The Naked Gun

Composed by Ira Newborn

Orchestrated by Alf Clausen and Don Nemitz

Produced by Ira Newborn

Released by Varèse Sarabande Records on August 31st, 1993

Total Running Time: 36:22

     As far as comedies go, nothing can really compare to the uproarious comedies that permeated the late 70s and the 80s. With films as Caddyshack, Animal House, Airplane!, and others, the trend slowly moved towards the idea that comedies should regal the viewer with one joke right after the other, making up for the ones that might not work as well with a deluge of others so that at least something would stick. This attitude is still evident today, though the classic quality of those aforementioned comedies is rarely achieved.

     Arriving at the tail end of this period is The Naked Gun. Originally a 6-episode TV show back in 1982, the franchise would remain dormant until resurrected in a big way with the film version six years later. Bringing Leslie Nielson the role which has probably given him the greatest comedy acclaim, the Naked Gun series (even with the expected, though not terribly so, drop in quality through a 3-film run) is held in high esteem amongst fans of the Zucker/Abrahams way of comedy.

     Part of the success is in no doubt achieved through Ira Newborn’s sarcastic, yet catchy theme that made the translation from the small screen to the big one. Having previously worked on SCTV, Newborn provided the main theme for the original TV series run, and then updated the sarcastic, jazzy title for the feature film. This is what is found on the album, and a great theme it is. Anyone even remotely familiar with the film will recognize it instantly and it’s included here in fine form.

     Newborn uses the theme well throughout the films, but on album it is only represented in a handful of tracks (counting the opening and closing performances, it appears only one other time). With the 30 minute running time of the album, the purpose is served in not overloading it with the same bit of music over and over, yet some of Newborn’s interesting twists for the theme are sadly missing.

    What is there continues on the same ideas put forth by the main theme in a selection of tracks that wander back and forth between the two films. While this could easily become disjointed, the fact that the style is pretty much the same between the two keeps the album consistent. There are the occasional moments where you’ll wonder which cue is from which film, however. Most of the requisite cues from the films make an appearance at least. Another slight drawback is Newborn’s occasional serious underscoring to ludicrous scenes on film that loses that wonderfully sarcastic nature. Thankfully, this isn’t often.

     For the casual listener, a thirty minute comedy score such as this may not be one to warrant attention, but for fans of the films, this is a fine album that will recall many great moments for the film. In that instance, it comes recommended.

Reviewed on December 19, 2005