Pete 'n' Tillie
The Film | The Music
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Compositions: Films
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Release date: December 17, 1972
Studio: Universal Studios
Running time: 100 minutes
Director: Martin Ritt
Cast: Walter Matthau, Carol Burnett, Geraldine Page, Rene Auberjonois, Barry Nelson, Lee H. Montgomery
Technical information: Tecnicolor, Panavision, mono
On March 28, 1974, CBS aired a pilot for Pete 'n' Tillie, a proposed 30-minute series starring Cloris Leachman and based loosely on the film. The network did not pick up the series.
The Film | The Music
Audio | Video | Sheet Music
References | Links
Music by: John T. Williams
The actual score consists simply of several variations of the main title theme; the nine underscore cues clock in at just over 8 minutes total. Most of the music in the film is source music, about 14 minutes of which may be by Williams.
While the main theme is head only in instrumental versions in the film, it was given lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman. The resulting song, "Love's the Only Game in Town," was recorded by both of the film's stars (see below).
Collector's Choice 04602
Carol Burnett recorded "Love's the Only Game in Town" for a 45 single (Columbia 45765); this recording was included as a bonus track for the 2004 CD reissue of Burnett's 1971 album Carol Burnett Featuring If I Could Write a Song (Collector's Choice 04602 — purchase).
More surprisingly, the film's other star, Walter Matthau, also recorded the song for a 45 single (Decca 33050) arranged and conducted by Al Capps (with an instrumental version on the B side).
Canadian singer Suzanne Stevens later recorded the song, which was released on a single (Capitol 72767) and became the title track of her 1976 LP, Love's the Only Game in Town (Capitol 11511).
The Film | The Music
Audio | Video | Sheet Music
References | Links
This film has been released on VHS (MCA 80404 — purchase) in pan-and-scan format but is not available on DVD. A beautiful widescreen transfer has been shown on the Bravo network, but unfortunately editing to fit a 120-minute time slot caused much of Williams' music to be excised.
Duchess 80970
A piano/vocal version of "Love's the Only Game in Town" was issued in 1965 by Duchess Music Corporation (Duchess 80970). This sheet music is long out of print.
References
"Film Reviews: Fitzwilly," Murf.
Variety, December 20 1967
"Pete 'n' Tillie, Comedy, Opens at Baronet," Howard Thompson
New York Times, December 18 1972, 56:1
The Film | The Music
Audio | Video | Sheet Music
References | Links
Internet Movie Database entry for Pete 'n' Tillie
Turner Classic Movies Database entry for Pete 'n' Tillie
Page last modified
June 05, 2006
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