Henry Mancini

Mancini and friend

Henry Mancini (1924-1994) was a composer and orchestra leader best known for his work for film and television. He was a frequent collaborator with Blake Edwards, including Breakfast at Tiffany's (winning two Academy Awards, one for the score and one for the song "Moon River.")

Classsically trained at Juilliard, Mancini was known for being able to supply an orchestral or concert sound but also blend striking jazz rhythms. Mancini began working with Edwards on TV, composing the distinctive Peter Gunn theme song and contributing to the show's overall jazz sound (as key scenes frequently occurred at jazz clubs or during musical performances). After Breakfast at Tiffany's, Mancini scored and composed the theme for Edwards' first Inspector Clouseau movie The Pink Panther, which would gain greater fame through the animated feline who accompanied it in credits and then in his own longrunning short series. He also scored and wrote songs for Victor/Victoria (with Julie Andrews), 10, The Party (with Peter Sellers), and The Great Race (with Jack Lemmon).

Outside of his work with Edwards, Mancini contributed music to the Orson Welles movie Touch of Evil, scored the later Alfred Hitchcock film Frenzy, composed the whimsical "Baby Elephant Walk" (and all other music) for the John Wayne movie Hatari!, and more offbeat movies such as Santa Claus: The Movie and Disney's Condorman. TV themes continued, including for the NBC Mystery Movie slot (spotlighting Columbo and others), the Chuck Jones children's series Curiosity Shop, and the first season opening theme for Remington Steele.

Later film scores include The Great Mouse Detective and Tom & Jerry: The Movie.

References

• Three recordings with Mancini conducting the orchestra were used on Sam and Friends, including "Singin' in the Rain," "Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark" (both with Edie Adams), and "Myrtle" (with Joe Pryor and Loulie Jean Norman).

• Mancini's "Moon River" has occasionally been referenced by Muppets.

• Inevitably, Mancini's theme music accompanied the Pink Panther in his guest spot on Sesame Street.