Flash Gordon themes

Short music highlights from the 1938 and 1940 serials of Flash Gordon. Music that was taken from other productions, but used effectively in these serials.

[@franklopresti2870]

Watching Flash Gordon always gives me a nice, warm, Sunday-morning feeling . . . my brother and I would RUN home from Mass every Sunday to beat the 11AM start time . . . and the music was always the best part! My lifelong love of classical music started right here!

[@54rein]

Flash Gordon was such a huge part of my youth back in the 1960's. The special effects were decent for the time, but what really made this series was the incredibly wonderful musical scores. Thanks for posting this composition

[@sandyshaller]

I used to practice running like Buster Crabbe with those dramatic stops as he confronted some giant lobster monster. LOL.

[@KenHoranUniversal]

The majority of the music in the original 'Flash Gordon' (1936) serial was from composer Heinz Roemheld. Examples are his scores from 'The Black Cat' (1934), 'Bombay Mail' (1934) and 'The Invisible Man' (1933). 'Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars' (1938) also used these same scores plus Franz Waxman's score from 'Bride of Frankenstein' (1935). The original 'Flash Gordon' (1936) also used W. Franke Harling's score from 'Destination Unknown' (1933) and Clifford Vaughn's score from 'The Raven' (1935). The only original music in 'Flash Gordon' (1936) was written by Clifford Vaughn, the main title cue and the Narrative cue. All of the reused music in the first two Flash Gordon serials were tracked from the original recordings. In 'Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe' (1940) the music was all new performances. Included was a lot of the music used in the first two serials plus Frank Skinner scores from 'Tower of London' (1939), 'The Sun Never Sets' (1939) and classical themes from 'Les Preludes' by Franz Liszt.

[@lekmirn.hintern8132]

There used to be a webpage that broke down all of the themes from the Flash Gordon serials, cut by cut. Do you know where that page might be now? I can't find it anymore.

[@KenHoranUniversal]

That website was called 'The Music of Flash Gordon' and is long gone. It was published by a guy named Rick and was last updated in 2009.

[@raspukin7]

This is a fine thread. All of the info is greatly appreciated. It only took decades for this info to become accessible again. Kudos to all of the scholarly comments. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@carolannejim1]

The music of the Clay Men is "Dance Macabre" used in "The Bride of Frankenstein", music by Franz Waxman.

[@buffalopatriot]

A conglomeration of musical themes used by Universal Pictures in the horror films of the early and mid 1930's. Some written by the classical masters and some by Hans J. Salter, Frank Skinner, Franz Waxman, Karl Hajos, Andre Previn and others. Great, moody stuff that fit the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials to a tee. I love all of it - great memories.

[@lincoln5803]

The Best sound track from serial movies.Very good.

[@MrHOLTZARZAR]

True to forms Flash Gordon is one of the best scifi serials ever. I also enjoy Commando Cody and the Fighting Devil Dogs. If you can ever find the these serials many scenes from Star Wars come from them. Especially, the Black Lighting Costume which resemble so much of the Darth Vader character. I saddens me to my heart that when these great shows of yesteryear comes on various networks today of science fictions, they are laugh and ridicule. I made sure that I missed the first part of Boys Scouts to catch the first fifteen to thirty minutes of these serials. Thank the Lord Thy God for all the fans who truly, and I mean truly appreciate these great serials. Peace.

[@timward4227]

Thank you very much...I religiously used to get up, as a young child, every morning on Saturday, to watch Flash Gordon....and another Gem, is I' have been trying to remember for years that you made reference to...Commander Cody...He use to, with jetpack and Helmut, usually out of that Hollywood cave, and take flight...what a dream for a that golden age of enjoyment that was...also must confess I loved Mighty Mouse...Sixty nine years later, and a now retired minister, if that is possible to retire...still enjoy those memories...

[@charlesneely]

That's because m************ like gen-xers don't appreciate real art my friend I just got through watching flash Gordon the purple death and there was some clown talkin about the story lacked depth and is very shallow I said hey man those were meant for different generation for a different time I said since you don't understand any goddamn thing get the f*** off my internet. At the chick that mother what the hell is he doing here watching it then if you don't understand the concept of the story line it was meant for a different generation . That's like when I go watch p*** sometime you know and when I go watch p*** and I'll be watching you know interracial p*** and you got some racist white got them out you know what the hell that white woman doing with a negro I'm taking myself why is he here watching it LOL there's always going to be a f****** troll somewhere best thing you can do is block them and move on

[@charlesneely]

​@@timward4227 these movie inspired people like George Lucas Steven Spielberg James Cameron where do you think the wingsuit came from it came from The flash Gordon cereals right now f****** pair of shoes are using the wing suit designs to fly through the air before they pull the parachute

[@charlesneely]

​@@timward4227 my friend we can learn a lot from the past time is ever moving forward not I hate it I really do but at least these great treasures are preserved in archives for future generations when you and I are gone. Because time does move forward

[@davivignola5895]

there was a community center when I was a kid in the early 80's, that would do 1 dollar Saturdays (you get a movie ticket, popcorn, and some soda pop), and they would play these old serials. It was a really happy childhood memory

[@jayrosen6663]

WONDERFUL, WITH HUMBLE APPRECIATION!!!

