The Baby (1973) - Soundtrack

New addition to the collection.

Renting and watching The Baby, back in the early-to-mid 1980s, with absolutely no idea as to what to expect from it was a memorable experience, to be sure.

I picked it up because it was directed by Ted Post, a name I knew from two Clint Eastwood films (Hang 'Em High and Magnum Force), the first sequel to the original Planet of the Apes (Beneath the Planet of the Apes), and an early Chuck Norris flick (Good Guys Wear Black). So I knew the chances of it being good (i.e. competently made) were better than average.

What I most remember about my viewing of The Baby was being utterly gobsmacked by the ending, which, thanks in very large part to Gerald Fried's haunting score, both creeped me out and broke my heart. While I know that opinions on whether or not the ending to the film qualifies as tragic or happy can differ greatly, I lean toward the former and not the latter.

This limited edition release from Caldera includes an informative and insightful audio interview with the late Gerald Fried, who passed in 2023, that sheds some intriguing light on his approach to this rather unique film.

The interviewer describes the score as mono-thematic, in that it is built around a singular theme. Meaning that, rather than create separate themes for both the protagonist and the antagonist(s), Fried created a theme for Baby and would alter it according to the various characters 'distorted definition' (or twisted viewpoint) of Baby when needed.

Although all I truly remembered of the score from my one and only viewing 40+ year ago was from the film's ending, which is Track #19, Pool Games, on this soundtrack release. I am very happy to have added this cult oddity's entire score to my collection.