The Ladykillers

Carter's Notes

"The Ladykillers" is a remake of the classic Ealing comedy from 1955 directed by Alexander Mackendrick, which starred Alec Guiness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers. Nothing about the Coens' version really mimics the original except the basic plot, and this was also true of the music.

Long before the film was shot Joel Coen had this idea of combining gospel, hip-hop and baroque music in some way - but even after months of talking about it we weren't sure exactly how this would be done, or even if it was a good idea. There were scenes in the film which called for music of one or another of these genres, and the gospel had been recorded prior to shooting. I was given the job of writing a faux-baroque version of the song "Trouble of This World" which could be intercut and mixed with gospel and hip-hop versions during the "heist" montage which is a high-point of the film. The result is available here as "Baroque Troubles".

Another important score element is Prof. G.H. Dorr's (Tom Hanks) theme. I wanted it to emanate from him whenever he is transported by sweet poetry. Just as important, I wanted its delicate refinement to set up the clunking of the Professor on the head by a concrete gargoyle in Dorr's last scene. This theme is typified by "Helen Thy Beauty Is".

Lastly there is the Heist theme, typified by bongos and bass and sometimes incorporating harpsichord in a nod to all those British detective films and serials which used jazzy harpsichord riffs. I can't recall if the original "Ladykillers" did this, but I'll be listening for it the next time I watch.

Tom Hanks as Goldthwait Higginson Dorr, PhD

Marlon Wayans, Irma P. Hall and Tom Hanks

Film Info

Written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen

Music Editor: Todd Kasow
Music Scoring Mixer: Mike Farrow
Orchestrated and Conducted by Carter Burwell
Contractor: Sandy Park
Recorded at Right Track Studio A509
Mixed at The Body Studio

Starring Tom Hanks, Irma P. Hall, Marlon Wayans

U.S. Release March 2004

Ethan Coen, Tom Hanks, Joel Coen

Reviews

"...Production values are up to the Coens’ usual impeccable standards. Roger Deakins’ lensing is exquisitely composed and atmospheric, especially in his shots of a statue-laden bridge that comes to play a crucial role in the proceedings. Carter Burwell’s original score takes a back seat to the extensive gospel selections that grace the soundtrack, albeit to less decisive and organic effect than the music selections played in 'O Brother.'" - Todd McCarthy, Variety, March 18, 2004.

"... Special notice is due to Roger Deakins' amazingly lovely cinematography and the resoundingly warm and gospel-heavy score by Carter Burwell." - Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com, March 27, 2004.

Tom Hanks and Irma P. Hall