Caldera Records proudly presents David Shire’s scores for the films “Deadfall” from 1993 and “I Married a Monster” from 1998.

The two scores are unusual entries in Shire’s rich filmography. Both are (nearly) entirely electronic. In the latter part of his career, when he worked mostly in television, Shire often relied on synthesizers because of budget constraints rather than for artistic or aesthetic reasons, as he had done previously when he recorded “Apocalypse Now” and “2010.” For “Deadfall,” it was a conscious choice to evoke the required emotions without acoustic instruments (though Shire employs a female singer as a coloratura).

Alas, his music went unused. The film was largely a family affair. In the 1970s, Shire had been married to Talia Shire, Francis Ford Coppola’s sister. The film’s director, Christopher Coppola, is the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Talia Shire. Nicolas Cage, who plays Eddy in an experimental performance featuring many accents, is Christopher Coppola’s brother. David Shire agreed to write music for what would be Christopher Coppola’s debut film as a friendly gesture. After he had recorded his electronic score, the producers insisted on a more overtly noirish score for mainly live instruments. Shire’s work was scrapped.

“I Married a Monster” is one of his own favorites. It is easy to see why David Shire is so pleased with his work. It is a cornucopia of themes and variations that, although dark, somber, and frightening, always has a twinkle in its eye. It was up to him to give the film its spice and propel it forward. He succeeded beautifully, with a memorable main theme in the style of an operatic overture (including electronic organ), which he continues to develop and adapt throughout the score. Characters Kelly and Nick have their own innocent love theme before the latter transforms into an alien life form (“Fireside Scene”), and even Kelly’s dog, which dies an early death, receives its own motif (“Into the Woods”).

The 74th CD-release of Caldera Records features a detailed booklet text by Stephan Eicke and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was mastered by Richard Moore and produced by Stephan Eicke and David Shire.

Deadfall
01. Main Title (2:54)
02. First Sting (3:07)
03. Joe’s Bus Ride (1:32)
04. Joe and Diane Love Scene (3:10)
05. Huey Meets His Maker (2:09)
06. Deep Fried Eddie (1:38)
07. The Jewel Box (2:57)
08. Joe and Diane in Boudoir (2:25)
09. Second Sting/Reappearance of Mike (6:36)
10. End Credits (4:04)

I Married a Monster
11. Main Title (2:28)
12. Fireside Scene (2:29)
13. Into the Woods (2:00)
14. Nick and Steve (0:27)
15. Doctor’s Office (1:08)
16. TV Movie Love Scene (1:11)
17. Into the Woods II (2:29)
18. Goodbye Crazy Guy (2:11)
19. It Was So Terrible (2:05)
20. Kelly Runs to Paul (2:12)
21. The Chase (5:53)
22. Finale (0:56)
23. End Title (1:26)