Customer Reviews

Mancini Soundtracks Collection: Charade/Experiment in Terror

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If you enjoy the music of Henry Mancini and appreciate a good bargain, then this album's for you. I spent several years (when I was in high school - before the practical existence of the Internet as we know it today) searching for the soundtrack to one of my favorite films, CHARADE. When I finally DID discover it, it was available in two formats - alone on its own album or as part of the "Mancini Soundtracks Collection" on an album along with the complete soundtrack to EXPERIMENT IN TERROR, which I've actually never seen. The latter was considerably less expensive, so I naturally purchased that one and was extremely pleased. I feared low quality or missing tracks due to its low price, but my fears were completely unfounded. It sounds wonderful and appears to feature the complete soundtracks to both films.

I've long loved the soundtrack to CHARADE. Like the film, it's funny, romantic, and suspenseful. The title track is beautifully wistful, echoed by its instrumental versions throughout the score as well as other tracks, like "Bateau Mouche." These slightly somber tunes are balanced by livelier numbers like "Bistro," "Mambo Parisienne," and "Orange Tamoure," among others.

Having never seen EXPERIMENT IN TERROR, I didn't know quite what to expect from its soundtrack. I expected it to be pretty dark, but found that it definitely has its fair share of traditionally upbeat Mancini numbers like "Flutter's Ball," "Tooty Twist," and "Golden Gate Twist" and more comical numbers like "The Good Old Days" and "Down By The Wharf."

Overall, this is definitely a great buy for Henry Mancini lovers and likely anyone else who enjoys film music from the 1960s. Add to that it's appealing price sticker and you have an unbeatable combination.

This CD combines the complete soundtracks of 2 of Mancini's best scores from the early '60's. Both have been available singly on CD, but this is truly a bargain and a treat for the Mancini fan (especially the long-unavailable "Experiment in Terror" tracks, some of which popped up on the collection "Mancini plays Mancini"). Listen to each collection, and hear how marvelous he was at conveying a mood for 2 totally different pictures - "Charade" is romantic, while "Terror" is just what the title implies. Very good, and not dated in the least. Enjoy!

For some reason most Henry Mancini scores are not readily available domestically. This British import is a welcome addition containing two great scores. The audio quality is first rate. This set is a must for fans of Mancini's film music.

The score to "Charade" was one of the first albums I ever bought. It perfectly captures the "feel" of that wonderful Stanley Donan film. Having worn out the vinyl (and who plays vinyl anymore), this was a perfect opportunity to replace it. The bonus of the score to "Experiment in Terror" is like having dessert with your coffee! I had no idea this score was ever available outside of the title track. It really shows Henry Mancini's
versatillity in capturing the period's (early 60s) mood and styles - jazz & pop. Great Value.

This is a European cd of the Henry Mancini soundtracks of the movies Charade and Experiment in Terror.

The music is good, but unless you have a specific desire for the music of either of these two movies, the place to start with Mancini is his Original Album Classics box.

Mancini's soundtrack albums were selections of pop music. It is noteworthy that Mancini included in the Experiment in Terror album a couple of tracks which set the mood for the movie.