Customer Reviews

Alfred Hitchcock Presents Music to Be Murdered By / Circus of Horrors [Original Soundtrack]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When Alfred Hitchcock was at the peak of his popularity, thanks to his TV series, "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," someone came up with the wonderful idea of Hitch narrating an easy-listening album filled with black humor. Now DRG has reissued this grim but sly gem on CD for the first time. Hitch provides his usual droll commentary while his musical director, Hollywood veteran Jeff Alexander, conducts creepy arrangements of old standards like "After You've Gone" to underline the album's homicidal tendencies. It's great fun if that sort of humor appeals to you. That album has been paired with the soundtrack to the British film "Circus of Horrors," which is less interesting but may appeal to film-score buffs. But Hitchcock fans are urged to pick this one up.

The only reason I gave this four stars and not five is because there isn't more "Music to be Murdered By". "Circus of Horrors" is interesting and nostalgic of an era, but the core of this release is timeless Hitchcock and it should either stand alone or include even more of his narration to fill out the time. His dark humor weaved into mysterious and suspenseful music is campy and obvious, especially nowadays, but still pretty cool any time of year.

NOTE: The "Circus of Horrors" segment of this CD doesn't contain any narration from anyone...strictly music.

Get this one if you can, folks.

First saw a picture of this album on a site I was visiting. And thought, "Hey, I didn't know about this Hitchcock record!". And what with it being on a site of things from the past I thought fat (no disrespect to Alfred) of me finding or getting one. But Amazon came through again. And thought not the actual record a CD. Good enough for me. This album is full of Alfred Hitchcock's wit and dark humor. He speaks before each track. The music chosen fits the mood of the album title. So it is a prefect blend. Also thrown in is a album I heard of but never seen for sale. The Circus Of Horrors. A good companion album to go with the Hitchcock one. There is only one song on it the rest is music. Enjoyable music. Several years ago Scarlet Street put out a CD with resung songs from various horror movies. The song Look For A Star was on it. It was nice to hear the original version as remembered from the movie. I don't think you have to be familiar with the movie to enjoy the Circus Of Horrors part. Also the back side of the original record covers are reproduced. Get the written wit of Alfred. So good product and good price. Especially for fans but others can appreciate it too,