Hollywood hits the town with WASO
28.11.2019
When you’re on the edge of your seat watching James Bond save the day, or frankly not giving a damn about the four-hour running time of Gone with the Wind, it’s easy to forget that most of your favourite movie music was brought to life by an orchestra!
The sweeping sounds and haunting harmonies bring all the feels to some epic scenes which just wouldn’t be the same without the music.
With WASO’s Hooray for Hollywood concert only a week away, we look back at some of the magical movies whose scores we’re most looking forward to hearing in all their glory with your West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Casablanca
Casablanca, released in 1942 was an absolute hit with five Academy Award wins (including Best Picture and Best Actor) and another nine nominations.
Due to wartime restrictions on building supplies, all sets except Rick’s Café were recycled from other productions in Warner Brothers slate.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
58 years after its release, the Audrey Hepburn film is as popular as ever, with fans now able to enjoy breakfast at Tiffany & Co’s Blue Box Café in New York City. Reservations open 30 days in advance and go like hot cakes so be quick!
Gone with the Wind
With an estimated budget of $4 million (that’s a million for every hour of the film…) and at the time the third most expensive film ever made, Gone with the Wind went on to gross over $400 million worldwide.
The film even went through three different directors in the 135 days it took to film; George Cukor was fired after just 18 days, he was then replaced by Wizard of Oz director Victor Fleming whose tenure was bookended by Sam Wood after Victor took time off for “personal issues”.
James Bond
Based on the charismatic character created by author Ian Fleming, James Bond first burst onto the big screen in Dr. No (1962).
The iconic theme was written by film composer Monty Norman, then arranged by John Barry. Monty, who was only familiar with the character from The Daily Mail’s comic strips was approached by United Artists to compose a two-minute theme, which has now been used for over 50 years.
Sunset Boulevard
“All right Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.”
You can't get more Hollywood than Sunset Boulevard; set in that very place in 1950, the story of a faded film star shed some light on the truth behind the glamour of Tinseltown.
The exterior shots of Norma’s mansion were filmed at a house owned by the J. Paul Getty family. The script required a pool, which this particular property did not have, so Paramount Pictures paid to have one installed on the proviso that if Mrs. Getty didn’t like it, it would be removed after filming.
Where shall I go? What shall I do? To Perth Concert Hall for Hooray for Hollywood!
Hooray for Hollywood
Friday 6 December – 7.30pm
Perth Concert Hall
Tickets here
