Sweet Smell of Success

Elmer Bernstein

(Decca, DL 8610, 1957)

Oh, man. Does a movie exist with better dialogue than this? It's enough to cause tears of bliss. The music is right on the money, too, full of New York moxie. Elmer Bernstein has composed many classic soundtracks, but this one sticks in my mind the most perhaps because it matches the imagery so well. There are several songs co-written with Chico Hamilton (who makes a cameo in the movie) as well as drumming by Shelly Manne. Sweet, indeed.