Destination Gobi

Rousing treat for fifties film score fans! World premiere release of Sol Kaplan 1953 soundtrack for Robert Wise WWII adventure with Richard Widmark, Don Taylor, set in desert with U.S. naval forces joining Mongols to battle Japanese. Kaplan creates dramatic score by developing two major themes, one a striking original idea in Lydian mode, the other a recurring use of traditional Navy hymn "Anchors Away". Two melodies sometimes work independently, sometimes work in tandem, creating unusual meld of original scoring with familiar tunes. Adding to orchestral fabric is rousing, agitated motif for Mongols & desert locale. Bring in unparalleled conducting talent of Alfred Newman, end up with a terrific war movie soundtrack. Entire score is presented in mono from original 35mm optical elements stored in splendid condition in 20th Century Fox vaults. Extras section of CD reprises handful of cues surviving in stereo. Nick Redman spearheads production, Julie Kirgo writes liner notes. Welcome addition to growing library of soundtracks by Sol Kaplan! Alfred Newman conducts. Intrada Special Collection release limited to 1000 copies!

Tracklist

THE ALBUM: 

01. Gobi 2:20 
02. Assignment 1:04
03. The First Meeting 1:30
04. The Mongols 2:42 
05. The Other Men 1:50
06. The Tent 1:18
07. Delivery 2:18
08. Mongolian Cavalry 1:16
09. Mongolian Funeral Chant 1:31
10. The Trek Begins 1:12
11. The Desert 1:08
12. Oasis 4:05 
13. USN Camels / Sabatello 1:37
14. Kengtu's March 1:53
15. Heat 1:24
16. Sangchien 0:55
17. Chinese Wedding Parade 1:00 18. The Temple 1:03
19. Spies 1:12 
20. Friends 2:11 
21. And So We Leave Gobi 0:51 

THE EXTRAS: 

22. Mongolian Funeral Chant (alt) 1:31
23. Gobi Part 1 (stereo) 1:09 
24. Delivery (stereo) 2:18
25. Mongolian Cavalry (stereo) 1:17
26. Voices (stereo) 0:40
27. USN Camels (stereo) 1:11
28. And So We Leave Gobi (stereo) 0:54