Max Steiner's score

Poor Max learned nothing from the message so indelicately thrust upon us: "don't compromise, be your own man, etc." He tirelessly attempted to lead us to feel what we were supposed to feel. God knows the film sure couldn't, so pandering to the public while caving to his director was perhaps his only play. Unto itself the music was excellent, of course. Unfortunately the seriousness of the score only contributed to the comic effect.

I don't enjoy having to turn my volume down about 20% whenever Steiner (or Vidor or whoever's decision it was) felt the need to have a music "swell." Most irritating aspect of many older films: hitting me over the head with some overly loud music to tell me how I'm supposed to feel.

I love many Max Steiner scores but this is one of my favorites. It seems to have a different tonality which is perfect for this movie.

I couldn't stand it. The score was overly dramatic and distracted from the action. His score made every scene feel completely over the top. He should have used the swells and crescendos more sparingly to hit the high scenes. Along with the overwrought dialogue and facial expressions, it made me feel like I was watching a movie being lampooned on the Carol Burnett Show rather than a serious film.