Fantastic Voyage, Fantastic Letters

by Lukas Kendall

Here are some satisfied customers regarding our new Fantastic Voyage CD (1966, Leonard Rosenman). Thanks to all who took the time to write in!

From: Chris Kinsinger <76263.2355@compuserve.com>

The complete history of Music for the Movies will probably record the voice of Leonard Rosenman as an insignificant peep. But those historians would be wrong.

The FSM Silver Age CD presentation of "Fantastic Voyage" will be the chief evidence in the Case for the Defense.

"Fantastic Voyage" is not an "easy listen", nor does it have a "tune" to carry. But it is an intelligent and complex musical composition of great importance to filmmusic as a whole.

Lukas Kendall and Jeff Bond have produced a long-absent and quite worthy addition to any collection of film music.

"Fantastic Voyage" features not only memorable music from the film, but a beautifully produced booklet with a great commentary on the film by Jeff bond. AND fabulous color photos which I am viewing for the very first time. There's even a cool shot of the PROTEUS on the CD itself!

This is a fabulous CD! Thank you Jeff & Lukas! OR Lukas & Jeff! Whichever you prefer...

From: Larry Deming <ldeming01@snet.net>

I have ordered the FV CD and anxiously await! I saw the movie only once about 30 years ago when I was about 11. My Dad brought my older brother and me to the opening of a theatre for a free midnight screening of Fantastic Voyage. That was a real adventure--if the CD can bring back an inkling of that experience, I'll be very happy!

From: Astros34@aol.com

You recently said:

"By the way, nobody has talked about Fantastic Voyage to the denizens of rec.music.movies, and we're sore... spread the word so we can do more of these CDs. "

I have read at least a dozen informal reviews, all VERY positive, on rec.music.movies. I am awaiting my next credit card billing cycle to make my purchase, so have patience. The word is spreading, and the word is EXCELLENT!

I did notice that, and thank the people who posted on rec.music.movies shortly after I whined about it. We really need you to spread the word and support the series.

From: "Shold, Kyle" <kyles@humongous.com>

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the movie. And that the only reason I even bought your new CD of Fantastic Voyage was to support your excellent label. What I'm happy to say is that I'm extremely pleased with this release. As usual the cover and inlay are designed very well. The very best part of all your releases (next to the music) is the liner notes. All that information is a wonderful. And now the music. It's excellent! Very entertaining and interesting. I'm finding that I'm listening to this disc quite often. The sound FX track isn't my cup of tea but I respect the fact that you were trying to recreate the feeling of this movie. "Fantastic" job guys!

I also purchased Nick Redman's production of The Wild Bunch. This is such an exciting score and so well produced. And since I don't own a LD player I would never get the boxed set. FSM releasing this disc separately is a real treat. And thanks to Mr. Redman for all his hard work in producing this disc along with all the other countless film scores that he has labored to release. Job well done.

From: Robert Griffin <GRIFFINR@wmich.edu>

This is just a quick message to let you know that I received my copies of "Taking of Pelham One Two Three" and "Fantastic Voyage" and that I enjoyed both immensely. My reason for buying these particular discs is because I also like both movies quite a bit.

The "Voyage" score is a terrific atonal work, which makes me want to watch the film again (I haven't seen it in years). The sound effects at the beginning are pretty awesome, too. But the real winner is "Pelham". That gets my vote for all time "coolest" score. The twelve-tone mixed with the '70s funk was just plain (to quote Ash) "Groovy!" While watching the film, I knew the score rocked, but hearing it isolated just proves how amazing it really is.

I also appreciate how fast you sent the albums out. None of this "six to eight weeks for delivery" crap! Send the order out Monday and get it on Saturday. Now that's service!

So thanks for the great discs and keep up the good work.

From: Kevin F Dick <baleywik@tgn.net>

Received CDs in the mail today. Ripped open the package and played it immediately. Packaging concept: excellent. Sound quality: as good as it gets for 1966. The music: as great as I remembered it. I think it stands up well away from the film. It represents everything I've always liked in Rosenman. Lenny rips and he like Mark Snow to boot! It doesn't get any better than that!! Keep it up, you busy guys at FSM. Your best production yet. More, more!!!

From: "bill cooke" <bill_cooke@hotmail.com>

I can't thank you enough for the FANTASTIC VOYAGE CD! For many years this outstanding, modernistic "symphony of the inner universe" was number one on my soundtrack want list, but I gave up long ago, assuming I was utterly alone in my high opinion of it.

My only disappointment in your CD came with the liner notes. Jeff Bond, in his essay on the film's weaknesses, wonders about the fate of the sub and why it doesn't grow larger and destroy the host.

The script does address this potential logistical problem. In a dialogue scene, we learn that as soon as the sub and crew start to grow after the 60 minute deadline, the body's defense mechanisms will sense the danger and devour them before they can pose any real threat. So the characters' final conflict in the third act isn't about whether they'll kill their host, it's about whether they can escape before their host kills them!

Bill sent another response shortly after the above:

From: "bill cooke" <bill_cooke@hotmail.com>

In reply to my own letter about the fate of the Proteus in FANTASTIC VOYAGE, it didn't occur to me that the dissolved particles of the Proteus (a microscopic piece of metal and glass) might still be able to grow and cause a threat. If so, then I regret having criticized Mr. Bond's views. Thanks, guys, for giving me a king-sized headache just thinking about this!

From: Robert Berens <Berensb@svg.com>

I'm just now listening to the Fantastic Voyage soundtrack which I bought (and got signed!) at Creature Features last Saturday. At this risk of being redundant, it is FANTASTIC! The mastering, the artwork, and the notes are top-notch.

The music itself in isolation from the dialog/effects tracks is a revelation. I can easily hear many of the subtleties Mr. Rosenman had in his cues and can appreciate even more how it adds to the film.

Isn't Mr. Rosenman a jewel? He responded to all of those who talked to him (O.K, I did some eavesdropping) with just the right touch. I'm glad I met him.

We had a great time on Oct. 3 at Creature Features with Leonard signing CDs. Thanks to everyone who came!

From: "David S. Hirsch" <dhirsch918@earthlink.net>

I can't help but be a little proud that after all these years, people still comment on my interview with Leonard Rosenman that I did for STARLOG. Even Joel Goldsmith told me he made a point of getting his father to read it.

And now, here it is again on FILM SCORE MONTHLY's always fascinating web page. However, I don't want people to get the idea that it was my plan to paint an unflattering picture of Leonard, whom I still think fondly of.

We first met prior to his start on RoboCop 2 and I was instantly charmed by his enthusiasm for the project. Imagine my surprise when, months later, I did the interview and he completely slammed the film (not an opinion I couldn't disagree with) and many others he had worked on.

His quotes in STARLOG were not cut down, so I don't think I didn't allow him to explain his position properly. Certainly, having interviewed Basil Poledouris only a short time earlier made me somewhat uncomfortable with his quotes, but I felt I had to be honest and give Leonard a chance to speak his mind.

Do I think he is an awful person. Absolutely not! But the I truly feel the interview presented a fair and accurate depiction of an artist who is unwilling to compromise his talents to appease others. A Leonard Rosenman score IS a Leonard Rosenman score and not a clone of anyone else.

If Leonard is anything, I suspect by our pre-RoboCop 2 brunch, he is a man who puts all his heart into a commission only to have his dreams crushed by those in control who are less imaginative.

I ordered a Fantastic Voyage because I really do appreciate talents of that lovable old curmudgeon!

MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com