The Goldsmith Odyssey

In this episode, we turn to the small screen for a look at the classic TV legal drama Perry Mason. Your humble hosts Jens, Yavar, and Clark explore two episodes scored by Jerry Goldsmith: the jewelry-themed mystery "The Case of the Blushing Pearls" (featuring an Asian-inspired score built around a gorgeous central melody) and the convention-breaking "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma" (which offers a more noirish score that both echoes City of Fear and previews Chinatown). Are these episodes and scores hidden gems? We examine the evidence and offer a verdict!

The Work: Jerry Goldsmith: The Early Years, Volume 1 (at Screen Archives), Perry Mason: Season 3 - Volume 1 (at the CBS Store)

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In this episode, we take a look at another Goldsmith-scored western: the 1959 Fred MacMurray vehicle Face of a Fugitive. Your humble hosts Jens, Yavar, and Clark discuss the simple pleasures of this conventional yet competent film, and explore some of the highlights of Goldsmith's melodic, entertaining score (including a flexible central motif, a memorably melancholy secondary theme, a delicate love theme, and some thrilling action cues). As a prelude to that discussion, we offer a brief look at the flavorful "Toccata for Solo Guitar," the first concert piece of Goldsmith's career. Climb aboard the train and enjoy the ride!

The Work: Face of a Fugitive on Archive.org, Contemporary Creations for Spanish Guitar on Discogs

In Depth: Yavar's liner notes for Face of a Fugitive

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In this episode, your humble hosts Jens, Yavar, and Clark take a look at the second feature film scoring assignment of Jerry Goldsmith's career: the lean, gritty 1959 noir City of Fear. We discuss the way this paranoia-filled film reflects the anxieties of its era, and examine the ways it falls short despite its striking premise. Additionally, we dive into Jerry Goldsmith's intense, jagged score, noting the ways in which Goldsmith's music works overtime to elevate otherwise mundane scenes. Finally, we dip into the mailbag and take a few moments to respond to some thoughtful listener feedback. Don't worry: this episode isn't dangerous, merely addictive.

The Work: City of Fear on Intrada

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In our first regular-format episode, we invite you to join us for an exploration of the 1957 western Black Patch, starring George Montgomery, Leo Gordon, Diane Brewster, Tom Pittman, and Sebastian Cabot. Your humble hosts Jens, Yavar, and Clark discuss the ways in which this low-budget western succeeds and struggles in its efforts to buck formula. Black Patch also bears the important distinction of being the first feature film to be scored by Jerry Goldsmith, who takes a deceptively intelligent psychological approach to the material. We explore some of his assorted thematic ideas and standout musical moments, including a dynamic action piece and a genuinely gorgeous romantic sequence. Saddle up and enjoy!

Note: Clark and Yavar are still learning how to use computers. Please be aware of this before writing us about the audio quality of this episode.

The Work: Black Patch on Warner Archive

In Depth: Yavar's liner notes for Black Patch

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In this introductory episode, your humble hosts Jens, Yavar and Clark offer thoughts on why we chose Goldsmith as a subject and what we're hoping to accomplish over the course of this series. Additionally, we dig into some of Goldsmith's most notable early radio and television work: the poetry-themed radio program 1489 Words (an episode of the anthology series The CBS Radio Workshop), Gore Vidal's TV adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (an episode of the anthology series Climax!) and the first three episodes of the western radio drama Frontier Gentleman. Don't miss this informative and entertaining prelude to a grand podcast adventure!

The Work: Frontier Gentleman - All 41 Episodes, CBS Radio Workshop Episodes

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