Beyond the Forest
Original Movie Soundtrack

Disques Cinémusique presents a digital restored version of the original soundtrack to the movie ‘Beyond the Forest’ composed and conducted by Max Steiner. This acetate recording was first released on a non commercial LP produced by Tony Thomas for The Max Steiner Music Society.

Disques Cinémusique presents a digital restored version of the original soundtrack to the movie ‘Beyond the Forest’ composed and conducted by Max Steiner. This acetate recording was first released on a non commercial LP produced by Tony Thomas for The Max Steiner Music Society.

Beyond the Forest, produced by Henry Blanke for Warner Bros in 1949 and directed by the esteemed King Vidor, was Bette Davis’ last film under her long contract with that studio. Miss Davis had joined Warners in 1932 and by the end of that decade she was one of their major assets. Her star shone very brightly indeed for a long time but with Beyond the Forest meeting little critical approval and only mild box office response – and coming on the heels of two flops (Winter Meeting and June Bride) – both the actress and the studio realized that the glory era was coming to an end.

However, in the years since then, Beyond the Forest has become something of a cult film. While recognized as an over-ripe melodrama, it is also recognized for a certain glossy stylishness and its acting, its direction and its technical expertise rise above the soap opera screenplay. Besides, it just happens to be the film in which Miss Davis uttered that imperishable line, ‘What a dump!’

Whatever the shortcomings of Beyond the Forest as cinematic literature, it still received the full treatment included – as it had in so many previous Bette Davis vehicles – a full, rich, symphonic score by Max Steiner. Miss Davis has commented on many occasions about the contribution of Steiner to her pictures, claiming that his sense of drama was a vital and empathetic ingredient. It certainly holds true in the case of Beyond the Forest, which is gamely supported by the score. The music pulsates throughout this spicy yarn, with Steiner’s theme for Rosa pointing up both the passion and the selfishness in her nature.

It is also interesting to note Steiner’s use of the song play up the importance ‘Chicago’ in the score. The famous song is a kind of leitmotiv for Rosa and Steiner’s variations play up the importance of that city in her thinking. The three notes of the melody for the word Chicago become a clarion call for Rosa, in her strong determination, and ultimate failure, to get there. For the purpose of this album, the score has been arranged into a free-flowing symphonic suite, and one which follows the continuity of the story. It is yet another example of this remarkable composer’s ability in the fascinating craft of film music.

- From the original LP liner notes by Tony Thomas

More info at: Disques CinéMusique