I saw this film on BBC2 last night and really enjoyed it.
Can someone PLEASE tell me what that wonderful music that Thomas and Bruno (the two who played parts (hilariously I thought) in the ghost train) were playing on an old gramaphone in their first scene in the film?
I would much appreciate this information.
JOHN LEE HOOKER - BOOGIE CHILLEN!!! The song with that beat!
shareThanks for the reply rednatse, I recognised the Great John Lee Hooker. It was some kind of weird jazz music that I'm hoping someone will identify for me.
shareJazz? it was blues, man! and the title is "Boogie Chillen", very well known blues hit. there are diffrent versions of it. the one in Funny Bones is the first version ever recorded. back in the 40ths i think. or 50ths.
shareSome kind of weird jazz music eh?
I think you're after 'The Penguin' by the wonderful 'Raymond Scott Quintette', which certainly pops up once or twice in the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jqvEbr9qLs
You're talking about the very first scene they're in where the cops come to tell them Jack has climbed the tower and to bring Toast, right? That's Caravan written by Duke Ellington, but I can't find that version. I think that's Ellington playing it. The credits don't list any other musicians under "Caravan". But I've searched and searched for that version. I'd be grateful if someone could tell me how I can get it.
shareWhat about the music that was playing at one point or another in their little trailer? It's hard to describe, but it had a lot oh low humming from some horn instrument, and it played while they were doing their act in the trailer (I think).
shareHmmm... I haven't seen the movie in a few years, so I'm not sure what scene you mean--the one where they're setting the table in the house under the roller coaster and tossing the dishes around? I think that's where that funky version of Caravan is... but I'd have to see it again to be sure.
I wrote to the music editor a few weeks ago and asked her where I can find that version.
After seeing this incredible film a few times on TV, I've bought it on DVD now. I agree it's one of Duke Ellington's versions of Caravan, quite early I would think.
I'd really love to see a longer version of the film. I see most of Oliver Reed's stuff was cut, and Joanna Lumley's part removed completely! I assume the extraordinary breadth of material was felt to be just too long for the Cinema.
I've just done a comprehensive search on the net for THAT music and - although not convinced it is the version used in the film - the nearest I found was titled 'jazz, blues & swing -#714EA' as the MP3 title and is by a certain Duke Ellington - there are about 15 different versions! ( - If it's of any help the file size was 1422 'somehtings'…Kb? )
shareThe soundtrack is out of print, I think; it's expensive but you can get it on e-bay or similar process. I don't know if it has all the music from the movie.
Just saw another movie with a good mix of music--"B. Monkey"
[deleted]
Good news, folks....
The version of 'Caravan' used in Funny Bones is the 1944-1946 Duke Ellington Band version. It was recorded for RCA-Victor.
It can be found, for certain, on 'The Complete RCA-Victor Mid-Forties Recordings (1944-1946) [BOX SET]', available through Amazon.
I'm really chuffed to have found it. Funny Bones is one of my all-time favourite films, and the tune has had me enchanted since I first saw the film.
Hope everyone finds a copy.
- Liam Wilkinson
Oh wow! I'd given up! I'd even written to the music editor at Paramount Studios (letter returned, they don't forward).
Thank you thank you thank you. One of my lifetime searches is over.
Ok--now tell me what the cartoon noise is when a dog bites a bone. How do they make that silly crunching noise?
Hi. I'm the director/writer Peter Chelsom.
That track was Caravan by Duke Ellington. It almost sounds off key, doesn't it? One of my favourites of all time. Thanks for writing.
Wow--cool--Peter Chelsom! I loved Funny Bones. Boy that sheep joke scene in Las Vegas is excrutiating.
Yes, that version of Caravan sounds screwy, which must be why you chose it.
Hi all. Does anybody know what the piece of music over the closing credits is, and who is it by? It's a 30s/40s style jazz piece, played on trumpet (I think with a "damper/muffler" over the end !)I thought it was called "it must be jelly" but I'm not sure.
shareHey-
That music is by Raymond Scott- the piece you're thinking of is called "The Penguin" I simply ADORE it, too! I was trying to read up on him and it sounds like he was a cool guy.
Take care