Like the consumption of Thanksgiving turkey and waiting in line for Record Store Day exclusives, La-La Land's Black Friday announcements of their final (and often biggest) archival soundtrack releases of the year is a holiday tradition. In 2021, the label did not disappoint, unveiling five rare, unreleased and expanded score titles from across five separate decades. From horror classics to brilliant stage musical adaptations and even a stunning Golden Age score, there's really something for everyone in LLL's last harvest of the year.

Join us for an in-depth look at each, now available to order from the label (with different shipping dates for each)!

One of 1959's most stunning dramas was an adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, a play based on the real-life recovered writings of a girl who documented her time hiding with her family in the annex of a factory in The Netherlands during World War II. (Only Frank's father survived the war; the rest of the family was killed in Nazi concentration camps.) Directed by George Stevens and shot partially at the actual factory, the film is considered one of the most striking depictions of the harrowing story. It won three Academy Awards, including Shelley Winters' portrayal of fellow refugee Petronella Van Daan. The score by 20th Century-Fox's legendary composer Alfred Newman is considered one of his finest. This definitive 2CD presentation, produced by Nick Redman (the late, great founder of the Twilight Time Blu-ray imprint and an authority on Fox's music), Mike Matessino and Neil S. Bulk, premieres the original film score from 35 millimeter multi-track magnetic elements as well as a remaster of the original soundtrack album, sourced from a newly-located 1/4" stereo master. (This pressing featured more music than the mono release.) Jim Titus' package design features copious notes from writer Julie Kirgo, as well as contributions from actress Diane Baker (a frequent guest of Newman's scoring sessions) and Chris Malone, who restored, mixed and mastered this release. It's limited to 2,000 units and will start shipping today, November 30.

La-La Land next moves ahead to the '70s and - spiritually, at least - back to the Ukranian village of Anatevka in the early 20th century, for a brilliant 50th anniversary restoration of the soundtrack to Fiddler on the Roof. The long-running, Tony Award-winning musical was brilliantly adapted for the screen by producer/director Norman Jewison, with a command performance by Topol as the gregarious Jewish milkman Tevye. (Topol had opened the West End production in the role originated on Broadway by Zero Mostel.)  Virtuoso violinist Isaac Stern was the featured soloist.  Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock's songs were adapted for the screen by John Williams, a composer who had not yet taken his place in the pantheon of film score excellence. Fiddler was, in fact, the first big step by The Maestro in becoming the legend he remains today, earning him an Oscar for his adaptations (one of three trophies taken home by the film). Williams would, of course, win another four for JAWS, Star Wars, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Schindler's List, and is second only to Walt Disney for career Academy Award nominations. Matessino does the honors of producing, mixing and mastering Fiddler (with Williams' full approval, naturally), offering a triple-disc package that combines the original soundtrack with two discs of unreleased material: alternate versions (including early "playback" takes), unused songs, and Williams' original underscore. Here, Titus designs two booklets: one of Matessino's in-depth liner notes, and an additional program guide. Limited to 5,000 units, Fiddler starts playing (err, shipping) December 7.

A legend of the '80s and a new young face teamed up in 1994 for The Next Karate Kid, a continuation of the popular film series. Pat Morita returns as Mr. Miyagi, the karate sensei who guided Daniel LaRusso through three films in the '80s. This time, Miyagi comes to Boston to help an old friend's troubled granddaughter (an early performance by future Oscar winner Hilary Swank). While the film is the least-regarded of the series (and indeed, yet to be referenced in Netflix's popular Karate Kid sequel series Cobra Kai), returning composer Bill Conti brought a similar musical magic to his work on the original trilogy. Working with composer William Ross, Conti's The Next Karate Kid captures the spirit of the All-Valley Karate Tournament and Miyagi's irrepressible wisdom. Originally available in an out-of-print box set in 2007, this score now gets its own solo debut with additional alternate cues released for the first time. The disc is produced by Neil S. Bulk, mixed by Michael McDonald and mastered by Doug Schwartz; Dan Goldwasser designs the package with liner notes from

Ki, ki, ki, ma, ma, ma...those chilling sounds indicate a bloodthirsty rampage at Camp Crystal Lake, where some foolishly promiscuous counselors failed to prevent Jason Voorhees from meeting an untimely end in the lake. In Friday the 13th and its many sequels, an unknown force - perhaps Jason himself? - came back for revenge. Composer Harry Manfredini defined the sound of the slasher franchise in nearly all the films, and his work was well-covered by La-La Land in the 2010s thanks to a Friday the 13th box set and breakout reissues on CD. For the label's final package of the year, Friday the 13th: The Ultimate Cut offers fans new and old a special listen to Manfredini's score in a composer-approved, remixed, remastered and expanded stereo presentation, sourced from newly-discovered multitrack tapes in the Paramount vaults and including some unreleased material. Dan Goldwasser designs the package and co-produces with Brian Satterwhite, who contributes extensive liner notes to the package. Jerry Lambert mixes the score, James Nelson masters and Scott Saslow is the new cover artist. No quantities have been detailed, but the disc will start shipping December 7, with composer-autographed copies available while supplies last.

