Bear Mann's video: TunePlay - THE RUNNING MAN 1987 Harold Faltermeyer

In the summer of 87, attached to films such as ROBOCOP, THE UNTOUCHABLES and THE LOST BOYS, was the trailer for an upcoming Thanksgiving release concerning "A game nobody wins; but Schwarzenegger has yet to play". "Arnie's" PREDATOR was at that moment making waves on cinema screens, but something was different about this "THE RUNNING MAN". While it's action was appropriately "off the chain", it seemed to also have a socio-political LOGAN'S RUN / ROLLERBALL-like dystopian sci fi mindset; making analogies to both the then burgeoning cable, satellite TV and international multi-network boom, as well as to the ultra right wing Reagan / Thatcher governments - and how a simple nudge by one could make a formidable and oppressive weapon of the other. Many at the time, and even AFTER the film's November '87 debut, weren't aware of just HOW different a Schwarzenegger outing THE RUNNING MAN truly was ... in that it was based on a novel by none other than Stephen King. Written (as King recounts) "... during a period of 72 hrs., and published with virtually no changes", THE RUNNING MAN hit stands as a first run paperback in 1982 under the pseudonym "Richard Bachman". When King's cover was blown a few years later, THE RUNNING MAN and three other novels written under the same nom de plume were collected into a single volume,THE BACHMAN BOOKS, in 1985. Rob Cohen would go on to direct the films DRAGONHEART, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, XXX and more. But during the 70s and 80s he was producer of hits such as THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK and THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW. He purchased THE RUNNING MAN (unaware that Bachman was King) then set about turning it into a film. When Schwarzenegger was attached, King's narrative changed from a physically frail everyman who willingly enters the futuristic version of "The Most Dangerous Game" in order to raise money for his ill child, to a physically imposing former government enforcer betrayed by the system he served loyally, who is sent to prison on trumped on charges; then offered the chance to "win" pardon if he'll become "ratings fodder" as a contestant on the titular prime time program - wherein contestants are hunted by state sanctioned assassins called "Stalkers" (in the novel "Hunters"). Paul Michael Glaser, the STARSKY AND HUTCH star-turned-director was approached to helm the project based on his stunning work on Michael Mann's MIAMI VICE and his feature debut on 1986's new-age crime thriller BAND OF THE HAND (produced by Mann). But he turned it down as he felt there wasn't enough prep time. George Cosmatos (RAMBO II, TOMBSTONE) and Andrew Davis (CODE OF SILENCE, THE FUGITIVE) came and went before Cohen circled back to Glaser, who this time took up the challenge - seeing it as an opportunity to make satirical comment on western media pop culture. Joining Schwarzengger would be a panoply of stars from various disciplines, including actors Yaphet Kotto and Maria Conchita Alonso; sports legends Jim Brown, Jesse Venture and Sven-Ole Thorsen; and rockers Mick Fleetwood and Dweezil Zappa. But none would receive more critical acclaim than former HOGAN'S HEROES co-star (and later FAMILY FEUD tv host) Richard Dawson in the scene stealing role of slimy RUNNING MAN master of ceremonies Damon Killian. A fan of "off center" avant garde music for film (THE HUNGER and MANHUNTER's Michel Rubini had scored BAND OF THE HAND), Glaser approached 80s electro/wunderkind songwriter/producer/composer Harold Faltermeyer to give THE RUNNING MAN it's "neo classico via electronica" voice. Additional info (along with material from TANGO & CASH and MIDNIGHT EXPRESS) is available in our website's Faltermeyer article ( http://gullcottageonline.com/FaltermeyerBiog_TangoCash.html ). But in THE RUNNING MAN, the BEVERLY HILLS COP, TOP GUN, STARLIGHT EXPRESS composer would receive creative liberty to fashion what is arguably his most impressive filmic work. Amidst the complex faux classical structure and execution, take particular note of the BEVERLY HILLS COP-like "funk groove" at the heart of the climactic action set piece "Mick's Broadcast". Fairly bad-assed, and a helluva lot of musical fun!!! *note* - Our RUNNING MAN suite is taken from an analog source; and as such there is some sporadic audio distortion. CEJ 1) Intro / Bakersfield (0:00 of 14:16) 2) Mick's Broadcast (2:04 of 14:16) 3) Fireball Intro (7:11 of 14:16) 4) Buzzsaw / Dynamo Attack (8:30 of 14:16) 5) Sub-Zero (10:21 of 14:16) For more "TunePlay" mini movie music suites go to http://www.gullcottageonline.com/TunePlay-ClarkeApril_12.html "Bear Mann" is a YouTube channel of The GullCottage/Sandlot, a film blog and growing reference library "Celebrating The Art of Cinema, ... And Cinema As Art" Visit us on the web at: http://www.gullcottageonline.com And on FACEBOOK at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-GullCottageSandlot/129683480458380 All rights held by copyright owner. Presented here for educational and criticism purposes only.