Just caught a MAGNIFICENT SEVEN trailer -- the original one, presumably -- on TCM today, and although the mid-section was scored with Elmer's iconic orchestral theme, to my astonishment the trailer opened and closed with a very hokey, robust title song, sung lustily by male chorus. It was like stepping into another dimension, an alternate history.
Was it better than "Mabel, I love you Mabel. Love you as much as I am able . . ." (the theme from "The Great Escape")?
Actually, the tune being sung in the above trailer doesn't seem to come from Elmer's score. Is it a pre-existing tune, or one written just for this trailer?
Wikipedia's entry on the movie has a very brief reference to it, but doesn't say where it came from: A vocal theme not written by Bernstein was used in a trailer.
Thanks, guys. If I wasn't clear in my original post, I heard no relation between the song and anything in Elmer's score, with or without lyrics. Apparently its origin remains a mystery, unless or until somebody in the know responds to this thread. (Siegerson, now that you've heard the trailer song, you tell me -- was it better than "Mabel"? )
Ugh, not liking the song for The Hunters or for The Magnificent Seven. I had no idea that The Magnificent Seven had a song in the trailer. When Bernstein's superb score kicks in during the trailer, life is sublime and perfect. It is such an amazing score!!
Chris Frayling observes in his film commentary that the repeated opening bars of the main theme are the syllables for "seven." Perhaps the trailer lyrics starting with "Seven, seven, seven!" recapitulates this literally, not musically.
Was it better than "Mabel, I love you Mabel. Love you as much as I am able . . ." (the theme from "The Great Escape")?
AAAAAAH, this reminds me of my favorite MABEL song! "Somehow the ceiling, seems a liitle higher, from the very moment I see Mabel come in the rooooooooom..."
Personally, I think "Bye Bye" isn't all that awkward, but rather fun. And, it's hard for anything to sound awkward with Sarah Vaughan singing it. (A cabaret singer friend of mine includes it in her repertoire.)
There is NO information on the song on either ASCAP or BMI - the only way you can find out is the cue sheets - they would have had to do one for the trailer.
) 
