Around the World in 80 Days turns 50 and soundtrack to be re-released

By Patrick Luce Dec 14, 2006, 1:06 GMT

On the 50th Anniversary of the film’s release, Hit Parade Records, the imported audiophile-quality reissue label, is proud to announce the release of a greatly expanded edition of Victor Young’s Academy Award winning score for Around the World in 80 Days. 

Unavailable in any form for many years, this soundtrack CD contains over 70 minutes of sparkling stereo sound, including almost 30 minutes of previously unavailable music.  Hit Parade Records is exclusively distributed by Eric Records in the United States (www.ericrecords.com).
 
The winner of 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Score, Around the World in 80 Days was the first mega-blockbuster, starring a veritable who’s who of Hollywood’s greatest performers of the time making cameo appearances in the film. 

An adaptation of Jules Verne’s beloved novel, the film told the story of Phileas Fogg (David Niven) and his manservant Passepartout (Mexico’s favorite comedian Cantinflas) on their breathtaking journey across the world in 80 days.  The production included close to 69,000 extras photographed in over 13 different countries, utilizing 140 actual locations in addition to the stages of 6 major Hollywood studios. 
 
Paramount Pictures called upon famous studio composer Victor Young to create the score for this larger-than-life film.  In the 20 years he spent in Hollywood, Young worked on an amazing 300+ films as conductor, arranger, songwriter, composer and music director. 

His résumé included some of the most popular films of all time like For Whom the Bell Tolls, Samson and Delilah, Sands of Iwo Jima, The Quiet Man, Three Coins in a Fountain and Shane.  Through his career, he earned 22 Oscar nominations and only one statue, for Around the World in 80 Days, which unfortunately he wouldn’t live to receive.  In 1956 Young died prematurely of a heart attack at age 57.
 
The soundtrack for Around the World in 80 Days was the top album of 1957, remaining at #1 on the charts for 10 weeks. 
 
The Hit Parade Records expanded edition reissue contains almost 30 minutes of previously unreleased music from the original soundtrack.  The album, which was produced by Didier C. Deutsch, renowned reissue specialist, includes extensive new liner notes and color photos.