[@ghsmith55]

I used to watch all these serials on TV, (The Baron Daemon Show in Syracuse) and now have the full set (Space Soldiers and Trip to Mars with Jean Rogers as Dale, and Conquers The Universe with Carol Hughes as Dale) on DVD along with Buck Rogers "War Of The Planets" serial. If you want a real hoot, check out the 1980 movie "Galaxina", with Dorothy Stratten and Avery Schreiber. Great sequence with the Space Police cruiser hiding behind a space billboard. When it takes off after a speeding spaceship, the music used is Les Preludes. The movie spoofs Flash Gordon, Alien, and other science fiction classics as well as other old "B" movies. I don't want to spoil all the gags and spoofs, but it is a fun movie plus there is lots of Dorothy Stratten as Galaxina.

[@KeyWestNAB]

That's the station I first saw them on as well, in "nearby Utica"

[@realx1311]

Ive been try to find the soundtrack from those flashgordon serials movies and i never found it, just les preludes from list and those music from this video

[@bobnodzo535]

I’d wake up every school morning to make sure I didn’t miss an episode and when I came home I’d take my sister’s toy coffee pot and use it as my ray gun … which she did not like

[@zornhau]

We should get together a kickstarter to hire a composer to turn all this lot into a symphony then record it.

[@jcreationfilms]

That would be cool.

[@spockboy]

Sign ME up.

[@charlesneely]

Yeah man I love the trees on Mars battle sequence that was a trip😊

[@TimTheTuner]

I just saw The Invisible Man Saturday night and recognized some of this music in the film. I had always associated that music with the Flash Gordon serials, but Invisible Man predates the serials (didn't know that).

[@filmmakerman9]

the final selections are the main title from bombay mail(1934) and the end title from the werewolf of london(1935) the man who was behind most of the musical arrangements at universal was heinz roemheld(who scored the majority of these films) with the exception of the bride of frankenstein(written by franz waxman)

[@bobbo924B]

filmmakerman9 and Werewolf of London by Karl Hajos, the final piece.

[@bobbo924B]

All wonderful music, but I confess that Karl Hajos' score for "Werewolf of London" just sits in my brain for days after I hear it. Thank you for posting this brilliant compilation.

[@1MRBASSMAN]

Robert Goldberg Yes one of my favorite movies and one of my favorite film scores. It should be pointed out that there are three lengthy segments in the movie that lifted music from The Invisible Man and the Black Cat.

[@filmmakerman9]

the first theme is the main title track for The black cat(1934)a majority of the music in the first 2 serials was pulled from this film. the second was the main title for the first flash gordon(1936) the next selection is the main title from werewolf of london(1935) the invisible man(1933) the next cues are both pulled from the bride of frankenstein(1935)one might say that this score was re-used effectivley because of its military march style(which is present throughout the score)

[@robertszymanski717]

I love those old movies my parents saw as a kid! Flash, Commando Cody, Buck Rogers, Ray Crash Corrigan!

[@raspukin7]

The Clay Men, by Waxman was one of my favorite music! Thanks for the tip. Now I'm on a hunt for the full arrangement.

[@sandyshaller]

I also loved the Clay Men music, was perfect for when they peeled off the cave walls.

[@stevehammel2939]

One scene in Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe had me rolling on the floor. After Emperor Ming discovers the Zultrinalium fire projectiles were being extinguished, communications between Prince Baron's ships had to be cut. As this happened Ming's bombers dropped a load of bombs near the radio room of Prince Baron's palace, just as the bombs exploded, you could see a shadowy figure of Prince Baron standing with his arm up in the air, eyes and mouth wide open with the look of abject terror. I have watched this serial untold number of times over the years and never saw that expression before.

[@morrisp]

Clifford Vaughan scored the only original Flash Gordon music for the 1936 opening credits.

[@KenHoranUniversal]

Clifford Vaughn also wrote another original cue for 'Flash Gordon' (1936), the Narrative.

[@harkrum]

O, yes, Voltan..of course, with the wings...

[@jamesostrowski1552]

Great!! My dad used to say he + siblings watched this Serial at the Star Theatre on Richmond Terrace, in New Brighton on Staten island way back in '33 or so...

[@allenrussell5086]

To Jim Bronaugh, the music that starts at 5:03 is from "Bride of Frankenstein." To Anthony Dennis, I believe the music that starts at 6:07 can be found at the end of "Werewolf of London."

[@tomLEMURbradley]

I used to stay tuned just long enough to hear Les Preludes, then switch off the tube and go out to play.

[@bighuge1060]

3:26 will always be my favorite; it was used in a stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace.

[@1MRBASSMAN]

from The Invisible Man 1933

[@austincalloway7510]

Yes! Thank you for posting this!!!!

