Yet again, I take another movie notable for its soundtrack, in this case Hal Ashby's 1971 classic HAROLD AND MAUDE, and give you a musical play by play:
This
particular film, an all-time favorite of mine, is especially notable because it features just one artist (Cat
Stevens) much like Mike Nichols’ THE GRADUATE had Simon and Garfunkel guiding
the way through its narrative. For some reason, HAROLD AND MAUDE's excellent soundtrack wasn't released in America, but there was a 1972 Japanese release on A & M Records.
The
film begins with Harold Chasen (Bud Cort) preparing to hang himself in the
elegant din of his mother’s mansion.
With his face hidden from view, Harold puts on a record on an old-style phonograph. It is "Don't Be Shy" by
Cat Stevens. As this a song not on any Cat Stevens record - written for the
film no less - Harold is very privileged.
Next up, "On The Road To Find Out"
accompanies and introduces Harold's funeral fetish - we see him purchase a new hearse and attend a stranger's service at a large cemetery where he first takes note of Maude (Ruth Gordon) who's eating an apple.
Following that, "I Wish, I Wish"
takes us from the film's first funeral scene to Harold screeching his hearse into the driveway of his family's mansion to the disapproving looks from his mother (Vivian Pickles) and her guests.
"Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto #1" (performer
unknown according to IMDB) plays as another Haorld suicide attempt - drowning
face down in a pool as his mother nonchalantly swims laps.
Stevens' stirring "Miles
From Nowhere" sets another funeral scene - this one rain drenched.
As
that tune fades, the congregation exits the cemetery with Maude and her
bright yellow umbrella leading the way while "Tea For The Tillerman" plays.
Another spiritual Stevens song - "I
Think I See The Light" lifts us away from Harold's successful sabotage of
his mother's dating set-up to Maude's artistic nude modeling.
As
Harold and Maude (Ruth Gordon) get acquainted "Where Do The Children
Play" - another passionate Cat tune sets the tone.
Instrumental snatches
from it play over the next few scenes.
Back at her place - after an emotional
moment concerning Maude’s mysterious past our protagonists engage in a
sing-a-long of “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” on Maude’s player piano
which amusingly plays after she gets up to dance. Like "Don't Be Shy"
this song was written for the movie and is definitely its unofficial theme
song. A piano version sans vocal decorates the next scene as Harold’s mother presents
him with a new Jaguar.
Johann
Strauss’s "On The Beautiful Blue Danube” (again, performer unknown)
accompanies a sweet night time close dance by Harold and Maude again at her
place. “If You Want To Sing Out…” again serenades our movie couple in a montage
involving Harold’s Jaquar, which is now souped-up Hearse-style, tooling down roads through the
countryside, our charming couple dancing and frolicking in the sun, then nicely
concluding with a tender moment in a junk-yard at dusk.
The energetic jamming
finish of "I Think I See The Light" which faded out earlier now
emerges again to illustrate Harold's now consumated relationship with Maude.
In
morning light coming through the window of Maude's abode Harold, in a love-daze
blows bubbles while she sleeps. Another instrumental of "If You Want To
Sing Out..." now played on a banjo punctuates Harolds confident walk away
from his Mother's bedroom after telling her that he intends to marry Maude.
"Trouble" powerfully fills out the final sequence which cuts back and
forth from Harold in Jaquar/Herse recklessly driving the winding roads of
previous scenes and the ambulance drive and Maude's admittance to the hospital
on the night of her death - unbearably untimely in Harold's eyes.
A
reprise of “If You Want To Sing Out...” takes us through the end credits right
after a now newly inspired Harold plucks a few chords on his Banjo - a gift
from Maude - right after discarding the Herse/Jaquar - a gift from his mother -
in a particularly dramatic fashion.
More later...
