100 Essential Film Scores of the 20th Century
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A list of memorable scores from films released
between
the 1930s and 1990s.
No musicals or movie songs are included on this list
since they are
a separate category.
100 Essential American Film Scores of the 20th Century
Selected
by Roger Hall
Managing Editor, Film Music Review (FMR)
and
Member of the International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA)
Preparing any survey of film scores presents a difficult problem.
Which ones to choose and which ones to leave out.
This is my list 100 essential scores released
between 1933 and 1993 in English.
No foreign produced films (other than British) are included,
such as Italian produced films with music by Ennio Morricone,
who would be included if the list was larger.
More than 50% of the titles are in
the so-called Golden Age (1930s-1950s).
I believe that the most respected and beloved films were made
during those three decades.
There have been significant films
made in later decades as well,
only not as many.
This list is intended to help recall
many
of the memorable film scores from
the years --
1933 (KING KONG)
to
1993 (SCHINDLER'S LIST).
Each film score was chosen as
representative of significant originality.
All the numbers have film title, date,
and the film composer's name.
This list is now available in this new PDF book
from PineTree Press, 2026 --
Also available separately
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The title page (shown above) has a personally autographed signature
by film composer, John Williams.
This film music book was written by film music historian and critic,
Roger L. Hall.
It is
recommended for classroom teachers and students,
flm researchers and writers,
and any film lovers who enjoy film music.
To order the latest 9th edition of the popular PDF book
click this link:
A GUIDE TO FILM MUSIC - Songs and Scores