Writer-director Richard Curtis' 2003 Christmas-themed romantic comedy Love, Actually boasted an all-star ensemble including Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Alan Rickman, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney, and Rowan Atkinson.  Equally starry was its pop-oriented soundtrack featuring an eclectic array of voices including The Beach Boys, Joni Mitchell, Dido, Kelly Clarkson, and Norah Jones.  Craig Armstrong provided an equally evocative instrumental score which was also integral to the film, but his contributions were only briefly sampled on the best-selling soundtrack album.  Now, Armstrong's lush, symphonic work gets its turn in the spotlight with this CD premiere.  Produced by Neil S. Bulk with Mike Matessino as supervising producer for LLL, Love, Actually offers liner notes by Jeff Bond (drawing on quotes from the composer) in a Dan Goldwasser-designed package.  Its 33 tracks comprise the score plus bonus tracks including the original movie and soundtrack versions of "Christmas Is All Around" performed by Bill Nighy as Billy Mack.  Only four of the tracks have been previously released.  Love, Actually is limited to 2,000 units.

You'll find the track listings and order links for all five titles below.  And if you're looking to stay in a holiday mood, look no further than LLL's recent presentation of Dimitri Tiomkin's score to Frank Capra's timeless It's a Wonderful Life.  Limited to 2,000 units, this remastered 75th anniversary edition is shipping now directly from the label.

Alfred Newman, The Diary of Anne Frank: Limited Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1562, 2021 - original film released 1959)

Disc 1: Original album (1-9) and film score (10-23)

1. The Diary of Anne Frank (Overture)
2. Families in Hiding (The Secret Annex)
3. The First Day
4. The Captives - Spring is Coming
5. Ericka
6. Date with Peter
7. The First Kiss
8. The Dearness of You, Peter
9. Epilogue
10. Overture (Film Version)
11. Prelude
12. Return to Amsterdam
13. The Diary
14. Families in Hiding (The Secret Annex) (Film Version)
15. The First Day (Film Version)
16. The First Kiss (Film Version)
17. The Fur Coat
18. The First Burglary
19. The Nightmare
20. Anne and Mr. Frank
21. The Second Burglary
22. The Green Police
23. Act One Curtain

Disc 2: Film score continued (1-14) and additional music (15-21)

1. Entr'acte
2. January 1, 1944
3. A Question of Time
4. Date with Peter (Film Version)
5. Did You Ever Kiss a Girl?
6. The Kiss
7. The Captives - Spring is Coming (Film Version)
8. The Invasion
9. Peter and Anne
10. The Dearness of You, Peter (Film Version)
11. Farewell
12. Now We Can Live in Hope
13. Epilogue (Film Version)
14. Exit March
15. Prelude (Film Version)
16. Return to Amsterdam (Alternate Opening)
17. The Diary (Alternate Ending)
18. The Fur Coat (Alternate)
19. A Question of Timing (Alternate Opening)
20. Now We Can Live in Hope (Alternate)
21. The Diary (Wild Demo Record)

Disc 1, Tracks 1-9 released as 20th Fox Records SFX-3012, 1959. All other tracks previously unreleased

John Williams, Fiddler on the Roof: 50th Anniversary Remastered Limited Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1576, 2021 - original film released 1971)

Music and songs by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, adapted and conducted by John Williams. Violin solos by Isaac Stern

Disc 1: Remastered original soundtrack recording (released as United Artists Records UAS-10900, 1971)

1. Prologue and Tradition & Main Title
2. Matchmaker
3. If I Were a Rich Man
4. Sabbath Prayer
5. To Life
6. Miracle of Miracles
7. Tevye's Dream
8. Wedding Procession
9. Sunrise, Sunset
10. Wedding Celebration and The Bottle Dance
11. First Act Finale
12. Entr'acte
13. Do You Love Me?
14. Far from the Home I Love
15. Chava Ballet Sequence
16. The Rejection Scene
17. Anatevka
18. Finale

Disc 2: Alternate and Film Versions (previously unreleased)

1. Prologue and Tradition & Main Title (Alternate)
2. Matchmaker (Alternate)
3. If I Were a Rich Man (Alternate)
4. Sabbath Prayer (Alternate)
5. To Life (Alternate)
6. Miracle of Miracles (Alternate)
7. Tevye's Dream (Alternate)
8. Sunrise, Sunset (Alternate)
9. Wedding Celebration and The Bottle Dance (Alternate)
10. Any Day Now (Unused)
11. Do You Love Me? (Alternate)
12. Far from the Home I Love (Alternate)
13. Chava Ballet Sequence (Alternate)
14. The Rejection Scene (Instrumental)
15. Anatevka (Alternate)
16. Finale (Alternate)

Disc 3: Playbacks and Additional Score (previously unreleased)

