SWINGING SINGLES
Many films never had soundtracks released. With a little luck they may have had a couple of tunes on an EP or a 45 back in the 60s, but that only makes them harder to find now. Recent collections have included some of these treasures and of course there are always the used bins... (Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have information about something that should be included here.)
"Operation Kid Brother" (1967) Before he score by Ennio Morricone was released on CD (2004) two versions of the theme, sung by Christy were available only on a couple of very rare, 45s. One in English, which goes for hundreds of dollars, and one in Italian. (click on the album to compare the lyrics.)
Fortunately, the Italian version turned up as a bonus track on this CD of the "Danger Diabolik" (1968) soundtrack. It has completely different lyrics than the English version. (click on the album to compare the lyrics.)
Daniela Bianchi took the lead in "Operation Lady Chaplin" (1966). The theme was performed by Bobby Solo, the "Italian Elvis" and was released on 45 only in Europe and Brazil.
"It Takes A Thief" (1968-70) starred Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy. The theme by Dave Grusin is fantastic, but was only released on 45. Unfortunately, it is not the cool version from the show. It has a sort of 70's feel that doesn't quite cut it. However, the B side has a version of Name Of The Game that is quite good! The pilot episode, "Thief" had a different theme by Benny Carter which can be found on on of the T.V.Tunes CDs; "Television's Greatest Hits, Vol.5: In Living Color". Luckily it is not one of the abbreviated or synthesized versions the TV Tunes collections are known for.
For years the theme to "Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine" (1965) by the Supremes was rumored to be on an expensive promo 45, but now it's included on a velvet covered, 4 CD Supremes box set.
The only tune released for the Dean Martin film, "The Ambushers" (1967) was on the B side of this single from Boyce and Hart. It may be included on a Boyce and Hart CD.
Bulldog Drummond made a couple of appearances in the 60's as a secret agent in "Deadlier Than The Male" (1966) with a fantastic title theme performed by Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers (on several compilation CDs) and.....
"Some Girls Do" (1969), performed by Lee Vanderbilt (sounding a lot like Johnny Mathis). This one is harder to find. Only a 45 as far as I know.
Before he was James Bond, David Niven played Harry Love in "Where The Spies Are" (1965). The title theme and one other track with some groovy organ work by Jimmy Smith are included on this 2 CD Mario Nasciembene anthology.
For years Sammy Davis Jr.'s theme to "The Second Best Secret Agent In The Whole Wide World" (1965) was only available on a very rare promotional Reprise 45, but now it's included on this new compilatation CD titled, "Where Is Love" however it's slightly different and I think it was a rejected alternate take.
A Japanese 45 was released with an instrumental of the "Main Theme" and "Charles Vine's theme" (just the main theme slowed down) on the B side.
The theme to the sequel, "Where the Bullets Fly" (1966), written by Ron Bridges, Bob Kingston and sung by Susan Maughan can be found on this Susan Maughan collection.
The score for "Maroc 7" (1967) was written by Kenneth V. Jones, but some party music and the tune "Maroc 7" were done by Paul Ferris . Maroc 7 is a great tune, but unfortunately, no releases as far as I know. Several Shadows collections however have their cover version of Maroc 7 which is not bad.
"Our Man From R.O.M.E." is a collection of music from Italian spy and crime soundtracks already available with one exception. The vocal of the title theme to "Upperseven" (1965) performed by Betty Curtis for the film has been lost. It's not even included on the Upperseven soundtrack. The producers of the CD took one of Bruno Nicolai's instrumental tracks and had singer Sabina Montes re-do the vocals. Exquisite!
Roma Rave Up is a collection of 60's Italian rock singles and includes 'Cupidation" by The Bumpers which was the theme to one of the Stuart Granger spy flicks, "Target For Killing" (1966).
"Spy Magazine Presents Spy Music Vol. 1" Is a fantastic Compilation on the Rhino label. You get some hard to find titles like "Come Spy With Me" (1967) from the Troy Donahue film performed by Smokey Robinson And The Miracles, the single version of "The Silencers" (1966) by Vicci Carr, "The Last Of The Secret Agents" (1966) by Nancy Sinatra, and even Barbara Feldon's "99". Other titles are more common, but well worth having. Unfortunately, the other two discs in their Spy Music series are not film themes.
If we reach into the 70's a little we find John Barry's theme to "The Persuaders" (1971-72) starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis on LP and CD.
Another John Barry theme, "The Adventurer" (1972-73) which starred Gene Barry yet again as a rich guy having adventures can be found on this CD collection, "The Best Of John Barry" along with "Orson Welles' Great Mysteries". (Not a spy show, but you might want it anyway.)