Search - George Fenton :: Mrs. Henderson Presents [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Destined to be the next big Broadway hit

C. T. Kalm | 01/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you leave the movie theater whistling the music, you know you have a winner. The score is set out just like a theater musical with an overture that presages the rest of the show. While the film couldn't possibly go wrong with Dame Judy Dench and Bob Hoskins, the music was so good, so evocative of the times, and yet unobtrusive (unlike many films which attempt to control the audience through the music and not the story line), it helped to reinforce the story line and enhance the feeling--you could understand how the British survived the Blitz on nothing but sardines and pluck.



Unlike "The Producers"--another film-to-Broadway success (which we saw twice), this music is family-friendly. As soon as we came home from the theater, I hopped on the computer at near-to-midnight to purchase this CD. A perfectly wonderful score!"

A Creation and Recreation of Nostalgia

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"George Fenton has put together a musical score for the completely delightful MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS that is a combination of original music deeply influenced by the time of the film (London during WW II) and some of the best 'old favorite songs' from that time. In the film the music is always present, whether in the performances on the Windmill Theater stage or in the lyricism of the acting by Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and crew.



Fenton includes such terrific oldies as Johnny Mercer's 'Goody Goody', Charles Harris' 'After the Ball', Noel Gay's 'Letting in the Sunshine', Frank Loesser's 'Blue Nightfall', and Jerome Kern's 'All the things you are'. He segues these pieces with his own fine orchestrations and the result is a score that not only enhances the mood of the film, but one that stands alone as a recording. The various performers include Camille O'Sullivan, Charlene Ford, Ciaran Connolly, Elise Audeyev, Frances Garvey, Frank Lawson, Joseph McMurray, Kate Power, Matthew Hart, Melody Squire, Rachel Lawrence, Sir Thomas Allen!, Sophie Brown, The O'Brien Sisters, Vanessa Barmby, Vicki Davids, and Victoria Hay.



This is a recording to conjure up memories not only of a successful film but also of a time when music conveyed a lot of emotion during times of stress. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 06"

Upbeat and Fun!

Mary Frances Kirkpatrick | Tarpon Springs, FL | 03/22/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Love this CD for the nostalgia! My favorite track is "All the Things You Are" by J.Kern and O.Hammerstein. This year's Oscar telecast produced a montage of film clips to this track including the last scene from "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and it was so emotion granting as is the song. Many of the other songs are from a time period right before WWII, but they are just fun and upbeat -- it was the depression, people needed to be uplifted with such such songs as "Letting in the Sunshine" and "Goody Goody." Judi Dench was asked by someone in the bleachers at the Oscars how it felt to be nominated this year for Mrs. Henderson, and she answered back, "just listen to the soundtrack darling!" How great is that???!!!!"