Hugo Friedhofer's 'Boy on a Dolphin' Score

Here by request by reader woolfnotes is Hugo Friedhofer's score for the 1957 film Boy on a Dolphin.

Hugo Friedhofer

This the first Friedhofer LP to appear here. He was known for his skill as an orchestrator, making his name in that realm before composing film scores in his own right. Friedhofer was prolific - Boy on a Dolphin was one of three films he scored in 1957 alone. The others were An Affair to Remember and The Sun Also Rises.

Although it is Friedhofer's score, he based the main musical cue on a melody by the Greek composer Takis Morakis, who is barely noted on the cover. Add Paul Francis Webster's lyrics, and you have a attractive pop song featured over the opening and closing titles.

Mary Kaye

Here things get a little murky. On the LP, the song is handled (and very well) by Decca vocalist Mary Kaye, previously featured here on this blog. She does not appear, however, on the soundtrack itself, where the singer is an uncredited Julie London.

Why the change? Most likely because London was contracted to Liberty Records, which did put out her rendition as a single. It's not the soundtrack version; on the 45, the singer is backed by a solo guitar played by Howard Roberts. Decca belatedly came out with a competing version from Kaye. Neither were particularly successful, although both are excellent. I've added the London single to the download as a bonus.

Apparently co-star Sophia Loren also sings the tune in the film, but I don't have that one. That's Loren on the cover,  looking distracted as Alan Ladd bends over to either kiss her shoulder or sniff her armpit. This is one of a long line of awful Decca covers from the period.

Friedhofer's music for the film is atmospheric and very enjoyable, making effective use of Marni Nixon's wordless vocals at times. The orchestrations are by Edward B. Powell, and Lionel Newman conducts the band. The sound is very good.

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