Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Mel Brooks is known to ridicule the genres of films, and while at it ridicule the most known films of all. While Spaceballs was a hilarious and fantastic spin off, Robin Hood was less successful with its version Men in Tights. While funny at times, mostly the gags were forced to entertain us and therefore it failed to amuse most of film lovers. However, while looking at it, the score somewhat stepped out of the movie and captured you. But by that, you have to realize that the score is the music and the songs altogether since they play an important role, something this CD shows ample. The maker of the score is Hummie Mann, not widely known and composer of the other non successful Mel Brooks spin of Dracula: Dead and Lovin' It and most known for P.T. Barnum, wrote in my eyes (or ears to be specific) a hugely more entertaining score then the film promises to be. Of course also based somewhat on the structure of late Michael Kamen's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, the score sticks out because of various reasons. First of all because of the songs that listen good to say the least, with its love theme sticking out the most. The pop variation opens the score and the film version in where Amy Yasbeck so called sings but Debbie James performs are both good to hear. The other more comical inspired entries don't fail either, the lavish reworked version of Vaughn Monroe's The Night is Young is to be appreciated and the Merry Men themselves have their own take during 'Men in Tights', taking nothing for granted. Kevin Dorsey, the lead rap singer during the two songs is cool too because in a way, it sounds not forced like the gags in the movie, but just plain amusing. And that for the songs which play as the music an important role in the film.

But Hummie Mann, also responsible for the song versions composed a score too, and its plain amusing to hear his voice. 'Main Title' is 3 minutes of unbridled brass and the main theme sticks in the mind too, it appears a lot during the first part of the score, but since this soundtrack only lasts for about 26 minutes, there is no problem there. Between the main theme we find also the love theme, without the vocals of course. 'Escape from Cahlil Prison' too shows the main theme while 'Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage' uses successfully the orchestral version of "Row, Row, Row your Boat" and the National anthem of Great Britain. 'Stick Fight with Little John' is a more playful but equally amusing track and 'Prince John's Party / Robin's Entrance' shows a serenade on tambourine and flute and trumpet blasts of the Robin Hood main theme. 'The Great Hall Fight' and especially 'Villagers to the Rescue' show a minimum of main theme statements and brings a bit more action based adventure music, covering some suspension building but above all its orchestral enthralling. The seriousness is lacking from the dark tone in 'The Witch in the Tower' but that is the point and a love theme version closes 'The Wedding'. Together making Robin Hood: Men in Tights still widely amusing for just 26 minutes. Its an awful short release but the point is, spend the time well and Hummie Mann altogether with the performers does a great job. The main theme truly sticks in the mind and is more serious then the comedy film should receive, but like Elmer Bernstein did it with Airplane, non serious films and serious scores work all the same. Its not going to be found in many people's collection, but Robin Hood: Men in Tights is enjoyable because of the orchestral voice and the amusing songs, and Mel Brooks' movie is somewhat behind all that.

Score: ***
Songs: ***

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Marian (Duet Version): Cathy Dennis & Lance Ellington (3.35)

2. Main Title (3.03)

3. Sherwood Forest Rap # 1: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (1.10)

4. Escape From Cahlil Prison (0.57)

5. Robin's Pledge / The Great Voyage (1.05)

6. Stick Fight With Little John (1.47)

7. Prince John's Party / Robin's Entrance (1.28)

8. The Great Hall Fight (3.14)

9. Men In Tights: Merry Men Singers (1.23)

10. The Witch In The Tower (1.39)

11. Villager's Training Sequence (1.32)

12. The Night Is Young: Arthur Rubin & the Merry Men Singers (1.48)

13. Romantic Marian (0.49)

14. Royal Country Fayre / The Abbott's March (1.31)

15. Villagers To The Rescue (2.19)

16. The Wedding (0.38)

17. Marian (Solo Version): Debbie James (1.36)

18. Sherwood Forest Rap # 2: Kevin Dorsey & the Merry Men Singers (0.23)

Total Length: 26.37

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