JOHN WILLIAMS

My parents were quite conservative at that time, so I missed out on Star Wars and Superman (yes, I know; the tragedy of my life). I heard about them, of course, and had a Star Wars audio recording LP. The first really spectacular SF thing I got to see on screen was Star Trek - The Motion Picture (well, I DID find it spectacular, excuse me ^^), but as much as I loved the score (it really got me into looking for scores), the first truly amazing opening sequence I remember came even later. I´m afraid you will laugh at me, but there you go: It´s The Black Hole.

I had never before been subjected to an overture at the movies before, so you can imagine the effect it had on me when the advertisements were done, the lights were back on, they sold the icecream, left the room, but the lights wouldn´t go down. Suddenly that massive John Barry overture came crashing down on us, loud as hell, and I was completely blown away by it, wondering what the heck was going on. I absolutely loved that music and thought, "oh, those idiots forgot to dim the light and to open the curtain." But then, of course, as the music came to its end, the lights started to go out, the curtain opened and everything went black at the perfectly timed, right moment, right when that synth sound effect ended the overture. Then the mvie started with that famous main title and the space warp graphics. It sounds childish today, but that was the best movie experience I ever had up to that point. I was completely blinded by that opening to the (today) unbelievable cheesiness of that movie, with all its brilliant ideas and stupidity thrown in together. I thought it was the best movie ever. ^^

Of course, The Empire Strikes Back came out later that year, and kind of slashed Black Hole into tiny, ugly pieces. But still, Black Hole will always be the best opening for me. Sorry.

Quite possible. There was a small theater in our town (with an even smaller screen) where they showed lots of movies old and new, attaching overtures even to movies which had none (just playing the score in front of it). I fondly remember a Back to the Future night (all three parts) which started with lights dimmed, playing the famous theme before the first movie rolled. The audience was applauding. Very nice touch.

A couple months back there was a local specialist pub quiz all about the Back To The Future Trilogy, I would have been happy to participate if you were available, Erik.

There have been a few of these themed quizzes at the same pub ( and very popular they are with Bristol's large student population ), other recent subjects have included Star Trek, Star Wars and the Alien films but unfortunately I can't cherry-pick from this board and take 'field experts' along to these quizzes so we can all be smartass together and win stuff

I'd happily take on a James Bond night all by myself

Have a listen to Williams "new" concert piece for band called "For The President's Own." Sounds like a smorgasbord of previous Williams concert pieces but it's still brilliant nonetheless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p … 8hY#at=311

-Erik-

Ah, it's out! I've been waiting for that, but thought we only would get a 'glimpse' today.

"Will be involved" meaning "writing the score" or "will be involved" meaning "writing a theme or two maybe and doing a photoshoot"?

Great, great news! Thanks for sharing, Bob!

Volker

I love how he describes Kathleen Kennedy (who is 60) and JJ Abrams (who is 47) as "very young."

So far every single one was. I find your lack of face disturbing.

My English escapes me these days. Must be the hot weather. Darn!


Volker

I know, I know!

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod

From JoAnn Kane's Twitter:

EXCELLENT! I hope it will remain true.