'King's Row,' Korngold and 'Star Wars'

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1942, Warner Brothers released the film King’s Row, which included in its cast a 31-year-old actor named Ronald Reagan, who claimed the film “made me a star.” The film’s musical score was by someone already a star — Austrian-born composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, famous for his earlier work for Hollywood swashbucklers like Captain Blood and Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn.

Korngold’s music for King’s Row proved unusually popular, and Warner Brothers prepared a form letter politely declining inquiries for sheet music or recordings. Back then, film score recordings were not common, and the big studios were jealously protective of anything — including music — that they owned. It wasn’t until 1979 — 37 years after the release of the movie — that a full soundtrack recording of King’s Row was released, produced by the composer’s son, George, who was responsible for a major revival of interest in his father’s work.

In fact, Korngold’s main title music from King’s Row may have provided the model for American composer John Williams when he wrote his main title music for the 1977 sci-fi swashbuckler Star Wars. It’s also curious to note that the main title music for King’s Row was requested by the White House in 1981 for use at the inauguration of President Reagan, who, you may recall, later promoted a ballistic missile defense shield nicknamed by its critics — wait for it — Star Wars.

Music Played in Today's Program

Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957): Main Title, from King’s Row; National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, conductor; RCA LSC-3330 (LP) & 7890-2-RG (CD)