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From the Vault...
04/01/2012
#1301 |
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info
Soundtrack
"The Graduate"
© Columbia Records
Rating:
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track listing
The Sound Of Silence
The Singleman
Party Foxtrot
Mrs. Robinson
Sunporch Cha-Cha-Cha
Scarborough Fair/
Canticle (Interlude)
On The Strip
April Come She Will
The Folks
Scarborough Fair/
Canticle
A Great Effect
The Big Bright
Green Pleasure
Machine
Whew
Mrs. Robinson
The Sound Of Silence
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Soundtrack
"The Graduate"
Simon & Garfunkel and composer/arranger/pianist Dave Grusin provided the music for the 1967 film, The Graduate,
starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman. The movie was based on an affair between an older married woman (Mrs. Robinson),
and a much younger man (Benjamin Braddock). (A very touchy and taboo situation BACK THEN).
Interesting information: Film director Mike Nichols wanted the original characters of Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin Braddock,
and Mr. Robinson chosen for Doris Day, Robert Redford, and Gene Hackman. (Murray Hamilton was the actor who played Mr.
Robinson.) Actresses who were considered for the role of Mrs. Robinson were Ava Garder, whom Nichols wasn't interested in.
Joan Crawford (had inquired), and Patricia Neal (yet had health problems at the time). Charles Grodin was offered to play
Braddock, but he turned it down. Dustin Hoffman was actually 30 years old at the time when the movie was made; Bancroft
as actually 36. Braddock's character would soon to be 21 years of age, where Mrs. Robinson's age was "twice Braddock's age",
42. Katharine Ross portrayed Mrs. Robinson's daughter, Elaine. In the film, Elaine was 19 years of age, where in reality,
Ross was actually 27. Bancroft, Hoffman, and Ross were all nominated for an Oscar for their portrayals in the film.
Director Mike Nichols was inspired by Simon & Garfunkel's music, and asked Paul Simon to write the music for the film.
There are 2 sets of songs, having two versions by Simon & Garfunkel: "The Sound Of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson."
All 4 songs are very different than the original hit versions. "The Sound Of Silence" was from their previous
released album of the same name (yet it was titled The Sounds Of Silence), in 1966. "Mrs. Robinson"
(the hit version) was to be on their forthcoming album, Bookends (1968). Another set is "Scarborough Fair/Canticle":
One is a short interlude, the other was from another previously released Simon & Garfunkel album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary
and Thyme. "April Come She Will" was from their previous released album, The Sounds Of Silence. Also from
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme: "The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine" -- a song that has an off-Country/Folk
sound; impressive song by S&G.
The remaining instrumentals were by Dave Grusin. "Singleman Party Foxtrot," "Sunporch Cha-Cha-Cha," "On The Strip,"
"The Folks," all have the easy listening style, slightly jazz and/or big band. Two instrumental orchestra leaders come
to mind on these tracks: Enoch Light and Lawrence Welk. Another orchestra leader comes to mind on "A Great Effect,"
David Rose, who's claim to fame was the adult dancing tune, "The Stripper." "A Great Effect" definitely is
in play with Rose's popular song. "Whew" is a short instrumental piece.
The Graduate is definitely Soundtrack music. If you're expecting the hit versions of the Simon & Garfunkel tunes, the
one that is really the hit version is "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" "Mrs. Robinson" and "The Sound Of Silence"
are all short in length, and very different than the hit versions. Of course, getting Simon & Garfunkel's best of/greatest
hit compilations or even the original albums they came from would be the best sources.
I've never seen the movie, yet it was received quite well by the critics. Affairs of any kind were basically "taboo"
back in the '60s, yet that is quite common in today's day and age. Dustin Hoffman has made a great name for himself,
becoming a well-known and popular actor in the decades that followed The Graduate. Anne Bancroft made many movies
throughout the 1950s to the early 2000 decade. Bancroft passed away of cancer in 2005. She was married (for 40 years) to
comedian Mel Brooks.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Columbia Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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