While I posted Robert Israel's comments to me, I neglected to post any of my own to him. Several people wanted to know what I had to say, so here it is.
Dear Mr. Israel,
Gagman 66 here. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to hear from you directly. Obviously I am a huge fan of your excellent work. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me.
Yes, I have definitely noticed your original compositions certainly, mixed in with the Photo-play music. And I was sure that you had composed several themes for THE BLACKBIRD yourself including the main-title, and various character themes. I felt some of the comments made over the past few weeks about your scores were completely unjustified, and their was a general mis-perception among some people as to the nature of your work. So I was determined to defend you in that regard. Alas, I should not have said that your scores were made up "mostly" of photo-play movie mood music. I should have emphasized more that you are in-fact a composer, and a very gifted one in your own right. My apologies for not doing so.
I am not to sure what the story is that it took three years for THE BLACKBIRD to air on the North American TCM's, but I was determined to find out about this matter last July, and finally managed to get the broadcast on the schedule. It took a few weeks to track the movie down, but I knew that it had to be there someplace. Eventually, Charles Tabesh was able to corral it, and was considerate enough to add it to the October line-up. He already had a Chaney slated, (THE MONSTER), so I inquired if the switch could perhaps be made, and it was. I'm so glad that they finally ran the film last night. I have numerous friends all over the country that considered this the event of the year!
Since you have contacted me, I am hoping that you can shed some light on another perplexing mystery that has been plaguing me for the past three or four years. It concernes your reprisal of original 1925 William Axt-David Mendoza score to King Vidor's THE BIG PARADE which you and your Orchestra performed a handful of times in 2005, and perhaps more recently? I know the new restoration was screened at another festival sometime last year. I wish I had more details about this.
To put it moderately, I am losing all patience with Warner's that THE BIG PARADE is still not out on DVD, but even more so that no version of the film has aired at all on TCM since Memorial Day of 2004. I was told in July by Charles Tabesh that He could have run the Thames version. But He had been holding out for the Newly-mastered print, which was supposed to have been ready a long time ago for broadcast. As I'm sure you know, that hasn't happened yet. Leaving this landmark film in Limbo on TCM for the past four years!
It's my understanding that the new fine grain master struck from the long lost original camera negative is jaw-droppingly beautiful quality. So what is taking so long to get it on the air? Unfortunately, Warner's neglected to record a score back in 2005, and to the best of my knowledge they still have not recorded one yet?
My friend Jack Theakston saw a live performance with your 19 piece Orchestra at AMPAS in March of 2005, and again later in the year with You performing the entire score on a Wurlitzer. Astonishingly, He actually preferred the Axt-Mendoza original to the Carl Davis score! That sounds mighty hard to believe. Although, I am fully aware that Davis adapted several of the same themes into his own score for the Thames Silents edition produced by Kevin Brownlow, and David Gill in England in 1983. So allot of it should be quite similar.
I'll admit I am used to the Davis score and love it, If it is going to be replaced they better dang sure record the original, rather than some unbefitting modern score! That would be a desecration of a truly magnificent film. I also remember how Jack commented what an incredible improvement the new restoration was over the older Thames edition pictorially speaking.
The problem is Rodney Sauer of Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, told me the chances of Warner's recording having you and your orchestra, or anyone else for that matter recreating the full original score, is probably a long shot at best? He said that the potential copyrights involved with some of the music Axt-Mendoza may have used, might make this such an expensive endeavor that Warner's may feel that it is just not worth it? I sure hope that He is wrong.
Anyway, I figure that at least 70% of the score is probably Public-Domain Material, and Davis used allot of it himself in 1983? In that respect, it's already been done once before. So I don't see what is the big deal? Also if Dr. Axt and company were partial MGM employees, (they may have been), shouldn't they have the rights to the entire score???
If we do eventually get stuck with some inferior new score to THE BIG PARADE, I would hope that they would also re-mastered the Thames version with Davis score, and put it out in a two disc set. Heck, I wouldn't mind seeing the 1931 re-issue included too, In a three disc Ultimate collection. I'm certainly growing ever more weary that this fabulous film is still not on DVD. But even more depressed that it is not on TCM, and hasn't been in quite awhile either. I still hold out hope that you will be able to re-produce, and record the Axt-Mendoza score verbatim, as it should be.
Even Charles Tabesh seemd frustrated with Warner's after seeing the film at a live event last year. Although to be be frank, I see no reason they can't run the older version in the meantime though. Especially, for the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice in November! The good news is Tabesh told me that THE BIG PARADE was almost certainly forth-coming on TCM, and DVD in 2009, for MGM's 85th Birthday Celebration. So I hope He is correct about that?
Trouble is, I heard the same thing back in 2005, for the films 80th Anniversary, that a DVD release was enamante. So I guess that I will believe it when I see it. It's frankly beyond ridiculous that the highest grossing film of the Silent era, and the movie that quite literally defined MGM prior to the release of GONE WITH THE WIND, is not on DVD! I know allot of new to Silent film fans, many who have never seen THE BIG PARADE, and are very anxious too.
I have a tendency to ramble on and on. I fear that I am doing that once again. Basically, what I intended to ask you is, are the comments of Rodney Sauer valid in terms of copyrighted material that could prevent the original score from being used on this project? Is this legitimate concern of any kind? The fact that the score was not recorded would seem to imply that it could be? I mean, for them to commission some inferior new score when the original is available to me would be a disaster, and is not doing this land-mark film it's proper justice. No young Composers on THE BIG PARADE, parish forbid! Not that I was not sadden by the demise of this annual competition. I definitely was. Any additional information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
In any event, I intend to fight for the score you performed to be recorded, and paired with the film no matter what it takes, So you definitely have an allay, and I have many friends that feel just as strongly about this matter as I do.
For a little more on myself, here is a link to my page on GAOH. I have well over 200 photos posted, and nearly a 100 pieces of music. It would be wonderful to have you as a member. Please feel free to join. Thank you for all your time, and keep up the great work!
http://goldenageofhollywood.ning.com/profile/TheGiant
Hope to hear from you some more very soon.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey