Frederick James Karlin (June 16, 1936 – March 26, 2004) was an American composer of more than 130 scores for

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

s and television movies. He also was an accomplished

trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitched one octave below the standard ...

er adept at playing

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form which originated in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads from the Afr ...

, classical,

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

, and

medieval music Medieval music encompasses the sacred and secular music of Western Europe during the Middle Ages, from approximately the 6th to 15th centuries. It is the first and longest major era of Western classical music and followed by the Renaissance ...

Early life and education

Karlin was born in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

. He had a brother, Kenneth. Karlin began playing

in 1950. He studied jazz composition with William Russo and earned a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...

degree from

Amherst College Amherst College ( ) is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1821 as an attempt to relocate Williams College by its then-president Zephaniah Swift Moore, Amherst is the third oldest institution of higher educatio ...

, graduating with honors. His ''String Quartet No. 2'' was his honors

thesis A thesis ( : theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: ...

Career

Following graduation from college, Karlin moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

in 1958. He composed and arranged for various bands, including those of

Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing". From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His co ...

Harry James Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized ...

, and Chubby Jackson. During this period he also composed and arranged for

documentary film A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional film, motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". Bill Nichols (film critic), Bil ...

s, the

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and Theater (structure), theater at 1260 Sixth Avenue (Manhattan), Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplac ...

orchestra, and

television commercial A television advertisement (also called a television commercial, TV commercial, commercial, spot, television spot, TV spot, advert, television advert, TV advert, television ad, TV ad or simply an ad) is a span of television programming produce ...

s. In 1962, Karlin scored a

record album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records coll ...

for Columbia of extracts from the

comic strip A comic strip is a sequence of drawings, often cartoons, arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions. Traditionally, throughout the 20th and into the 21st ...

Peanuts ''Peanuts'' is a print syndication, syndicated daily strip, daily and Sunday strip, Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz. The strip's original run extended from 1950 to 2000, continuing in reruns afterward. ' ...

'', performed by actress Kaye Ballard as Lucy and songwriter

Arthur Siegel Arthur Siegel (December 31, 1923 - September 13, 1994) was an American songwriter. Born on December 31, 1923, in Lakewood Township, New Jersey, he grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Siegel studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts ...

as Charlie Brown. The innovative score was performed by Karlin entirely on children's musical instruments and toys.

Film and television

Karlin began his film career with '' Up the Down Staircase'' in 1967. Following in quick succession were '' Yours, Mine and Ours'' (1968), ''

The Stalking Moon ''The Stalking Moon'' is a 1968 American Western film in Technicolor directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Gregory Peck and Eva Marie Saint. It is based on the novel of the same name by T.V. Olsen. Plot U.S. Army soldiers round up a group ...

'' (1968), ''

The Sterile Cuckoo ''The Sterile Cuckoo'' (released in the UK as ''Pookie'') is a 1969 American comedy-drama film by producer-director Alan J. Pakula that tells the story of an eccentric young couple whose relationship deepens despite their differences and inadequa ...

'' (1969), '' The Baby Maker'' (1970), ''

Cover Me Babe ''Cover Me Babe'' is a 1970 drama film about a young filmmaker who is hypercritical about everything including his own work. Almost really doesn't care to get a studio contract. The film was directed by Noel Black, and stars Robert Forster and Son ...

'' (1970) and ''

Lovers and Other Strangers ''Lovers and Other Strangers'' is a 1970 American romantic comedy film directed by Cy Howard, adapted from the 1968 Broadway play of the same name by Renée Taylor and Joseph Bologna. The cast includes Richard S. Castellano, Gig Young, Cloris Lea ...

'' (1970). For the latter he wrote the music for the song "For All We Know", which won the 1971

Academy Award for Best Original Song The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is presented to the ''songwriters'' who have composed th ...

and was a Top 10 hit for The Carpenters. The Sandpipers charted with another of his compositions, " Come Saturday Morning". Other Karlin scores were nominated for three Academy Awards, including one for the movie ''

The Little Ark ''The Little Ark'' is a 1972 children's film directed by James B. Clark, produced by Robert B. Radnitz for Cinema Center Films and released theatrically in the U.S. by National General Pictures. It stars Geneviève Ambas and Philip Frame as childr ...

'' (Based on a novel by

Jan de Hartog Jan de Hartog (April 22, 1914 – September 22, 2002) was a Dutch playwright, novelist and occasional social critic who moved to the United States in the early 1960s and became a Quaker. Biography Early years Jan de Hartog was born to a Dut ...

