A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] [Enhanced, Soundtrack]

Stephen Sondheim (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 14, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 16, 1966
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000009CDC
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,868 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tiba Solo/Into/Comedy Tonight - Zero Mostel & Company

2. Search For Mare's Sweat

3. Lovely - Annette Andre/Michael Crawford

4. Tintinabula's Dance

5. Vibrata's Dance

6. Roman Emissary

7. Everybody Ought To Have A Maid - Michael Hordern/Zero Mostel/Jack Gilford/Phil Silvers

8. Riot At The Funeral

9. Domina Returns (Fanfare)/Into/My Bride - Leon Greene & Company

10. Erronious Returns

11. Orgy Music

12. Lovely (Reprise) - Zero Mostel/Jack Gilford

13. In The Arena

14. The Dirge - Leon Greene & Company

15. The Rescue Of Philia/Into/The Chase

16. Comedy Tonight And Playout

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

The Tony Award® winning and much beloved comic musical A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM was the first Broadway play with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The 1966 film adaptation and its soundtrack album features a stellar cast of comedians including Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford, Buster Keaton, and Michael Crawford. The soundtrack includes the popular song "Comedy Tonight," and Academy Award® winning incidental music composed for the film by Musical Director Ken Thorne.First Time on CD!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oscar Winning Score, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

Yes, many of the songs are gone (Yes, for some reason they left "Free" out), and some of the notes by the singers are a bit off, but besides this score is actually more lively than the lethargic Broadway Recording (which is also excellent, but lacks the energy of this recording). Ken Thorne (Superman's II and III and HELP!) adapts the music with verve and incredible energy, standouts in the songs include "Comedy Tonight," "Everybody Ought to Have A Maid," "Bring Me My Bride" and the finale version of "Comedy Tonight." As for Thorne's incidental music, it's simply wonderful, ranging from the sort of Roman music stylings to a baroque version of "Comedy Tonight" for the final chariot chase. Yes, go ahead and complain that not all the songs are in it, but be glad the songs that were put in were done fantastically! Also, if you read the liner notes, you can see what Thorne had to go through to arrange the songs, which makes his accomplishment even more astounding. By the way, those who complain about this album often forget the fact that it won the Oscar for Best Original Score.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this version, January 25, 2001

By 

P. Morris "Peter" (the UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

Sadly, this CD fails to live up to expectations. A film of an enormously sucessful Broadway and West End musical must have sounded like a good idea at the time, but as this CD testifies, it was not well executed. Many of the songs have been cut, and those that remain are poorly orchestrated. The highlight of the disc, and the reason for two stars is the instumental 'Chase' and playoff at the end, as well the signature number 'Comedy Tonight!', which are nice to listen to.

While the performances are not bad, neither are they particularly good, which means that the recording lacks the particular feeling of farce that is necessary for the show to work as a recording.

If you want a recording, then get either the OBC or the recent Broadway revival cast: both of which are superior in almost every respect.

4.0 out of 5 stars As Funny as the title suggests!, May 24, 2001

By 

M Orff (ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Original MGM Motion Picture Soundtrack [Enhanced CD] (Audio CD)

I'll admit that the CD has a lot more orchestration than song, and if you didn't see the movie it might not make much sense, but I thought the movie was a riot! Michael Crawford is absolutely amazing, Zero Mostel is an incredible actor, and there's nothing funnier than Phil Silvers singing "Lovely". If you haven't seen the movie, I highly suggest it.