1. Timpani Fanfare
2. Matchmaker (Playback Version)
3. If I Were a Rich Man (Playback Version)
4. Sabbath Prayer (Playback Version)
5. Tevye Thinks on It
6. To Life (Playback Version)
7. Street Scene and Riverbank
8. Perchik and Hodel Dance
9. Tevye's Monologue
10. Miracle of Miracles (Playback Version)
11. Chava Takes the Book
12. Dream Epilogue
13. Wedding Preparation
14. Wedding Procession (Playback Version)
15. Sunrise, Sunset (Playback Version)
16. The Cornfield - Tradition
17. Socio-Economic Relationship
18. Any Day Now (Playback Version)
19. Tevye's Rebuttal
20. Do You Love Me? (Playback Version)
21. Far from the Home I Love (Playback Version)
22. Russian Church
23. Anatevka (Playback Version)
24. Exodus (Excerpt)
25. Fiddler on the Roof (Instrumental)

Bill Conti, The Next Karate Kid: Limited Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1580, 2021 - original film released 1994)

* composed by William Ross ** includes score composed by William Ross

1. The Next Karate Kid
2. Regiment of Heroes
3. Julie Storms Out
4. Cops Chase Julie
5. Julie and Eric Meet
6. Trainyard Emotions
7. The Pizza Guy
8. Julie and Miyagi
9. Alphas Confront Julie
10. Julie Runs from Ned *
11. Gas Station Fight/Monk Headquarters/The Rock Garden
12. Dining with the Monks **
13. Julie-san Satori **
14. Training Montage
15. Zen Archery/Welcome Home, Julie
16. Rooftop Fight
17. Angel Flies
18. The Monks Arrive
19. Miyagi Tears
20. Bowling for Monks
21. The Alphas Drop In
22. The Alphas Clobber Eric
23. Julie's Fight **
24. Miyagi's Big Fight **
25. This Is My Country
26. Trainyard Emotions (Alternate)
27. Julie and Eric
28. Dining with the Monks (Alternate)
29. Julie-san Satori (Alternate)
30. Angel Flies (Alternate)
31. Julie's Fight (Alternate)
32. Miyagi's Big Fight (Alternate)

Tracks 1-24 released on Varese Sarabande box set VCL 0307 1059, 2007

Craig Armstrong, Love Actually: Limited Edition (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1581, 2021 - original film released 2003)

1. Opening Titles (from the Motion Picture Love Actually)
2. Christmas is All Around (Montage)
3. First Day
4. Natalie with Tea Trolley
5. In Love with Karl
6. Sam's Bedroom
7. On the Bench
8. I'm in Love
9. Total Agony
10. Saucy Minx/Aurelia Arrives
11. Bad Policies
12. Discovery of Kiss/Press Conference
13. Croissants in France
14. The Lake Scene
15. Saddest Part of Day
16. Glasgow Love Theme
17. PM  Redistributes Natalie
18. Jamie Leaves Aurelia
19. Sarah & Karl Go Wrong
20. Karen in Bed
21. Harry & Mia
22. Wrapping the Necklace
23. Natalie on the Stairs
24. Natalie At the School
25. Natalie Revealed/Karen Confronts Harry
26. Joanna Drives Off
27. Sam & Joanna
28. Portuguese Love Theme
29. Christmas is All Around (Film Version) - Billy Mack
30. Greenshoots
31. Restaurant Band
32. PM's Love Theme
33. Christmas is All Around (Soundtrack Version) - Billy Mack

Tracks 16, 28 and 32-33 previously released on Love Actually - The Original Soundtrack - Island (U.K.) 981 403-3, 2003

Harry Manfredini, Friday the 13th: The Ultimate Cut (La-La Land Records LLLCD 1584, 2021 - original film released 1980)

* previously unreleased ** contains previously unreleased material † contains unused material

1. Overlay of Evil
2. In the Barn/Main Title
3. Banjo Travelin' (Source)
4. Alice Goes to the Lake/The Arrow * †
5. Say, Isn't That the Road?/Jeepers/Annie Gets It
6. Transition to Lake * †/Brenda Sees Something ** †
7. Death of a Snake ** †
8. Ralph in the Pantry/Ralph Leaves
9. Hello, Can I Help You?
10. Ned in Bed/Don't Smoke in Bed!
11. Not Tonight Jack, I Have a Headache
12. Brenda in the Bathroom/Help Me/Brenda in Lights
13. The Bed Axe/The Light Flash/Lights Out
14. Alice on the Couch
15. Bill Hangs Around ** †
16. Run Alice, Run!
17. Brenda Drops In
18. I'm Mrs. Voorhees
19. Kill Her Mommy
20. No Place to Hide
21. Alice Hides in the Pantry * †/Pantry Fight
22. Alice Walks Along the Lake * †
23. Last Fight
24. Boat on the Water/Jason in the Lake
25. Final Shot * †
26. Ned Whistles (Alternate Source) * †
27. Värmlandsvisan (Guitar Source) * †
28. Ralph in the Pantry / Ralph Leaves (without Flanger) *
29. The Bed Axe (without Flanger) *
30. Jason Flashback Overlay *
31. Boat on the Water (Complete) *
32. Boat on the Water (Complete without Flanger) *
33. Sail Away Tiny Sparrow - Angela Rotella

Alternate mixes of portions previously released in La-La Land Records box set LLLCD 1183 and La-La Land Records album LLLCD 1228, 2012