Two Classic Movie Themes by Alfred Newman “Street Scene” (1931) and the “Ann Rutledge Theme” (1939) (Recordings)

Alfred Newman was one of the founders of the notorious Newman Gang of composers (Lionel, Randy, Thomas, et al.). For many years, he held the record for the most Oscar nominations for composing, and still holds the record for the most Oscars for music, with nine.

People in the business consider some of his pieces so quintessential and haunting that they have re-used them again and again, “Street Scene” above all.

1946 Alfred Newman: “Street Scene”

By the78prof

This familiar instrumental theme was written by famed motion picture composer Alfred Newman in 1931 as part of his very first complete score for the movies. The film was King Vidor’s atmospheric New York City drama Street Scene, produced for Samuel Goldwyn and based upon the Pulitzer Prize winning stage play of 1929.

The tune was later used behind the opening credits of several well-known film noir features during the 1940s, though its most memorable placement was as the wide-screen Technicolor prelude/overture to 20th Century Fox’s 1953 Cinemascope hit “How To Marry A Millionaire,” a filmed concert performance with Fox music chief Newman conducting the studio orchestra.

Transferred from the original 78rpm: Majestic 20017 - Street Scene (Sentimental Rhapsody) (Newman-Adamson) by Alfred Newman & his Orchestra, recorded September 1946

N.S.: When Newman scored Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) for John Ford, he composed the “Ann Rutledge Theme,” as a leitmotiv for the Great Heart’s (Henry Fonda) great love, who died young of typhoid.

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939): “Ann Rutledge’s Theme”

That theme made such an impression on Ford that he brought it back in his last great picture, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962).

In Liberty, Hallie (Vera Miles) is engaged to rancher Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), but leaves him for his new friend, Ranse Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart). Yet she never falls out of love with Tom.

The picture begins just after Doniphon’s death. Senator and Mrs. Stoddard come to town for the first time since leaving, for his funeral. Doniphon’s ranch house was overgrown with cactus blossoms. Ford plays the “Ann Rutledge Theme,” as Mrs. Hallie Stoddard has an old friend (Andy Devine) pick a cactus blossom for Tom Doniphon’s coffin.

youtube poster dundreary claims this theme was based on the song “When the Dew is on the Bloom” (1850). However, neither of us has been able to corroborate his claim.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)