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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRAKSIN, David(b 4 August 1912, Philadelphia; d 9 August 2004) Prolific composer of nearly 100 film scores '37-89. He arranged Chaplin's music for Modern Times '36 and wrote the hit title theme for Laura '44; the whole score for Laura, about a man who falls in love with a ghost, was based on the theme, which virtually became part of the plot. His scores for Forever Amber '47 and Separate Tables '58 were nominated for Oscars. When producer John Houseman and director Vincent Minnelli heard Raksin's theme for The Bad And The Beautiful '52 they found it incomprehensible, but Betty Comden and Adolph Greeen were also there and assured the others it was fine; Stephen Sondheim later called it the best film theme ever written. Raksin's name was sometimes misspelled and confused with that of pianist, arranger and lyricist Milt Raskin (1916-77). |