MovieChat Forums > It's Alive (1974) Discussion > Larry + Bernard Herrmann - The Odd Coupl...

Larry + Bernard Herrmann - The Odd Couple?

posted 17 years ago by moviemaniac2002
5 replies | jump to latest

I've heard everyone speculate how Larry Cohen ever managed to have this film
scored by one of the greatest of all film composers....especially since Herrmann was famous for his hot temper and his sometimes vocal disdain for the directors he worked with and the movies he scored.
But I think Herrmann and Cohen probably found each other to be kindred
spirits...two tough guys with New York City attitudes and a low tolerance for Hollywood *beep* of any kind.
I've read the excellent biography of Herrmann and it's obvious he
enjoyed scoring "It's Alive", he named one of key music cues..."The Milkman
Goeth"

[–] MuzikJunky 16 years ago

Cohen gave Herrmann complete freedom to do what he wanted with the music, and that’s why they got along so well and became close friends. The only time they ever fought was when Cohen asked for some music to be played over the clip of Beep, Beep. The former relates this in detail on the commentary track available on the region-1 DVD. I think the music is gorgeous, too. Is there a soundtrack available? Is it written up in that giant biography about Herrmann that was published a few years ago? Was there any electronic trickery other than the obvious analog synthesizer used in the main credits and near the end? Peace.

The everyday happens every day.

[–] ClockworkKarma 16 years ago

You can't beat an L.A. Baby/Killer story with "Taxi Driver" score.
Herrmann knew how to bring this film to life.
Parental drama at its most horrific.

[–] BillyFisher 16 years ago

Yeah, I was very curious how Cohen managed to get Herrmann in to do such a low-budget movie. The score was one of the best things about it.

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[–] Ginsu Victim 14 years ago

I watched this for the first time last night and was shocked to see Herrmann's name in the credits! I knew I was in for an awesome movie at that point.

[–] LCShackley 13 years ago

Herrmann was desperate in his later years. He had alienated too many people in Hollywood and preferred to live in the UK. But the younger directors knew him from his work with Hitch and sought him out. He scored a lot of bad movies in his final 10 years.