“One-Eyed Jacks” a Kritzerland Smash
The first and only film directed by Marlon Brando, the 1961 western One-Eyed Jacks isn’t as well-remembered as many of the screen legend’s other accomplishments. But with a cast including Brando as bank robber Rio (inspired by Billy the Kid), Karl Malden as his former partner-turned-sheriff Doc Longworth and Ben Johnson as new cohort Bob Emory, and a revolving door of screenwriters including Sam Peckinpah and Calder Willingham, One-Eyed Jacks had much to distinguish it. It was the final film shot in Paramount’s magnificent VistaVision process, and Charles Lang was the cinematographer, and was duly rewarded with an Academy Award nomination for his work. Also among those notable qualities was its score by Hugo Friedhofer, nine-time Academy Award nominee and winner of the 1947 trophy for his score to the William Wyler-directed The Best Years of Our Lives. Friedhofer brought to his score a mastery of many genres honed by his years as an orchestrator for the likes of Max Steiner and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and his own diverse array of scores including The Young Lions starring Brando, Hondo and The Bishop’s Wife. Kritzerland on Monday announced a 1,200-copy limited edition 2-CD set preserving both the complete film recordings and the original Liberty Records LP presentation of Friedhofer’s score.
Click on the jump to read about the restoration of Hugo Friedhofer’s exciting score to One-Eyed Jacks, along with pre-order information and track listing!
Producer Bruce Kimmel has painstakingly assembled the most complete presentation of the score as is possible; all cues are making their first CD appearance here. The first disc is restored from the original two-track album masters from the EMI vaults and contains 2 alternate cues from the full film recording. The second disc comprises the entire film score in stereo. The bizarrely fascinating film and its stirring score have long been favorites of Kimmel’s, and he’s making the limited edition of 1,200 copies available at the same price as his usual single-disc soundtrack releases: $19.98 plus S&H. One-Eyed Jacks became, on Monday morning, the fastest-selling release in Kritzerland’s history, and all pre-orders sold out from the site within hours. However, One-Eyed Jacks may still be available from Screen Archives, Intrada or other venues. Audio samples are available here.
One-Eyed Jacks (Liberty LP LOS-17001, 1961, reissued Kritzerland, 2010)
CD 1: Album Presentation
- Main Title
- The Kiss of a Scoundrel/Pursued by Rurales
- Toast to Friendship
- Lonely Thoughts/Betrayal and Capture
- Escape (Parts 1 & 2)
- To Monterey/The Search
- Seduction
- Contrition
- To Point of the Devil/Gentle Visitor
- Dark Thoughts/Necklace and Idea
- Confession/Confidence Regained
- Finale
- Alternate Main Title
- Alternate Finale
Tracks 13 & 14 are previously unreleased bonus tracks
CD 2: Complete Original Score
- Main Title
- The Getaway/The Kiss of a Scoundrel
- Pursued by Rurales
- Toast to Friendship
- Escape to the Cantina
- Lonely Thoughts/Betrayal and Capture
- Escape (Parts 1 & 2)
- The Search
- To Monterey
- Meeting After Five Years
- Meet My Family/Trouble Among the Four
- Luisa in Love
- The Seduction
- Contrition
- The Informer
- Dad’s Suspicions Allayed
- Dad’s True Colors
- To Point of the Devil
- Gentle Visitor
- Dark Thoughts/Necklace and Idea
- Prelude to Rape
- Luisa’s Confession/Confidence Regained
- Compulsion
- Adios Friend/Double Cross/The Ambush
- Confession of Love
- Chance to Escape/A Break for Freedom
- Finale
All tracks on CD 2 are previously unreleased
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2 thoughts on ““One-Eyed Jacks” a Kritzerland Smash”
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I would like to see this version of ‘One-Eyed Jacks’ re-released – it seems all this took place (only to be sold-out) while I was visiting far away places with strange-sounding names and getting an ear-full of sand….