Well “The Searchers”
starring John Wayne, may be an old 1950's action/drama movie. It
still comprises the essential elements that make movies well known
even after their time. This western Gem, includes soothing music, action
sound(gun fighting) and civilized dialog. The background music was relaxing, something that you could listen to while riding a horse in
open terrain. The sound of gun-fire makes you pay close attention to
every action scene. More interesting is the dialog used between the
actors. The language was very civil and family like. Of course, in
today's movie films, the elements of dialog, sound and music, have
changed significantly. It is always educational to take a look behind
the history curtain to acknowledge the path taken by modern day
films.
A good indication of a blockbuster movie is one in which the
“soundtrack” of the movie is purchased. I remember buying
the soundtrack from “From Dusk till Dawn”. It had some
marvelous music tracks. This type of “music” really
enhanced the movie. As in the movie “The searchers”, the
music used was more instrumental, played by violins, banjos and
orchestras. It had a unique travel feel to it. When you hear music of
such format, you immediately picture an individual riding along on a
horse or wagon. It feels very peaceful, almost makes you want to have
a picnic with the family.
When it came to the action scenes, that travel-like music turned into
heavy orchestra. When a dramatic scene happens, you sometimes here
that “tau-duh!!!” sound. Then a “winding down”
tune when one of the actors gets shot and dies. Though in modern
movies, you rarely hear that “tau duh!!!” sound. In
this move it was very dramatic. Once you hear that “tau-duh!!!”,
the response is, “oh no, they got him”. I can recall some
other famous western movies that used hard orchestra for dramatic
scenes. It confirms something bad went down. “Any good filmmaker
knows how important music is to the success of a film”
(Goodykoontz
& Jacobs 2011, Heading:Sound effects, section: music).
With the right touch of music, at the right time, can make all the
difference.
I am more of an action fanatic. When I think western genres, I think
of revolving pistols firing. BANG!!!, BANG!!! Cowboys
riding by on horses with their pistols spitting out thin smoke to
indicate the exiting of bullets was exciting. Come to think of it,
some of that gun firing did sound like small fire crackers. That is
my best guest. I also noticed that the sound of gun-fire used in
similar western films were almost identical. Perhaps an accepted
standard. “In addition to sound recordings made for individual
movies, there are certain stock sound effects that editors use over
and over. These may be nature sounds, mechanical noises, and door
creaks” (Goodykoontz
& Jacobs 2011, Heading:Sound effects, section: popular sound
effects). Anytime I hear that
particular gun-popping sound, I am thinking old 1950s or 1960s
western classic.
Aside from the music and sound effects, the dialog used with the
actors was civil. In fact, there are some western movies that have
little action and emphasis more dialog. The tone and level of the
actors' language were of polite and civil manner. There was this
“respect your elders” tune to the conversations. When an
elder is greeted, they are referred to politely by their first name
following a Mr., Uncle, or Aunt. In today's language, addressing
someone by their Sir name is recommended. “Instead of using a
formal, theatrical style, many films more closely reflected everyday
speech of their times” (Goodykoontz
& Jacobs 2011, Heading: Dialog).
This movie was made in 1956, but the time setting was set in 1868.
Perhaps, this was how society conversed with each other at that time.
Not sure if a movie could make it without the use of sound, music and
dialog. The audience not only want to see the action but hear and
feel it as well. These three elements help the audience connect and
enjoy the movie more deeply. Silent movies are a thing of the past.
Today's movies are made with surround sound, HD quality images and edge of
your seat action effects. As best as they can, movies let us live the fantasy life.
Citation
of reading material used
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P.
(2011). Film: from watching to seeing. San Diego, CA:
Bridgepoint Education, Inc. This text is a Constellation™ course
digital materials (CDM) title.
Youtube
links to 1950's Western Films that similar sounds
Music from some of the most famous
western films
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-cHcdMPWgM&list=PLABFB5F94C45213B9
Sounds of gun-fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8gPh3vjs6U
Dialogs from western films of the 1950s and 60s
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