Harold Robbins’ The Betsy is a heady combination of cars, sex, money and power – set in the corporate board rooms (and bedrooms) of fictional Bethlehem Motors. With a cast headed by Sir Laurence Olivier, the 1978 film also starred Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duvall, Jane Alexander, Lesley-Anne Down and Katharine Ross. This Tadlow Music production for Prometheus Records features the world premiere of the complete score by John Barry. If, in Mister Moses (the previous Tadlow/Prometheus Barry re-recording), the composer chose to emphasize rhythm and color, here he stresses melody and harmony, with poignant melodic ideas including a wistful main theme waltz and a bittersweet love theme. Barry’s subtle music pervades the film with a patina of sadness and melancholy, while a few action passages are reminiscent of his Bond sound. The music has been reconstructed by conductor (and former orchestrator for John Barry) Nic Raine, who conducts the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Although the film is not much-remembered today, fans of John Barry are sure to find this latest re-recording (from the same team that brought you not only Mister Moses but also The Lion in Winter, Robin and Marian, Raise the Titanic, The Last Valley and Walkabout) an unforgettable experience. -PROMETHEUS

The Betsy Main Title 2:32
Crash / To the Mansion 2:19
He and She / Call It Betsy / Its the Car 5:17
Multi Image 1:27
Angelos Theme 3:01 Win One, Lose One / You Always Know 3:17
Bobby Visits / Back on Payroll 2:47
Grandfather / Its All in the Family / Working on Betsy 5:22
What Took You So Long? / A Toast 4:05
Blackmail / What Happened? / Lorens Suicide 4:03
In Bed 2:32
Angelo Is Beaten / Warrens Murder 3:02
What Took You So Long? 1:03
Samson Gets It / Angelo Takes Over 3:29
The Betsy End Credits 2:12

Total Disc Time: 46:53