[@AS-zk6hz]

Buster crab be was a great athlete. Just watch how he throws enemies around jumps and bounces around with great dexterity. Star Wars stole a lot from the three Flash Gordon series. Buster was an Olympic swimmer. Loved emperor Ming. Very decisive leader. Throw them in the fire pit. Or. He would say. Kill them kill them kill them. He was one mean dude....you did not mess with him

[@mangiafrani]

The opening theme to Conquers the Universe is Liszt's Les Preludes.

[@harkrum]

Right!!!..and it also happens to be my Favorite Classical Piece..

[@janetbratter1]

harkrum ditto

[@timothybertrand2498]

What is the song called from 00.40

[@allenrussell5086]

The book "Film Music 1" is not out of print. You can get a copy from the Film Music Society for $20.00 plus shipping. Phone number (310) -820-1909. However, if you think it names the music from scene to scene, you will be disappointed (as I was). It does discuss the music and tells where it was taken from, but not scene to scene. Still a good investment for the fanatics..

[@johnnynoirman]

THE BLACK CAT SCORE!---1934!

[@Upanleeduck]

Liszt: Les Preludes

[@charlieroy4896]

That was the best for Flash

[@anthonymagarello5448]

I think the martial theme was taken from Franz Liszt and was borrowed by Alfred Newman in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD.

[@barkingmonkee]

Although it was taken from The Bride of Frankenstein, the bit that starts at 5:03 will always be "THE" Flash Gordon theme to my ear. It's a shame there's only 8 seconds of it in this compilation.

[@jamesostrowski1552]

Of course, for Us kids in later years, it was TV, whenever it was on...

[@jamesostrowski1552]

Thanks for this!! I have a big, about 40" Chinese Gong hanging in my house, and every time I strike it I get a flashback to this music, ...the scenes where the gong sounded and the music played on from there...now,... I am 62 and watched on TV as a kid, but my Dad told me he used to go to the theater on Saturdays, and see the serials as they Came Out!!...

[@robertszvetics210]

+james ostrowski Im 63 and i think the flash gordon serials were the best serials ever made along with buck rogers and captain marvel i have them on on video nothing like flash and buck saving the universe.and the music was awesome a century before star wars

[@randallkoch8540]

They should have this on meTV or TVLand or Decades or some other nostalgia channel some.

[@rightlyso8507]

My least favorite Flash Gordon serial, although I love them all ... including the 1939 Buck Rogers, is the final one, " ... Conquers the Universe". But, one of the incredible points of it is the music. "Les Preludes" by Franz Liszt, runs throughout the film. When I listen to that, especially near it's finale, I imagine Flash's spaceship coming in for a landing.

[@ron101346]

Great theme music, but it needs significant restoration work to be listenable.

[@hassandoukkali3611]

un jouet virtuel en 3D ...flying cigar...?

[@johnnyedify]

Opening piece is from "The Black Cat" 1934

[@UkonJohnNord]

Hey could someone maybe help me out? I am trying to figure out in the opening of Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe what is the music that plays in the intro and especially the part where it builds and then they show the actors and there parts.Right at the part where it says Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon and then list the rest of the cast?Thanks

[@1MRBASSMAN]

Les Preludes by Franz Liszt. Many other portions from this piece were used in Flash Gordon and in many other Universal pictures

[@jimbronaugh]

What is the music that starts at 5:03. That is the only music I remember from watching the serials on Saturday morning at the theater.

[@str.77]

I was wondering too and found that it's from the 1934 film "Bombay Mail". Search "Bombay Mail' (1934) excerpt" on youtube.

[@1MRBASSMAN]

Jim Bronaugh 5:03 is continuation from Bride of Frankenstein, 5:14 is from Bombay Mail.

[@shawnee3]

A lot of the music used in the first & 2nd serials was originally written by Franz Waxman for Universal's Bride of Frankenstein. It is still available here: www.amazon.com/Bride-Frankenstein-1993-Rerecording-Score/dp/B000004BPF/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Bride+of+Frankenstein+soundtrack&qid=1560949319&s=gateway&sr=8-2

[@franciscomigueltomasbethen9017]

Fantastica musica incidental

[@hellskitchen10036]

does anyone know who does the classical passages in the Radio version? driving me nuts!!!

[@dewelr121]

This is where Star Wars come from

[@str.77]

Where are the tunes at 4:35, 5:03, 5:12 and 6:04 orginally from?

[@spockboy]

If someone here could list all of the music sources used in Flash Gordon such as Liszt's Les Preludes, I could edit it all together with much better sounding modern orchestras and put it on KZbin.

[@spockboy]

Anybody?

[@hassandoukkali3611]

construire un cigare volant !...

[@dancahill8555]

Capture the earth men or your lives will be forfeit!

[@hassandoukkali3611]

module de déplacement non armé ...bonjour imaginaire ....

[@tackyman2011]

Hey! You don't have pics of giant lizards on here! No likey!

[@UkonJohnNord]

I guess it's Franz Liszt - Les Préludes

[@harkrum]

Is that Voltan or King THon?

[@AccountantProOT]

Booo!!!! Queen's version was better

[@JimMillerIII]

Sorry, I don't know the title