Dominic Frontiere (1931-2017) : a brief remembrance by: GF Willmetts.
It was brought to my attention today that composer Dominic Frontiere died shortly before Christmas at the age of 86. Wikipedia notes 19 TV series themes and 19 films although IMdB notes many more.
It is with his TV series that he should be remembered most for specific SF shows. ‘The Outer Limits’ (1963), ‘The Invaders’ (1967) and one I’ve mentioned a few times over the years, ‘Search’ (1973). I’ve put two links here. Have a listen and realise how distinct they are from one and other. Oddly, none of these are available on CD, well except ‘The Outer Limits’, although many of his filmworks are. In 1980, he won a Golden Globe for his music to the film ‘The Stunt Man’.
Sadly, after checking on availability, most of his works are in a price range of the rich, mostly I suspect because they’ve never been reprinted which is a shame. Even some of his films have suffered the same expensive fate. I suspect one day, one of the CD houses will remember him and do re-issues. At least I got a copy of his ‘Cleopatra Jones And The Casino Of Gold’ (1975) soundtrack CD in my collection.
Dominic Frontiere is part of SF music culture and it would be a shame not to remember his music for a moment.
GF Willmetts
December 2017