Classic Ross Amico

Tag: WWFM

Don Juan Swashbuckling Film Scores on WWFM

“The sword is not for a traitor… YOU’LL DIE BY THE KNIFE!!”

So declares Errol Flynn, as Don Juan, as he backs up his words – and saves the Spanish throne – by hurling himself down a marble staircase to dispatch the slimy Duke de Lorca.

“The Adventures of Don Juan” (1948) will be among my featured works this week, on “Picture Perfect.” In terms of audacity and swagger, Max Steiner’s classic film score gives Erich Wolfgang Korngold a run for the money. The music enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in the 1980s, when portions were reused in “Zorro, the Gay Blade” (1981) and “Goonies” (1985).

Enjoy a rousing suite from the film, on a program of Latin swashbucklers, which will also include selections from “Captain from Castile” (Alfred Newman), “The Mask of Zorro” (James Horner), and “Puss in Boots” (Henry Jackman), on “Picture Perfect” – music for the movies – this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

FUN FACT: The actual leap was accomplished by stuntman Jock Mahoney, soon to be Sally Field’s stepfather. Mahoney was paid $350 to execute the stunt.

August 21, 2020
Fantastic Voyage Jaws Double Feature

What’s more dangerous – going for a skinny dip at night off the coast of Amity, or scuba diving with Donald Pleasence through bodily fluids? I don’t know the answer to that, but I’ll be doing plenty of both on another Classic Ross Amico double-feature.

Join me at 6:00 EDT for music from some memorable aquatic traumas – including selections from “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef” (Bernard Herrmann), “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (Henry Mancini), “The Swimmer” (Marvin Hamlisch), and “Jaws” (John Williams) – on “Picture Perfect,” on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Then at 7:00 EDT, drop by as Roy Bjellquist and I have a little fun – VERY little – with the miniaturized mayhem of “Fantastic Voyage” (1966). A tiny team races against time to perform up-close emergency surgery on the brain of a defecting Soviet scientist! Feel free to leave a comment or join the discussion on the Facebook live-stream of “Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner.”

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner/

Here’s to swimmin’ with bowlegged women!

August 7, 2020
Classic Film & UFOs On Air Friday

You’re right. The idea of cowboys lassoing an Allosaurus so that they can show it off in their Wild West show is totally preposterous. But not to worry, we’ll rinse the taste out of our mouths with a three-way bull session devoted to a movie about extraterrestrials who fly around in ice cream cones.

That’s right, it’s another Classic Ross Amico double feature!

Join me this Friday evening at 6:00 EDT, for an hour of music from the western scores of Jerome Moross on “Picture Perfect” – including selections from “The Big Country,” “The Proud Rebel,” “The Jayhawkers,” and “The Valley of Gwangi” – on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Then at 7:00 EDT, Roy Bjellquist and I will be joined by Joe Metz (my cousin, whom I have not seen in about 35 years) for an in-depth discussion about a movie that influenced us all, Steven Spielberg’s UFO blockbuster “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

You can bet your mashed potatoes that the hour will not pass without some discussion of music, which permeates the film on multiple levels.

Catch the Facebook live-stream, and by all means, participate in the running commentary. We look forward to reading your thoughts and reactions.

Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner

Watch us. Watch the skies. When we see you there, we’ll know, truly… we are not alone!

July 31, 2020
Live Music Today WWFM Classical Network

It’s a refreshing change of pace to be able to enjoy any live music these days. All the more reason to savor two special events, which will take place at Mercer County Community College’s Black Box Theatre and will be shared today over WWFM The Classical Network.

First, pianist Clipper Erickson will perform works by R. Nathaniel Dett, Beethoven, and Laurie Altman, at 12:00 EDT.

Then Rob Kapilow will present an all-new “What Makes It Great?” playing and deconstructing music by Beethoven, Sondheim, and composers of the Great American Songbook, at 8:00 EDT.

Enjoy a sense of connection, with genuine live performances, presented in real-time. The seating is in your living room, today on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

July 24, 2020
WWFM Listener Support Shines Through

Even in time of COVID, our dedicated listeners come through for us! With hosts interacting from separate studios and staff answering phones from home, we were able to crest $65,000 in donations, making our end-of-the-fiscal-year fundraiser a success. This is not underappreciated during such a turbulent time. We at WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org thank you for your extraordinary generosity!

July 1, 2020

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS