From Leonard Maltin

HIGH NOON reviewed by Leonard Maltin

Music Composed and Directed by Dimitri Tiomkin (Screen Archives Entertainment) — Although it boasts one of the most famous theme songs in movie history, the entire music score for High Noon has never been released on disc until now. Producers Ray Faiola and Craig Spaulding obtained composer Dimitri Tiomkin’s original acetate recordings from his widow and treated them with tender loving care. Given that the famous ballad, “Do Not Foresake Me,” dominates the film, the balance of the score is surprisingly listenable, with a variety of instrumentation from one cue to the next. Of course, many scenes involve tension and conflict, but Tiomkin never overplays his hand.

The recurring use of the Tex Ritter vocal is especially effective on this CD, as the producers only used those reprises that Tiomkin had intended, and left out some additional fragments that were added to the movie soundtrack at the last minute. (They also remastered the music for the finale to reflect the composer’s original plan.)

There is an endearing moment at the end of the finale—never heard on the movie, but audible on the original session recording—when Tiomkin happily exclaims, “Wonderful! Wonderful!” to his musicians. Two additional tracks allow us to eavesdrop on Tex Ritter rehearsing his ballad, and then recording a demo version.

As with most of Screen Archives Entertainment’s releases, this one comes with a beautifully designed booklet featuring rare behind-the-scenes photos and a superbly detailed essay on the genesis and production of the film by Rudy Behlmer. It’s taken more than half a century, but this score was well worth waiting for.