FSM: Leigh Harlines THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM / THE HONEYMOON MACHINE

[Gast Stefan Jania]

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm/The Honeymoon Machine (1962, 1961)

Limited Edition of 2,000 Copies.

Composed by: Leigh Harline, Bob Merrill

This 2CD set presents a key work relating to fantasy filmmaker George Pal, composer Leigh Harline, and the widescreen Cinerama film process: The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962).

One of only two dramatic films shot in three-strip Cinerama (an innovative widescreen format—How the West Was Won was the other), The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm was producer and co-director George Pal’s telling of the story of brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Karl Boehm and Laurence Harvey), incorporating three of the famous Grimm fairy tales, anthology-style. Between Pal’s fantasy filmmaking (including his innovative Puppetoons), the hybrid biographical/anthology format, and the widescreen Cinerama lensing, Brothers Grimm was one of the most unique family films ever made.

The prominent soundtrack to The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm was a collaborative effort of songwriter Bob Merrill (Carnival!, Funny Girl) and score composer Leigh Harline (Pinocchio, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao). Merrill wrote five songs and three instrumental themes for the film (including the chipper, catchy main theme), which were incorporated into a charming symphonic score by Harline. Complete with Overture, Intermission and Exit Music, the soundtrack is a major fantasy work that benefits from being recorded in the unique seven-channel, 135 feet-per-minute Cinerama format—yielding terrific sound quality today, with excellent use of the stereo field.

Disc one of this 2CD set presents the premiere release of the complete score to The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, newly mixed and mastered from the original seven-channel Cinerama masters. Disc two has three sections: First is the David Rose “cover” version of the Brothers Grimm soundtrack released by MGM Records at the time of the film, featuring Rose’s versions of Merrill’s themes on side one, and six contemporary movie themes on side two. In the middle of disc two is a program of bonus tracks from the original soundtrack sessions to Brothers Grimm. Finally, concluding disc two is Leigh Harline’s charming, never-before-released romantic comedy score to the 1961 M-G-M film, The Honeymoon Machine, starring Steve McQueen, with an upbeat title song, “Love Is Crazy” (lyrics by Jack Brooks).

Liner notes to this premiere release are by Jim Lochner—but there was so much to write about that additional notes are presented, for free, online at our website. Go here to begin reading about The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and the related music presented on this long-awaited album.

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

Music Score by Leigh Harline

Words and Music by Bob Merrill

The Songs: “Dancing Princess,” “Ah-Oom,” “Christmas Land,” “Dee-Are-A-Gee-O-En (Dragon)”

The Themes: “Gypsy Fire,” “Above the Stars,” “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm”

“The Singing Bone” Music by Bob Merrill, Words by Charles Beaumont

DISC ONE

1. Overture 2:46

2. Emblem/Napoleonic Field Music 1:19

3. Main Title 2:00

4. Street Scene No. 1/Street Scene No. 2 2:15

“The Dancing Princess”

5. Once Upon a Time 2:51

6. Pursuit 1:34

7. Gypsy Rhapsody 3:02

8. Gypsy Camp Bridge/Princess Waltz (Dream Sequence) 1:30

9. Remembrance 1:00

10. The Tumbler 0:46

11. The Bridge 1:11

12. Dancing Princess 1:09

“The Cobbler and the Elves”

13. Once Upon a Second Time 0:57

14. The Old Cobbler/Christmas Land 1:30

15. Go Home 0:40

16. Ah-Oom 2:36

17. Good Luck Elves 1:29

18. The Old Cobbler/Christmas Land 1:39

19. Where Is Jacob? 2:28

20. The Clock/Epilogue Act I 2:52

21. Overture Act II (Revised) 3:25

22. Siegfried und Brunnhilde 0:31

23. The Lorelei 0:44

24. In Search of a New Story 2:12

“The Singing Bone”

25. Dee-Are-A-Gee-O-En (Dragon) 1:40

26. Entering Cave 1:59

27. Introducing the Dragon/Sir Ludwig the Brave 4:21

28. Dragon Dance/The Swinger/Ride Him, Hans/Death in the Cave 4:03

29. Braggart/Murderous Knight 1:09

30. The Seasons/Singing Bone/Decision 1:34

31. Singing Bone Part 2 0:39

32. Life Again/Sir Hans 1:31

33. Desperate 1:02

34. The Fever 1:55

35. Delirium 1:26

36. Farewell 2:38

37. Book Montage 1:31

38. End Title 0:22

39. Epilogue Act II 2:34

Total Disc Time: 72:18

DISC TWO

David Rose and His Orchestra Play Music From The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

1. The Theme From The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm 1:54

2. Above the Stars 2:30

3. Ah-Oom 1:39

4. The Dancing Princess 2:19

5. Gypsy Fire 2:07

…and Other Motion Picture Favorites

6. Till There Was You 1:59

7. Ebb Tide 2:39

8. Around the World in Eighty Days 3:13

9. Spellbound Concerto 2:30

10. Thank Heaven for Little Girls 1:52

11. Exodus 2:50

Total Time: 25:59

The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm

Original Soundtrack Bonus Tracks

12. Ah-Oom (with lead-in dialogue) 4:05

13. Dee-Are-A-Gee-O-En (Dragon) (with lead-in dialogue) 1:49

14. Emblem (alternate) 0:26

15. Main Title (alternate) 2:09

16. Princess Waltz (Dream Sequence) (alternate) 1:37

17. The Clock/Epilogue Act I (alternates) 2:52

18. Overture Act II (alternate) 3:25

19. Singing Bone (unprocessed) 0:43

20. Book Montage (alternate, with trombones) 1:30

21. Dancing Princess (solo zither) 2:35

22. Ah-Oom (pre-recording) 2:40

23. Dancing Princess (pre-recording) 1:13

24. Gypsy Rhapsody (pre-recording) 2:41

25. Princess Waltz (Dream Sequence) (pre-recording) 1:43

26. Dee-Are-A-Gee-O-En (Dragon) (pre-recording) 1:17

Total Time: 31:18

The Honeymoon Machine

Music Composed and Conducted by Leigh Harline

Song: “Love Is Crazy” Music by Leigh Harline, Lyrics by Jack Brooks

27. Main Title 1:58

28. Lovely Venice 1:05

29. The Casino 3:55

30. Quandary 0:34

31. Love Is Crazy 2:37

32. Crazy Mixed Up Love 1:10

33. Lovely Venice (Reprise)/The Casino (Reprise)/Gondolier 1:37

34. Escape Part 1/Escape Part 2 1:44

35. End Title/End Cast 1:00

Total Time: 16:01

Total Disc Time: 73:42