For enthusiasts of film scores and the legendary John Williams, a treasure has been unearthed: the previously unreleased score from the 1967 film, A Guide for the Married Man. This comedic gem, directed by Gene Kelly and featuring Walter Matthau and Robert Morse, offered Williams a unique canvas during his formative Hollywood years. While he navigated diverse projects, from the sophisticated How to Steal a Million to the less successful John Goldfarb, Please Come Home, A Guide for the Married Man stood out for its sheer comedic brilliance, perfectly complemented by Williams’ versatile musical talents.
1967 marked a pivotal juncture in John Williams’ illustrious career. This year preceded his significant forays into international projects, including screen musicals in England like Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Fiddler on the Roof, alongside notable TV movies such as Heidi and Jane Eyre. These ventures served as crucial stepping stones, propelling him towards higher-profile assignments upon his return to the United States, starting with The Reivers and The Cowboys. Furthermore, 1967 witnessed the inception of his enduring 25-year collaboration with orchestrator Herbert Spencer and was the last time he was credited as “Johnny” Williams, signaling a transition to the more formal “John Williams.”
The score for A Guide for the Married Man is a captivating showcase of the stylistic breadth Williams had cultivated in the preceding decade. It’s a delightful compilation ranging from whimsical, almost parodic source music to grand orchestral arrangements characterized by bold brass fanfares and his signature woodwind flourishes. The film’s episodic structure provided Williams with an exceptional platform to display his burgeoning genius. Many of the film’s instructional vignettes, devoid of dialogue, rely entirely on Williams’ exquisitely nuanced music to convey their narrative. Intriguingly, many of these sequences are graced with their own distinct melodies, tailored to the unique scenarios presented. Keen listeners will detect nascent musical ideas that would later blossom into iconic themes in space operas and adventure films a decade later. There are also echoes reminiscent of his earlier, stylized compositions from Lost in Space, offering a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of his signature sound.
Previously, the only available music from A Guide for the Married Man was the title song, famously performed by The Turtles. However, a new CD release now unveils Williams’ complete score in stereo. Meticulously restored and sequenced in a predominantly chronological order by Michael Matessino, this release includes not only the full score but also The Turtles’ title song. As a special bonus, it features nearly 15 minutes of珍贵 material, including damaged or unused cues and alternate takes. Among these gems is a hilarious, previously unheard rendition of the title song performed by a studio chorus, adding an extra layer of delight for collectors and fans.
This album is not merely a treat for the John Williams completist, filling a significant gap in his discography. It also serves as an entry point for a wider audience to discover a somewhat overlooked film in Williams’ vast filmography. More importantly, it provides a compelling glimpse into the genesis of musical concepts that would later achieve global recognition in cinematic masterpieces ranging from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace. Rediscovering this score offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the early brilliance of a composer who would shape the sound of modern cinema.