) in 1972, his wife, Marsha, was also nominated for the same film. His other film scores included ''

The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker ''The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker'' is a 1971 American romantic comedy-drama film released in 1971, based on a novel of the same title by Charles Webb. It was directed and produced by Lawrence Turman, who produced 1967's high-grossing hit '' ...

'' (1971), '' Believe in Me'' (1971), ''

Every Little Crook and Nanny ''Every Little Crook and Nanny'' is a 1972 comedy film starring Victor Mature who came out of retirement to play the role. It was his first major film role since 1966. "They caught me when I felt like saying yeah," said Mature.Aljean Harmetz, "Vict ...

'' (1972), '' Westworld'' (1973), ''

The Spikes Gang ''The Spikes Gang'' is a 1974 American Western film directed by Richard Fleischer and starring Lee Marvin. Produced by the Mirisch Company and based on the novel ''The Bank Robber'' by Giles Tippette, the supporting cast features Gary Grimes, ...

'' (1974), ''

Chosen Survivors ''Chosen Survivors'' is a 1974 Mexican-American horror science fiction film directed by Sutton Roley and starring Jackie Cooper, Alex Cord, Richard Jaeckel, Bradford Dillman, Pedro Armendáriz Jr. and Diana Muldaur Plot After being selected at ...

'' (1974), '' The Gravy Train'' (1974), ''

Mixed Company ''Mixed Company'' is a 1974 American comedy-drama film directed by Melville Shavelson and written by Shavelson and Mort Lachman. It stars Barbara Harris, Joseph Bologna, Tom Bosley, Lisa Gerritsen, Dorothy Shay, Ruth McDevitt and Haywood Nels ...

'' (1974), '' Mastermind'' (1976), '' Baby Blue Marine'' (1976), '' Futureworld'' (1976), ''

Greased Lightning ''Greased Lightning'' is a 1977 American biographical film starring Richard Pryor, Beau Bridges, and Pam Grier, and directed by Michael Schultz. The film is loosely based on the true life story of Wendell Scott, the first Black NASCAR race winn ...

'' (1977), ''

Mean Dog Blues ''Mean Dog Blues'' is a 1978 American drama film directed by Mel Stuart. It stars Gregg Henry and Kay Lenz. Plot After hitchhiking a car ride with a drunken politician and his seductive wife, Paul Ramsey, a singer, offers to take the rap in cour ...

'' (1978), ''

California Dreaming "California Dreamin'" is a song written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips and first recorded by Barry McGuire. The best-known version is by the Mamas & the Papas, who sang backup on the original version and released it as a single in 196 ...

'' (1979), '' Ravagers'' (1979), ''

Cloud Dancer ''Cloud Dancer'' is a 1980 aviation drama film directed by Barry Brown. The film stars David Carradine, Jennifer O'Neill and Joseph Bottoms. ''Cloud Dancer'' follows a competition aerobatics pilot throughout his show season. Plot Brad Randolph i ...

'' (1980) and '' Loving Couples'' (1980). However the bulk of Karlin's work was in television. His compositions were nominated for the

Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

eleven times, and he won for ''

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman ''The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman'' is a 1971 novel by Ernest J. Gaines. The story depicts the struggles of African Americans as seen through the eyes of the narrator, a woman named Jane Pittman. She tells of the major events of her life f ...

'' in 1974. Other TV films included ''

The Man Who Could Talk to Kids ''The Man Who Could Talk to Kids'' is a 1973 American made-for-television drama film directed by Donald Wrye. It was originally broadcast on ABC on October 17, 1973. Plot This is the story of one boy isolated in his world, who allows one man to ...

'' (1973), '' Born Innocent'' (1974), ''

Bad Ronald ''Bad Ronald'' is a 1974 American made-for-television horror thriller film directed by Buzz Kulik and starring Scott Jacoby, Pippa Scott, John Larch, Dabney Coleman and Kim Hunter. It is based on the novel of the same title by Jack Vance. P ...

'' (1974), ''

The Dream Makers ''The Dream Makers'' is a 1975 American made-for-television drama film starring James Franciscus, Diane Baker, John Astin, Ron Thompson, Kenny Rogers and directed by Boris Sagal. It aired on January 7, 1975 on the NBC television network. Plot A ...

