Belle Or The Ballad Of Doctor Crippen

'Belle Or The Ballad Of Doctor Crippen' based on a macabre turn of the century love triangle that enthralled readers of London newspapers in 1911 was performed for a just 44 performances when it hit the stage 50 years later. Written by Wolf Mankowitz, (the father of noted rock photographer Gered Mankowitz FRPS), the music was composed by Monty Norman who would get past this flop, when he scored the James Bond theme for Dr No that most people associate with John Barry. Albert R. Broccoli backed this musical shortly before he began producing the Dr. No film in Jamaica where he brought along Norman from the aborted stage production, Monty Norman's only previous film score had been Hammer's The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll in 1960. The director of orchestration on the musical was Harry Robinson (nee Roberston) who also worked as a bandleader on TV, a house arranger at Decca, and had written and produced a hit instrumental novelty record in 1958 called "Hoots Mon" credited to the Lord Rockingham's XI. Robinson also arranged strings on later Nick Drake and Sandy Denny albums as well as scored many Hammer horror films This is the original Belle cast album from 1961 that has been reissued twice so far, once in the 1980's and again in early part of the 21st Century. Concept By [Devised by] – Cyril Wolf Mankowitz Directed By – Val May Music Director – Monty Norman Orchestrated By, Conductor – Harry Robinson Performer [Belle Or The Ballad Of Doctor Crippen Cast] – Barry Kent, Davy Kaye, George Benson (4), Laurie Webb (2), Nicolette Roeg, Olive Lucius, Rose Hill, Susan Irvin, Virginia Vernon Producer [For Decca Records] – Hugh Mendl Vocals [Singer], Performer [Belle Or The Ballad Of Doctor Crippen Cast] – Gordon Willis (2), Pat Carson (2), Ron Nash Davies, Una Pearl, William Lawford