NEAR MINT - UNSEALED - ONLY ONE AVAILABLE

Samuel Fuller began his working relationship with Daryl F. Zanuck and Twentieth Century Fox in 1951 with Fixed Bayonets! That film was quickly followed by the three films whose scores are included in this set – Hell and High Water, Pickup on South Street, and House of Bamboo.

For Hell and High Water, Fuller assembled a first-rate cast, including Richard Widmark, Victor Francen, Cameron Mitchell, David Wayne, Gene Evans, Richard Loo, and, as Denise Girard, and newcomer Bella Darvi. The film’s handsome photography was by Joseph MacDonald and the music was by Alfred Newman, the head of the Fox music department, who by the time of Hell and High Water had already won six Oscars.

Newman, of course, turned in an exemplary score, highlighting all the action, suspense, and romance in his usual brilliant way. The score is yet another Newman classic from an era in which he simply could do no wrong.

The year prior to Hell and High Water, Fuller made a noir classic for Fox, Pickup on South Street, which starred Richard Widmark, Jean Peters, Richard Kiley, and the extraordinary Thelma Ritter (who was nominated for an Oscar for this film). The score was written by Leigh Harline. At that point, Harline had already won an Oscar for Best Song with “When You Wish Upon a Star,” from Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (lyrics by Ned Washington), and one for Best Original Musical Score for that film. Harline’s music is top-notch, starting with his propulsive main title music, which really sets the mood for what’s to come – jagged, bluesy, and jazzy. The film’s music perfectly defines its characters, drama, and milieu. It’s a great score for one of Fuller’s finest films.

Finally, we have House of Bamboo, starring Robert Ryan, Robert Stack, Shirley Yamaguchi, Cameron Mitchell, Brad Dexter, Sessue Hayakawa, DeForest Kelley, and Biff Elliot. The film is classic Fuller and while it takes place in Japan it more often takes place in Fullerland. Once again, Fuller turned to Leigh Harline for the score and Harline turned in what was and is one of his best scores. It is lush with melody and orchestral color, and the Fox orchestra has rarely sounded more beautiful. Harline remains one of the most under-appreciated of the Golden Age composers, but hopefully with each CD release, new fans will emerge and people will appreciate just how great he was.

All three scores have had previous releases but are long out of print. For this release, Hell and High Water has received a loving upgrade from Mike Matessino, and he has newly mastered the other two scores. We are thrilled to follow up our release of Preminger at Fox with this tribute to one of the most interesting and one-of-a-kind directors in all of cinema – Fuller at Fox – with the music of two wonderful composers who knew exactly what Samuel Fuller and his films were all about.

CD 1: HELL AND HIGH WATER Composed and Conducted by Alfred Newman
01. The Atom Bomb (02:16)
02. Paris (01:21)
03. Denise Enters/World Broadcast (02:41)
04. Rendezvous (01:26)
05. His Own Price for Dying (01:05)
06. There’s No Tomorrow (02:32)
07. Submerged Submarine (04:56)
08. Choppy Seas
09. Denise (02:27)
10. Captain Jones/Sub Through Choppy Seas (01:01)
11. 61 J Capsule (08:56)
12. The Red Sub
13. Up at Sub
14. The Ocean Floor (07:27)
15. The Sub’s Rising/The Victorious Sub
16. We’ve Sighted Land (01:57)
17. Oil Tank Explosion (02:04)
18. Stormy Sea (01:04)
19. Kevlock Island (07:48)
20. “Your Record, Captain”/The Enemy/The Killing
21. Escape (01:32)
22. Chin Lee’s Burial (00:51)
23. The Bomber is Destroyed/Homeward Bound (04:29)

Bonus Tracks
24. “Don’t Fence Me In” (01:24)
25. The Atom Bomb (revised) (02:16)
26. House of Bamboo (Song) (02:36)
27. House of Bamboo (Demo) (02:44)
28. House of Bamboo (Instrumental) (04:33)

CD 2: PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET Composed by Leigh Harline, Conducted by Lionel Newman
01. Main Title (01:04)
02. South Street (02:26)
03. Skip McCoy (03:10)
04. Moe (01:40)
05. Intruder (01:53)
06. Muffin (01:34)
07. Again (03:15)
08. Candy and Skip (03:59)
09. Argument (02:19)
10. “Mam’selle” (02:53)
11. Sorrow (03:47)
12. Skip Out (03:30)

HOUSE OF BAMBOO Composed by Leigh Harline, Conducted by Lionel Newman
13. Main Title (01:19)
14. Investigation (01:55)
15. Arrival in Japan (01:41)
16. River Front (01:04)
17. Mariko’s Escape (01:27)
18. Mariko's Story (02:28)
19. Meeting Place (02:48)
20. Night Scene (03:19)
21. Breakfast and Bath (03:49)
22. Mariko’s Decision (02:02)
23. Disclosure (04:15)
24. Goodnight (02:37)
25. Telephone Warning (02:36)
26. Serenade in Blue (01:39)
27. Sandy’s Suspicion (01:03)
28. Fun Fair (02:14)
29. End Title/Epilogue (01:18)

Bonus Tracks:
30. Be Still Little Voice (03:02)
31. Yakuza Tea Party (04:01)