Concert Track Descriptions

DESCRIPTION OF MUSIC

Here are some brief descriptions of some of our music cues. RealAudio excerpts of many of them can be heard on this page, with other cues being heard in their entirety. If you would like to hear tracks not presently on our site in audio form, please contact us.

THE MOLE PEOPLE (1956)
1. Trademark: Joyous fanfare
2. Prologue: Mysterious and foreboding bass flute and strings
3. Main Title: Powerful monster/action music with brass and flutes. Spooky
Novachord (organ) and woodwinds at 1:01
IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (1953)
15. Main Title: Quintessential ‘50s fanfare with real Theremin! One of the great
‘50s themes
16. Sand Rock: Beautiful and pastoral Americana theme
17. Star Gazing: Lovely nocturne with strings, woodwinds, and percussion.
Explosive action builds at 1:15
18. Visitors From Space: Classic ‘50s sci-fi sounds throughout, with Theremin
starting at 1:35. A fabulous cue with one section related to cues #10 and #12
on “More Monstrous Movie Music” CD.
19. The Thing Follows: Theremin provides sci-fi atmosphere in beginning. Rest
of cue is mysterious and spooky, with moments of dread
20. Mysterious Desert: Pervading mystery with prominent harp and
‘50s-sounding organ
21. Globs Give Instructions: Atmospheric with build-up to potent scary finale
22. Prospector Globbed: Mysterious and atmospheric, with Theremin attack at
1:28
23. Dr. Snell Disappears: Misterioso with woodwinds, strings, and organ
24. Kidnapping Ellen: Edgy suspense building to Theremin and timpani attack
25. Glob Frank Killed: Full-orchestral action interspersed with quieter moments,
build-up starting at 1:30
26. Killing Glob Ellen: Gently foreboding
27. End Title: Powerful action with ultra-happy ending
28. End Cast: Full-orchestral version of Americana theme of cue #16.
Triumphant resolution

TARANTULA (1955)
1. Introduction: Monster fanfare
2. Main Title: Powerful orchestral action music
3. Gruesome Corpse: Suspenseful strings and woodwinds
4. Radioactive Research: Spooky cue with Novachord organ sounds -- related
to This Island Earth cue #5
5. Spider On The Loose: Classic sci-fi and monster motifs throughout, with
many powerful moments
6. Burying The Evidence: Slow building suspense with touches of mystery.
Spooky organ and strings at :58
7. Side Effects: Mild atmospheric tension with strings and woodwinds.
Monstrous hit at end
8. Big Bunnies: Dramatic tension with tremolo strings. Colorful piano effects at
:30
9. Agar to the Rescue: Action build-up at :15, with monstrous assault at :41
10. Evening Snack: Moody atmosphere builds into classic ‘50s sci-fi music at
:37. Part of this latter section is related to cue #18 on the “Monstrous Movie
Music” CD and cue #12 of this Tarantula suite
11. Bringing Down The House: After opening shock sequence, long orchestral
build-up as tension increases. A classic suspense cue, with piano building
urgency until powerful climax
12. Blasted Arachnid: Moderate suspense, with monster-approaching music at
:17. This latter theme also appears on This Island Earth CD, cue #25.
At :56 is theme related to cue #18 on the “Monstrous Movie Music” CD
and cue #10 on this Tarantula suite
13. End Title: Triumphant ending music
THE MONOLITH MONSTERS (1957)
25. Main Title: Very distinctive and powerful monster motif with piano, drums,
brass, and organ
GORGO (1961)
26. Main Title: Potent opening fanfare, gorgeous melody follows at :32 with
orchestra and accordion
27. Restless Sea/Underwater/Tidal Wave: Colorful, yet ominous, followed by
spooky impressionism with prominent vibraphone. Stirring and powerful
action at :57
28. On The Island/Inner Room: Beautifully haunting, with accordion carrying
melody. Portentously mysterious at 1:22
29. Gorgo Sighted/Gorgo Surfaces: Impressionistic uneasiness. At 1:10,
organ-powered monster attack begins
30. Fire Fight: Full-orchestral action music
31. Making A Plan/Ocean Voyage: Gentle melodic cue on accordion. Coloristic
effects at :57, with heightening strings at end
32. Gorgo Escapes/Mama Rises: Brassy action, and at :33, percussion-colored
monster attack music
33. Jet Alert/Battleship Barrage: Dissonant monstrous brass, interspersed with
militaristic brass
34. Military Might/Torpedo Attack: Quietly ominous beginning, leading to
militaristic brass, and at 1:11, there’s monster action music with a beat!
35. Big Ben Demolished: Very powerful full-orchestral monstrous action
36. London Trampled: Driving, unrelenting action music being propelled by
drums, brass, and organ
37. Return To Sea/End Title: Brassy fanfare in beginning, with triumphant ending

