DESERT FURY

Rozsa fans take delight! Rare 1947 soundtrack finally surfaces and is worth the wait! Desert Fury was one of Burt Lancaster's first three pictures (all scored by Rozsa!) but remains the most obscure. Hal Wallis produces, Lewis Allen directs, Robert Rossen scripts, Burt Lancaster stars with Lizabeth Scott, John Hodiak, Mary Astor and then-newcomer Wendell Corey. Filmed outdoors on gorgeous Arizona locations in Technicolor but centering on "noir" complications of a small-town love triangle, Rozsa imbues his masterful score with both dark-edged overtones of drama and soaring ideas for locale. At center is Rozsa's signature, angular thematic "noir" style but he affords several splendid, emotionally rich elements in beautiful balance. As with our release of Rozsa's The Lost Weekend, this CD was made possible courtesy Paramount Pictures release of 35mm transfers of the optical music tracks made many years ago but only recently discovered. Almost all of the score survived in excellent condition, save approximately ten minutes of material lost to the ages. In balance, however, some eight minutes of never-before-heard alternates did survive those seven decades! A total of 56 minutes of powerhouse Rozsa now available for the first time ever! Part of Paramount Picture's ongoing Historical CDs preservation efforts. Artwork courtesy Universal Pictures. Informative liner notes from Frank K. DeWald, colorful graphic design by Joe Sikoryak. Eugene Zador orchestrates, Miklos Rozsa conducts. Intrada Special Collection CD available while quantities and interest remain!