For enthusiasts of film scores and the illustrious John Williams, FSM Silver Age Classics presents a remarkable discovery: the previously unreleased score from the 1967 comedy film, A Guide for the Married Man. This score offers a fascinating glimpse into a lesser-known facet of Williams’s early career, during a decade where he lent his musical genius to numerous comedies. While he navigated through varied comedic projects, from sophisticated capers like How to Steal a Million to less critically acclaimed works, A Guide for the Married Man, directed by Gene Kelly and starring Walter Matthau and Robert Morse, stands out as a genuinely hilarious endeavor.
In A Guide for the Married Man, Walter Matthau embodies Paul Manning, a character being schooled in the art of marital infidelity by his friend Ed Stander, portrayed by Robert Morse. Each lesson in navigating the treacherous waters of extramarital affairs is humorously brought to life through vignettes featuring an array of guest stars, including comedy legends like Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Art Carney, Carl Reiner, and Phil Silvers.
1967 marked a pivotal year in John Williams’s career trajectory. This was the year he began to broaden his horizons beyond Hollywood, undertaking projects in England such as the screen adaptations of Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as scoring notable TV movies like Heidi and Jane Eyre. These diverse experiences served as crucial stepping stones, paving the way for higher-profile assignments upon his return to the United States, including The Reivers and The Cowboys. Adding to the significance of this period, 1967 also witnessed the commencement of Williams’s enduring 25-year collaboration with orchestrator Herbert Spencer and was the last year he was credited as “Johnny” Williams on screen, signaling a transition to his more recognized professional name.
Williams’s score for A Guide for the Married Man is a showcase of the stylistic versatility he had cultivated over the preceding decade. It’s a rich tapestry woven with threads of goofy, faux-hip source music juxtaposed with grand orchestral arrangements, characterized by bold brass fanfares and his signature woodwind runs. The episodic structure of the film provided Williams with a unique canvas to display his burgeoning talent. Many of the “instruction” sequences, notably devoid of dialogue, are driven by Williams’s nuanced and expressive music, often featuring distinct melodies crafted specifically for each unique segment. Attentive listeners will discern musical motifs that foreshadow the grandeur of his scores for space operas and adventure films a decade later, alongside echoes of his earlier, stylized compositions reminiscent of Lost in Space.
Previously, the only available music from A Guide for the Married Man was the title song, famously performed by The Turtles. However, this CD release unveils Williams’s complete score in stereo, meticulously restored and arranged in a predominantly chronological order by Michael Matessino. It includes The Turtles’ rendition of the title song and a bonus section offering nearly 15 minutes of alternate takes and cues, including a previously unheard, humorous studio chorus version of the title song.
This album is not just an essential addition for John Williams completists; it also serves as an introduction to a somewhat overlooked piece in Williams’s extensive filmography for a wider audience. Moreover, it offers a captivating glimpse into the nascent stages of musical ideas that would later blossom into iconic themes in cinematic masterpieces ranging from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace.