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THE M-G-M TARZAN FILMS (1934 - 1942)
1. Fanfare/A Cannibal Carnival: Upbeat fanfare followed by bizarre-but-exciting
Public Domain drum-and-brass-driven jungle cue
2. In The Woodland: Impressionistically-evocative, gentle and lovely
3. Tarzan Montage: Drum-propelled jungle music
4. End Title: Humorous flourish
5. New End Cast: Beautiful and triumphant end music
6. My Tender One: Sweeping, lovely, triumphant end music
CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (1954)
7. Main Title: One of the most famous ‘50s monster fanfares, followed by
landmark monster theme. Spooky organ and strings at :50
8. Prologue: Celestial organ followed by powerful fanfares. Evocative
passages, with ominous build-up starting at 1:24, leading to frightening ending
9. The Webbed Hand: Two instances of Creature theme
10. The Diver: Sparkling, lovely mood created by woodwinds, harp, and strings
11. Marine Life: Mysterious and hypnotic riff on woodwinds and harp
12. Almost Caught: Tense atmosphere with shock effects throughout
13. Digger’s Failure: Purposeful and moody, with piano, woodwinds, and strings
14. Unknown River: Beautifully-lyrical melody on strings and woodwinds
15. Tale Of The Mermaid: Exotically-beautiful cue with swirling accompaniment
16. Salvage Of The Lady Luck: Forceful music with some vintage ‘50s
atmosphere, with fabulous “Theremin effect” on funky Hammond organ at :25,
1:35, and elsewhere
17. Duke’s Little Helper: Quiet suspense cue
18. Kay And The Monster, Part 1: Beautiful opening with strings, harp, and bells
turns to classic ‘50s horror at :55
19. Kay And The Monster, Part 2: Slow-but purposeful terror
20. Tony Visits Port Royale, Part 1: Light orchestral action with steady beat
21. Brad Rescues Tony, Part 2: Unique swirling action music with organ begins
at :17
22. Henry’s Trap: Spooky and uneasy mood, with monster themes at end
23. Clay Meets A Badman: Many atmospheric passages throughout this haunting
cue
24. That Hand Again: Brassy monster themes with purposeful attacking music
25. Monster Caught: Quietly and beautifully mysterious
26. Minyora’s Plan: Marimba-tinged spookiness
27. Monster Gets Mark, Part 1: Uneasiness leading to powerful action music at
:41, with moments of sheer horror
28. Monster Gets Mark, Part 2: Brassy action
29. End Title: Blaring, classic monster-attack music with triumphant finale
30. End Cast: Upbeat fanfare ending
THE ALLIGATOR PEOPLE (1959)
31. Main Title: Dramatic fanfare, followed by unique sound of electric violin, which
creates wonderfully mysterious atmosphere
32. Truth Serum: Spooky atmosphere with woodwinds, harp, and ‘50s organ
33. Shocker (Part II): Romantic opening, explosive finale
34. Dark Memories: Similar to cue #32, with spooky atmosphere colored by
vibraphone
35. The Swamp: Ominous cue with action starting at :25
36. Cobalt Bomb: Gentle and eerie
37. His Mother: Haunting electric violin at :10, with driving action at end
38. Shocker (Part I): Covers a wide variety of quiet moods
39. Get That Gator: Short, urgent cue
40. Alligator Head: ‘50s monster music par excellence! Brassy themes with
electric violin adding notable effects. A classic creature cue
41. Paul’s Death, Part I: Monstrous action
42. Paul’s Death, Part II: Chaotic monster action with electric violin
43. The End: Short triumphant end
44. Alligator Piano: Haunting piano solo
45. Unknown River (alternate): Alternate version of cue #14
46. Cue #31 without electric violin reveals orchestra beneath
47. Cue #37 without electric violin
48. Cue #40 without electric violin showcases strings
49. Cue #42 without electric violin

