Despite being musically-trained in Russia, master composer and
songwriter Dmitri Tiomkin was once described by Gig Young in a 1956 television
interview as having written “the most American-sounding tunes you and I have
ever heard.” Indeed, in the case of High Noon (one of the many Westerns under
his belt, along with the likes of Duel In The Sun, Giant, Rio Bravo and The Alamo),
he is largely credited with saving the film. After the picture was poorly
received at preview screenings, Tiomkin purchased the rights to the theme song,
The Ballad Of High Noon, which, released as a single with singer Frankie Laine
would become a worldwide hit, precipitating the film’s successful release and
later canonisation into the pantheon of classic Westerns. Tiomkin would also
enjoy associations with directors such as Frank Capra, King Vidor and Alfred
Hitchcock. Lauded for his ability to weave his orchestral scores to fit the
story, themes and visual presentation of a picture, Tiomkin is rightfully
considered one of the great film composers.
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