Dennis the Menace

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Was it the continuity of the movies that changed, was it Goldsmith's inner personality that wanted more versatility or was the Goldsmith sound simply gone? Lets drop the third one, count the first for all its worth but see the second as the main reason why someone like Goldsmith would on earth score Dennis the Menace. Sure the film gave me the laughs, like anybody else but it surely isn't musical material that would flourish and cease the day. Its how you look at movie scoring what's important. Apart from the musical accompaniment inside the movie's line it has to be fun outside of it, but surely the one gag, stupid joke, accident or other circumstances can't ask for a lot of musical magic. With all the talent of Goldsmith he has approached it one way only, support the gag, portray the love and underscore the deviousness. It perhaps sounds the way you would expect it but Goldsmith's themes, as childlike or non magical as they may be surely give me all I need, for the genre and movie it supports.

It all starts the way you would categorize Dennis in person, 'Dennis the Menace (Main Title)' is energetic and glows innocence and love when you encounter such a deviant little boy as Dennis. It is also in my part the best track on the score. What comes next is guaranteed to work inside the movie but will it please all the fans of movie music? My advice is simple, it's not a serious movie. So, don't expect a serious score. Goldsmith simply keeps underscoring the gags and various incidents with all his musical might. While the harmonica represents Dennis, it is the childlike innocence and deviousness that changes with each moment of score, making it not such an easy listen but damn right the correct one. The bad theme for Sam (Christopher Lloyd), the thief is nonetheless one of excellent nature during the movie and surely works for the scenes, as all the other themes by the way. Some of the tracks are indeed a bit Mickey mouse in tone, 'Baby Sitting', 'Bed Time' and 'Beans' do have a lesser value on disc but surely you can't do it any other way. And if it could, would Goldsmith not be the man to use it, one of the star composers of his time? And don't forget the finale any children movie must have with the excellent 'He's Back'.

It isn't easy and comedy movies with a multitude of gags like this one isn't made for orchestral tour de force music that blows you away. It simply has to sound like this, and I'm glad Jerry Goldsmith at least made the effort to keep it consisting on disc. With tone and Mickey mouse moments it bares resemblance with Gremlins 2: The New Batch but others might consider that John Williams' score for Home Alone, another John Hughes production listens better. I'm sorry but first of all the soundtrack of Williams wasn't covered with a lot of Mickey mouse pranks and secondly, it was scored the same way in construction of mayhem. But surely you see Dennis the Menace as the lesser participant in comedy gag movies and you would place Williams' one higher in rank, being the story of Goldsmith's life, any movie that Williams scores outweighs the effort of Goldsmith that the movie tries to re create. Well, I don't see it that way. While not so enjoyable in musical mode, it makes the film still the better side then it probably deserved. But still fans be warned, for those who seek extra Goldsmith gems of pure musical magic will not be at the correct address, it isn't found for one in Dennis' neighborhood.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Dennis The Menace (Main Title) (2.51)

2. Baby Sitting (3.50)

3. Fun With False Teeth (1.53)

4. Bed Time (5.09)

5. The Shaggy Dog Story (4.02)

6. The Heist (4.13)

7. Wanna See My Sling Shot (1.20)

8. Tied Up (2.08)

9. Beans (4.09)

10. Real Love (1.28)

11. Hung Up (1.29)

12. He's Back (2.18)

13. Forgetful Sam (1.28)

14. Toasted Marshmallow (4.22)

Total Length: 41.24

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=== Link to Composer Site: Jerry Goldsmith ===