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949)
1. Main Title: Powerful orchestral African music with drums
2. A Good Trade: Sprightly and playful music throughout
3. A Surprise For Dad: Short and sprightly
4. Beautiful Dreamer: Celeste and string version of famous Public Domain song
5. Baby Joe And Transition To New York: Big City fanfare
6. African Camp: Short, African-flavored music
7. Joe And The Lion: Action music with prominent percussion at :35
8. Joe And The Ropers: Chase action with prominent percussion
9. Tragedy Averted, Part 2: Chaotic swirling music at :42
10. Jill Meets Gregg: Lovely pastorale
11. Nightclub Fanfare: Big band fanfare
12. African March: Drum-powered African jazz music!
13. African Dance No. 1: Faster African jazz
14. African Dance No. 2: One of the most outlandish African jazz pieces
imaginable
15. Fanfare No. 2: Short brassy fanfare
16. Beautiful Dreamer: Jazz-tinged ‘40s nightclub version of Public Domain song
with monstrous fanfare at :58
17. Curtain Fanfare: Long fanfare
18. Fanfare #4: Short fanfare
19. Fanfare #5: Short fanfare
20. Fanfare #6: Bassy short fanfare
21. Fanfare #7: Bright fanfare
22. Fanfare #8: Short fanfare with cymbal at end
23. Fanfare #9: Low, muscular fanfare
24. Fanfare #10: High fanfare with drum tap at end
25. Fanfare #11: Low fanfare with drum
26. Fanfare #12: High fanfare
27. Fanfare #13: Long fanfare with two flourishes and cymbal at end
28. Tenth Week: Jaunty opening with plaintive strings and woodwind at end
29. Joe Breaks Loose: Tension-building with muscular brass
30. Joe Runs Amok, Part 1: Low, urgent fanfare
31. Joe Runs Amok, Part 2: Dizzying and bizarre orchestral effects
32. Joe Knocked Out: Another bizarre cue with accelerating action at end
33. Rough House: Late ‘40s chase music
34. Jill & Gregg, Part 2: Plaintive love theme
35. Chase, Part 2: Building action music
36. Chase, Part 3: Late ‘40s action music starting at :40
37. Joe Eludes The Cops, Part 2: Swirling orchestral action in beginning
38. Fire, Pt. 1: Building excitement with screeching woodwinds
39. Fire, Pt. 2: Deliberate and slow action
40. Fire, Pt. 4: More deliberate action
41. Fire, Pt. 6: Slow action with light ‘40s brass at end
42. End Title: Humorous opening with full-blown triumphant ending
20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH (1957)
43. Schneer’s Emblem: Brassy fanfare
44. Heaven/Pa Warns Rudolph: Beautifully atmospheric and celestial (longer
version at cue #66). At :31, becomes mysteriously portentous
45. Sicily: Gentle, Italian music
46. Comet: ‘50s horror mood
47. Jericho’s Arrest: Urgent action
48. Certainly/Substance: Low brass followed by melancholy theme. Alien theme
on ‘50s Novachord organ and marimba at :56
49. Galley Fire: Frantic action onslaught
50. He Is Dead/Birth Of The Creature: Moody theme with ‘50s Novachord at :55
51. My Gloves/The Cage: Spirited, yet quiet, then ‘50s Novachord sci-fi theme
afterwards
52. Next Morning: Gentle, then foreboding
53. Village: Italian music interplays with brass
54. Bookworm (new): Spooky woodwinds and marimba
55. Trailer/Fisticuffs: Prototypical ‘40s action music
56. Trial And Escape: Offbeat action music in first 30 seconds. Dissonant action
throughout lengthy cue
57. Stunned: Short, minor action
58. Meet One Trouble: Lovely and lyrical melody with violin and viola solos
59. Evil Deed: Building action and disaster
60. Bite: Short monster themes
61. My Gloves: Brassier version of cue #51
62. Throws Stone: Forceful ‘50s monster music
63. Creature: Monstrous action music in beginning
64. Moon Mystery And End Title: Haunting strings lead to triumphant climax
HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (1941)
66. Heaven: Longer and differently-orchestrated version of beautifully-celestial
cue #44

