The Philadelphia Story – Soundtrack

No soundtrack album has been officially released for this 1940 film, but selections can be heard on releases. The first release was on the 1974 album, Sunset Boulevard – The Classic Film Scores of Franz Waxman.

Red Seal ARL 1-0708

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There also was a 4-page booklet inserted into each album jacket. This booklet included a photo from The Philadelphia Story and comments about Waxman’s score:

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There were at least four separate releases of the album that year – RCA Red Seal ARL 1-0708, RCA Gold Seal AGL 1-3783 and, as quadraphonic sound was then popular, it was also issued in that format as RCA Red Seal ARD1-0708.

Quad LabelIf you’ve really got to have everything for your collection, it was also issued on 8-track tape (RCA Red Seal ARS1-0708).

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It was also eventually issued on CD with the same basic cover as the LP (RCA 6708-2).

Finally, in 2011, a digital version of the album, along with a new CD in different packaging, became available (RCA 781265).

-Digital CoverAll of these releases feature the same track – The Philadelphia Story (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Fanfare; Main Title; The True Love). The track was played by the National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Charles Gerhardt.

In 1997, a recording made for the film on September 30, 1940, was issued on the CD Composed By: Classic Film Themes from Hollywood’s Masters (Rhino Movie Music R272847).

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The CD booklet has a photo of Stewart with actress Ruth Hussey and director George Cukor:

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When you removed the CD from its hub, a collage was exposed. This collage included a poster for The Philadelphia Story.

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The track included was The Philadelphia Story (Florian/Opening Scene):

As a bonus for Stewart fans, the CD also included How the West was Won, Main Title.

In 2000, the 2-CD set, Lion’s Roar: Classic M-G-M Film Scores 1935-1965, was released (Rhino Movie Music R2 75701).

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This CD is much more readily identified by the cover of its booklet, which is usually shown in place of the actual CD cover.

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One photo of Stewart, with his co-star Katharine Hepburn, appears in the booklet.

img111The track included is The Philadelphia Story – Main Title/Tracy in Love:

Like the previous CD, this one also includes the Main Theme from How the West was Won.