The golden age of science fiction (Vol. 6)

Dragons Domain Records presents the sixth volume in our ongoing CD series, a double feature of monster-movie music from VALLEY OF DRAGONS (1961) and ISLAND OF TERROR (1967).

Ruby Raksin created an original orchestral score for VALLEY OF THE DRAGONS, a rare occurrence for a film produced on such a tight budget. Based on Jules Verne’s novel “Career of a Comet” (aka “Off on a Comet”), the movie’s setting was completely reworked around the reuse of footage from the 1940 version of ONE MILLION B.C., drastically changing the book’s story so that entire sequences could be lifted. Instead of people struggling to survive on a hostile new planet, our heroes appear to “time travel” into a prehistoric land where they encounter primitive tribes and dinosaurs.

The second film presented is Malcolm Lockyer’s score for ISLAND OF TERROR, starring Peter Cushing and Edward Judd who battle an army of creatures swarming over an island off the Irish coast. Director Terence Fisher (HORROR OF DRACULA) combines contemporary gothic horror with modern science gone horribly wrong as an attempt to find a cure for cancer accidentally unleashes a life-form with an insatiable taste for human and animal bones. The eerie, electronically-produced sound effects for the Silicates are included as bonus tracks. They were created by THUNDERBIRDS and SPACE: 1999 composer Barry Gray, who previously worked with Lockyer on the DR. WHO AND THE DALEKS feature film.

This album has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland. Exclusive liner notes by Starlog Magazine’s David Hirsch with soundtrack collector Sam Scali.

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.

VALLEY OF THE DRAGONS (1961 - Ruby Raksin)

01. Main Title (1:35)

02. Strangers in a Strange Land (3:14)

03. Neanderthals & Giant Creatures (3:33)

04. Living Like Cavemen (5:31)

05. Prehistoric Love (4:58)

06. Savage Attack (2:42)

07. A Romantic Swim (3:34)

08. Rescue from the Cave Dwellers (3:44)

09. Explosive Action / The Tribes Unite / Finale (2:38)

10. Valley Of The Dragons (1961) Theatrical Trailer (2:00)

ISLAND OF TERROR (1966 - Malcolm Lockyer)

11. Prologue and Main Title (2:08)

12. Strange Attacks & Odd Bodies (3:49)

13. Search By Air (1:54)

14. Checking The Lab (5:27)

15. Silicates Excape (1:24)

16. Calm Before the Storm (4:59)

17. Counterattack (4:08)

18. It’s Not The End (2:39)

19. Silicates FX* (0:56)

20. Silicates Divide FX* (0:44)

21. Silicate Army Assault FX* (0:56)

22. Island Of Terror (1966) Theatrical Trailer (2:29)

* - Sound Effects by Barry Gray

Total Time 66:04