotif is shown in “Reel Music” by Roger Hickman, page 120, example 10.2. As stated by Hickman, “Since four descending notes are also embedded in the Native theme, Steiner is able to merge the two themes during the sacrificial dance (Leimotif also in Reel Music).” Steiner uses the Mickey Mousing technique to add sound to the Natives physical movements as they ascend the alter stairs and ascend the wall while they usher in their sacrifice Ann. All the while King Kong has yet to be introduced or seen by the audience.
Steiner is very clever by only introducing the audience to King Kong’s three-note motive chromatic descent. This main motive is heard throughout the film and is sectioned off when King Kong is not present, but lets the audience know that King Kong is still there none-the-less. Michael Pratt from Music for the Soul, stated that “King Kong’s leitmotiv is usually descending but sometimes rising (or a combination where the three notes descend but are repeated in a rising sequence, for example, as King Kong
12:30-1:45 Tu/Th
3/20/14
Project 1 “King Kong”
In the late 19th century, and early 20th century, movies were something of magic and mystery. The first 30 plus years (1895-1928) of film was known as the Silent Film Era, and within this time thousands of movies were produced and tens of thousands of movie theaters existed. It wasn’t until 1927 when “The Jazz Singer” released by Warner Bros. pictures, that the audience would hear a voice for the first time. This ushered in the Sound Era (1928-1944) and movies would never be the same. At first there were only sounds for titles or credits, but soon it evolved into musical scores. It soon became apparent that a well made score could make a bad film better and a good film could not …show more content…
When Ann is abducted by the tribe for sacrifice to King Kong, a terrorized version of her theme appears in which the tempo gets faster and then is reduced to four descending notes. An example of this leimotif is shown in “Reel Music” by Roger Hickman, page 120, example 10.2. As stated by Hickman, “Since four descending notes are also embedded in the Native theme, Steiner is able to merge the two themes during the sacrificial dance (Leimotif also in Reel Music).” Steiner uses the Mickey Mousing technique to add sound to the Natives physical movements as they ascend the alter stairs and ascend the wall while they usher in their sacrifice Ann. All the while King Kong has yet to be introduced or seen by the audience.
Steiner is very clever by only introducing the audience to King Kong’s three-note motive chromatic descent. This main motive is heard throughout the film and is sectioned off when King Kong is not present, but lets the audience know that King Kong is still there none-the-less. Michael Pratt from Music for the Soul, stated that “King Kong’s leitmotiv is usually descending but sometimes rising (or a combination where the three notes descend but are repeated in a rising sequence, for example, as King Kong