Short Essays

1) Describe the three basic types of music heard in original scores during the silent film era and cites specific examples from The Birth of a Nation. (10 points) There are three basic types of music heard in The Birth of a Nation. Each type serves it’s own purpose in the film. The first is adaptations of classical works. These adaptations are extended versions of the original classical piece of work. These adaptations are used for extensive action scenes. For example, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie is the leitmotif for the Klu Klux Klan in the movie. The second type is arrangements of well-known melodies. These well-known melodies are used for emotional appeal. For example, “Dixie”, a very popular song of the South, is used to express Southern patriotism. Also, these well-known melodies were used to set a racist mood. A scene shows slaves dancing to “Turkey in the Straw”. Lastly, the third type is original music. The original music is used to reinforce the characters of the movie. For example, Elsie has a sweet, playful leitmotif. This theme implies her innocence. The original music in The Birth of a Nation is the strongest of the three types, composed by Joseph Carl Briel.

2) What is the role of source music in Casablanca? (10 points) The role of source music in Casablanca is in the development of the character Rick. The source music used is mostly American popular music. All the popular songs used are barrowed. The only exception is “Knock on Wood,” which was created specially for this film. The beginning of the film starts with melodies that set the mood, location, and conflicts between France and Germany. “Knock on Wood” is used in Rick’s Cafe Americain with the character Ugarte, who plays a thief in the film. This tunes helps create the superficial ambiance of the Café. “As Time Goes By” is another tune that indicates a love theme between Rick and Ilsa. This tune is used when Ilsa asked Sam to play the song at the café. It is also used during Rick’s flashbacks of Paris with Ilsa. The tune “Die Wacht am Thein” is used by German soldiers. The tune, “Marseillaise,” is used by Victor Laszlo to express patriotism for France.

3) The music for Gone with the Wind is the paradigm of the Classic Hollywood film score, and the music for Citizen Kane represents, like the film as a whole, a departure. Describe the basic characteristics of the Classic Hollywood film score using Gone with the Wind and other films from this period (1933-43) for examples. Then discuss the new qualities found in the music for Citizen Kane. (20 points) Hollywood entered a second Golden Age during the mid-1930’s and early 40’s. Many action, drama, and horror films had general characteristics that were specific to this time. It was during this time that director’s increased the amount of underscoring in films. Other characteristics of the classical film score include an extensive use of music, exploitation of the full range of orchestral colors, reliance upon the melody-dominated postromantic style, establishment of the principal themes and moods during the opening title and credits, musical support for dramatic moods, settings, characters, and action, frequent borrowing of familiar melodies, and unity through leitmotifs and thematic transformation. Films that provide prefect examples of Classic Hollywood film score include Gone with the Wind, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Informer, and The Bride of Frankenstein. Max Steiner is the composer for Gone with the Wind. This film has a postromantic style. Music follows the ever-changing moods of Scarlett, her emotions, and emotions of other characters. Themes are used for different characters and relationships amongst them, such as Scarlett and Ashley’s love theme. The music is written for a full symphony orchestra. Herbett Stothart is the composer for Mutiny on the Bounty. This film’s success is due to the musical scores used. The music reflects the opposing moods of the plot. Distinct music is played for the different English portions of the film and the Tahitian portions of the film. Marches and navy tunes indicate the English location and lush string sound indicate Tahitian scenes. Max Steiner is the composer for The Informer. This film heavily integrates music into the drama. Each character has a theme, source music is used to set the location, the music mirrors physical action, and tension is created by linking the sound to moods of the characters. For example, Gypo has a march-like theme that suggests his fate. Franz Waxman is the composer for The Bride of Frankenstein. This film uses themes for the characters, lyric melodies, underscoring, leitmotifs that include a wide range of instruments, and the music provides clues of what is happening in the film. For example, the music of the orchestra mimics the sound of wind and electricity. The music quickens and suggests the new creature is alive before the audience can actually see it. In 1941, Citizen Kane brought new qualities found in music. Just like the Classic Hollywood film score, Citizen Kane uses music to capture moods and enhance the story. However, music in this film is used selectively. There are a many scenes that do not include underscoring. Citizen Kane contains two principle motives. The power motive and Rosebud are two themes used throughout the film to tell the story. The music of this film lacks warmth and coincides with the starkness of the story and the black-and-white film. The power motive is used during times of Charles Kane’s growing success. The Rosebud theme is used in the beginning when young Charles is playing with his sled. This theme shows up again during his marriage to Susan. Unfortunately, this theme is taken over by the Power theme. Overall, the power theme dominates the Rosebud theme, which in turn helps to tell the story of Charles Kane.