What do the other members think of his work?
http://www.classicfilmmusic.com

[Message edited by James Phillips on 05-19-2003]

Has anyone heard his, ON THE THIRD DAY?

BB

[Message edited by Bob Bowd on 05-19-2003]

I do not have any recording of Michael J. Lewis’ scores, so what I know of his work comes from having seen the pictures many years ago.
I liked THEATER OF BLOOD and its beautiful theme, as well as his dramatic score for THE MEDUSA TOUCH, and I remember his music has being the only redeeming factor of SPHYNX.

And anybody who has had to score such a ludicrous piece of sick crap as J.Lee Thompson’s THE PASSAGE wins all my sympathy.

Thanks for responding to my query. I know I can count on my Anglo & Gallic friends when it comes to the European composers.

By the by, I was able to arrange a meeting and interview with Mr. Lewis while I'm in Los Angeles next week. I'm fascinated by his speech cadences and writing. Maybe we can hoist a few pints while discussing his work with Bryan Forbes.

Apart from the brilliant THEATER OF BLOOD, I have fond memories of THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT (my only MJL LP) and things like JULIUS CAESAR (a very strong theme), and his pop-flavoured THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF (starring Roger Moore and Roger Moore). Beware of this latter on CD, by the way. There was talk of the deficient recording right here a little while back, I think.

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Originally posted by Graham Watt:
Oh yes, James, hearty Michael J. Lewis would be great company to have a pint with! I heard an interview with him on the radio a long time ago where he spoke about his marvelous score for THEATRE OF BLOOD. He mentioned that he wasn't too fond of the idea of scoring it initially, because he didn't really want to do a grisly horror movie, but changed his mind after he saw it ("It was an absolute GAS!", the composer laughed). He then went on to say how in the scene where Vincent Price surgically removes Arthur Lowe's head, he wanted to evoke an almost DOCTOR KILDARE sense of romanticism. He also enjoyed scoring the fencing scene on the trampolines, not something you get to do every day.

Apart from the brilliant THEATER OF BLOOD, I have fond memories of THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT (my only MJL LP) and things like JULIUS CAESAR (a very strong theme), and his pop-flavoured THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF (starring Roger Moore and Roger Moore). Beware of this latter on CD, by the way. There was talk of the deficient recording right here a little while back, I think.

Great composer. Pity he never really seemed to hit the "big time", though you'll have to ask him if he's that bothered! (James, don't forget to let us know about your proposed meetings with Gil Mellé, Michael Small, Universal reps, etc etc).

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Remember in THE AGONY AND THE ECTASY when the ever pious Pope Julius (a marvelous Rex Harrison) kept asking the overwrought Michaelangelo (Charlton Heston) when HE WAS GOING TO MAKE AN END to the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?

My reply to the Melle and others is this: WHEN I AM FINISHED!