Press Release from Dragon's Domain:
Dragon’s Domain Records proudly presents the second volume in a new ongoing series of music from classic horror films from the Golden Age, featuring a trilogy of world premiere releases of music from THE SHUTTERED ROOM, THE DEATHHEAD VIRGIN and HAND OF DEATH.
Released in 1967, THE SHUTTERED ROOM tells the story of Susannah Whately Kelton, a woman raised in foster care (Carol Lynley) who discovers that her birth parents have died and left her their estate, located on Dunwich Island off the Massachusetts coast. When she and her husband (Gig Young) arrive there, they find the surrounding community to be leery of outsiders and steeped in local superstitions. Befriending her aunt Agatha (Flora Robson), the young wife is cautioned against rebuilding the old mill, where a shuttered attic room contains a horror from her childhood.
The music for THE SHUTTERED ROOM was composed by Basil Kirchin. Kirchin was born in Blackpool, England in August, 1927. He began his professional career at the age of 13 playing drums in his father Ivor’s big band orchestra during the second World War. Kirchin continued working within the genre until the late 1950s, when the public’s musical tastes shifted to rock & roll.
Released in 1962, HAND OF DEATH tells the story of scientist Alex March (John Agar), who is determined to develop a nerve agent that will safely paralyze enemy troops and render them susceptible to counter commands. When a local man is unwittingly exposed at a test site and recovers without ill effects, March recklessly plows ahead to perfect the formula. Accidentally getting the powerful liquid on his hands, he begins to mutate into a hulking monster whose mere touch can kill...
The score for HAND OF DEATH was provided by Joseph Francis Burke, known professionally as “Sonny.” Sonny was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and after a year playing football at the University of Detroit, he transferred to Duke University where he created and led a big band jazz orchestra. By the 1950s, he began to write songs for several Disney features and short-subjects, most notably LADY AND THE TRAMP, which featured the voice of Peggy Lee.
Released in 1973, The plot of THE DEATHHEAD VIRGIN centers on the search for lost treasure on a sunken 1850s Spanish man o’ war hidden within a reef. Predictably, there’s a curse involved that threatens anyone who dares to search for the lost booty. However, this doesn’t prevent a pair of American salvagers (Gaynor and Ward) from making an attempt. Entering the wreck, Ward forces his way into a locked cabin, where he discovers a female skeleton with flowing black hair chained to the deck. The removal of jewels from the corpse sets in motion the revival of a vengeful virgin princess, who had been captured and brutally raped by the conquistadors a century before...
The music for THE DEATHHEAD VIRGIN was composed by Richard W. (aka, “Dick”) LaSalle (1918-2015). Born in Louisville, Colorado, LaSalle wrote music for local radio while performing in area hotels. His film scoring career began in 1958 with TANK BATTALION, and within two short years he was churning out multiple scores on a regular basis, nine each per year in 1961 and 1962 alone. Eventually, his musical talents caught the ear of producer Irwin Allen, who engaged him to score many made-for-TV movies including CITY BENEATH THE SEA, ADVENTURES OF THE QUEEN, FLOOD!, FIRE! and the mini-series THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN NEMO.
This second volume in Dragon’s Domain Records series of classic horror films has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland, featuring exclusive liner notes by Starlog Magazine’s David Hirsch with Sam Scali on the music featured on the album.
SPECIAL NOTE: These recordings were originally taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks and therefore certain limitations from the source tapes may be evident. We have tried to preserve as closely as possible, the quality of the original recordings.