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WAR OF THE SATELLITES (1958)
1. War Of The Satellites: Fast-paced, low-budget ‘50s sound
THIS ISLAND EARTH (1955)
2. Main Title: Powerful opening, with classic ‘50s-sounding organ and outer
space effects through rest of cue
3. Jet West: Patriotically uplifting
4. Color Blind: Mysterious woodwinds
5. From Unit #16: Classic ‘50s atmosphere, with moody organ starting around
1:00. Related to Tarantula cue #4
6. Interocitor Montage: Colorful scherzo with xylophone
7. Eerie Remains: Quietly portentous
8. Robot Plane: Memorably unique and mysterious sound with harp and strings
9. Haven’t We Met?: Sci-fi organ opening, followed by lush romantic theme
10. Exeter’s Mansion: Mysterious after beautiful glistening opening
11. Wrong Girl: Romantic theme
12. This Way, Doctor: Mysterious, with alien-sounding organ
13. Secret Meeting: Quietly atmospheric
14. Neutronic Rays: Sci-fi action
15. Conversion Tube: Musical sound effects highlight classic and distinctive sci-fi
cue
16. Vermont Memories: Extended version of love theme
17. Transformation: Prominent sci-fi organ and percussive effects in spooky track
18. Shooting Stars: Classic sci-fi cue with many high points throughout --
prominent spooky organ and bells conjures outer space
19. Meteor Battle: Another outer space cue with exotic descending music starting
at :32
20. Metaluna Tunnel: Spooky cue featuring organ
21. Metaluna Transport: Musical effects highlight very mysterious sci-fi piece
22. Metaluna Catastrophe, Part 1: Powerful action with shock sequences
23. Metaluna Catastrophe, Part 2: Classic action and shock sequences throughout
cue, with distinctive percussive effect at :40
24. Flight From Metaluna: Lyrical opening, with musical sound effects sequences
at 1:08 and 1:45
25. Amorous Mutant: After glistening opening, steady build-up to one of the best
monster tracks of all-time. Short version of this theme is in Tarantula cue #12
26. Down To Earth: Various moods, upbeat ending
27. End Title: Monstrous action music
28. End Cast: Short triumphant piece
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956)
29. Main Title: Purposeful and powerful action
THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1963)
30. Main Title: Powerful driving action music with prominent French horn calls and
unearthly strings
31. Greenhouse: Ominous low strings build to tambourine-flavored attack
32. A Sight For Sore Eyes: Haunting misterioso with vibraphone
33. Hospital Awry: Chaotic and dizzying woodwinds
34. Doctor Exits: Dramatic hit followed by foreboding harp and strings
35. Plane Crash: Orchestral burst leading to plaintive uneasiness
36. Triff Riff: Short orchestral attack
37: Lost: Transitional strings
38. Susan And Bettina: Exquisitely lovely with bells
39. Turning On The Lights: Moody and melancholy
40. Chute To Kill: Orchestral bursts of terror
41. Escape/Coker’s Death: Deliberate chase
42. Spanish Square: Spanish melody
43. Here Come The Triffids: Unrelenting slow attack with prominent timpani
44. Leaving Town: Short transitional music with strings
45. On To Cadiz: Evocative harp and brass calls highlight mysterious, yet
lovely, cue
46. Triffid Attack: Brass and woodwind attack
47. End Of The Triffids: Noble theme leads to triumphant ending

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