'' (1975), '' Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway'' (1976), '' Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn'' (1977), ''

The Death of Richie ''The Death of Richie'' is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film based on ''Richie'', a non-fiction book by Thomas Thompson about the 1972 death of George Richard "Richie" Diener Jr. at the hands of his father, who was ultimately not ch ...

'' (1977), ''Minstrel Man'' (1977, for which he received an

NAACP Image Award The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. Similar to ...

), ''

The Hostage Heart ''The Hostage Heart'' is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film directed by Bernard McEveety, written by Andrew J. Fenady, and based on Gerald Green's novel. It premiered on Friday, September 9, 1977, on CBS. Plot Terrorists take over th ...

'' (1977), ''

Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A. ''Christmas Miracle in Caufield, U.S.A.'' (also released as ''The Christmas Coal Mine Miracle'') is a 1977 American made-for-television drama film directed by Jud Taylor. Plot Inspired by true events, the plot takes place in 1950 and revolves ar ...

'' (1977), ''

Lucan Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (3 November 39 AD – 30 April 65 AD), better known in English as Lucan (), was a Roman poet, born in Corduba (modern-day Córdoba), in Hispania Baetica. He is regarded as one of the outstanding figures of the Imperial ...

'' (1978), '' Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter'' (1979), ''

Vampire A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...

'' (1979), '' Sophia Loren: Her Own Story'' (1980), ''

Miracle on Ice The "Miracle on Ice" was an ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. It was played between the hosting United States and the Soviet Union on February 22, 1980, during the medal round of the men's hockey tourna ...

'' (1981), '' Bitter Harvest'' (1981), '' Inside the Third Reich'' (1982), ''

Baby Sister "Baby Sister" is a 1985 single by American singer La Toya Jackson, the first taken from her fourth album ''Imagination''; which was released the following year. The single was released in a 7" format in Japan and later in the United States. Back ...

'' (1983), ''

Dadah Is Death ''Dadah Is Death'' is a 1988 Australian film based on the Barlow and Chambers execution in Malaysia in 1986.Albert Moran, ''Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series'', AFTRS 1993 pp. 72–73 It was a 2-part mini series running 2 hours per part.Ed. ...

'' (1988), ''

Murder C.O.D. ''Murder C.O.D.'' is a 1990 American made-for-television crime drama film directed by Alan Metzger starring Patrick Duffy and William Devane based on the Barbara Paul novel '' Kill Fee''. The movie was filmed in Portland, Oregon in May 1990, incl ...

'' (1990), '' Her Wicked Ways'' (1991) and '' The Secret'' (1992).

Author

Karlin wrote three books about film composition, ''On the Track: A Guide to Contemporary Film Scoring'' (1990), ''Listening to Movies: The Film Lover's Guide to Film Music'' (1994), and ''100 Great Film Scores'', which was published posthumously in 2005. He also wrote a reference book detailing and cataloguing the thousands of recordings the Edison Company distributed between 1914 and 1929. ''On the Track'' has been considered highly influential and authoritative for film and TV composers.

Personal life and death

Karlin married musician and musicologist Margaret "Meg" Anne (née Stagg) Karlin (a.k.a. Tylwyth Kymry and Meg Welles) in 1963. They recorded three albums together. The couple had two daughters, Wendy Karlin and Kathryn Velasquez, and two sons, Eric and Kristopher and four grandchildren. In 1978, Wendy murdered Kristopher, and she later served a short-term sentence in a mental hospital. Kristopher's death was a great blow to Fred. Fred Karlin died at age 67 of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

Culver City Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

. His widow Meg died July 31, 2016, in

West Hollywood, California West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757. It is considered one of the most ...

References

* Wright, H. Stephen; Limbacher, James L. ''Keeping Score: Film and Television Music, 1980–1988''. Scarecrow Press, 1991.
Fred Karlin
at the OscarSite.com
Fred Karlin
at RateYourMusic.com

External links

*
Fred Karlin papers
at the

University of Wyoming The University of Wyoming (UW) is a public land-grant research university in Laramie, Wyoming. It was founded in March 1886, four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state, and opened in September 1887. The University of Wyoming ...

- American Heritage Center
Meg and Fred Karlin American Music collection
at the

- American Heritage Center {{DEFAULTSORT:Karlin, Fred 1936 births 2004 deaths 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians American film score composers American television composers Amherst College alumni Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters Emmy Award winners American male film score composers Male television composers Musicians from Chicago Songwriters from Illinois American male songwriters