O. Henry was a master writer and was known for his ironic "twist" endings. In O. Henry's Full House, an anthology film from Twentieth Century Fox, we get five of his stories, some of which remain famous to this day: ''The Cop and the Anthem,'' ''The Clarion Call,'' ''The Ransom of Red Chief,'' ''Gift of the Magi'' and ''The Last Leaf.'' The film had five separate directors—Henry Hathaway, Henry King, Henry Koster, Howard Hawks and Jean Negulesco—and an amazing all-star cast, including Charles Laughton, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Widmark, David Wayne, Jean Peters, Farley Granger and Jeanne Crain.
As with so many Fox films, Alfred Newman also has to be recognized as one of the leading players. Ably assisted by his close collaborator, vocal director Ken Darby, Newman brings his customary sensitivity to every sequence, and this is some of the most beautiful music he ever wrote. It's a classic Newman score, filled with his exquisite themes, none more so than his masterful ''The Last Leaf.''
The Luck of the Irish was directed by Henry Koster, and starred Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter, Lee J.Cobb and Jayne Meadows, with the delightful Cecil Kellaway as Horace, a leprechaun. The music for the film was composed by Cyril J. Mockridge and was conducted by Alfred Newman. Like David Buttolph and David Raksin, Mockridge served Fox as a workhorse and jack-of-all-compositions. Although he occasionally got to score projects which went on to become classics—such as Miracle on 34th Street and How To Marry a Millionaire—he never wrote a lovelier or more entertaining composition than he gave to Irish, an all-but-forgotten comedy/fantasy. His music perfectly follows every footstep of the physical and spiritual journey of the characters, and is a delight from start to finish.
This is the world premiere release for each of these scores, lovingly mixed and mastered by Mike Matessino from the elements in the Fox vaults. The sound is excellent and is an early example of the push-pull miking techniques of the time, resulting in a beautiful stereo presentation.
O. HENRY'S FULL HOUSE
1. O. Henry's Full House: Main Title
2. Concerning O. Henry
3. ''The Last Leaf'' - Love Ends
4. Joanna
5. The Will to Die
6. The Good Samaritan
7. Holding On
8. A Great Artist/Finale
9. ''The Cop and the Anthem'' - The Windy Street
10. Softly and Tenderly/Finale
11. ''The Clarion Call'' - A Gambler's Honor
12. Love's Dream After the Ball
13. De Camptown Races/Finale
14. ''The Ransom of Red Chief'' - Hill Billy Tune/Finale
15. ''The Gift of the Magi'' - The Lovers
16. Heartbroken 17. The Perfect Gifts
18. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Finale
19. O. Henry's Full House: End Titles
Composed and Conducted by Alfred Newman
THE LUCK OF THE IRISH
20. The Luck of the Irish: Main Title
21. The Leprechaun
22. Fitz
23. The Little Man
24. The Waterfall
25. The Coin
26. Goodbye, Fitz
27. New York
28. Frances
29. The Drink
30. Horace
31. Courage
32. Old Tricks
33. The Bottle
34. A Gift for an Old Friend
35. In a Thicket
36. Finale
Music by Cyril Mockridge
Conducted by Alfred Newman |
