LITTLE DARLINGS

Intrada announces the premiere release of Charles Fox's score to the 1980 Paramount film Little Darlings. Fox wrote a lyrical score featuring solo harmonica, harpsichord, guitar and orchestra. “It was a sweet picture,” Fox recalls today. “Two young girls, younger women going to camp and getting involved in love affairs and romance and all that. I was really proud of that score, frankly." Fox worked on two songs for the movie with lyricist Carole Bayer Sager—a main title theme, “Little Darlings,” and a romantic song, “You and Me and Summer.” Ultimately neither song made it past the demo stage, but the melodies became foundational for the score. “Little Darlings” is an upbeat number that establishes the mood and energy of light summer fun. “You and Me and Summer,” on the other hand, is a wistful, low-key tune with a classic hook, intended as love music for Ferris’ relationship with the camp counselor. The opening piano figure expands on an opening riff from the “Little Darlings” song and forms the basis and mood for a lot of the underscore in the film. Vocal demos of the two songs are included as well among The Extras to give listeners a sense of what could have been.

The album was sourced from multi-track elements stored at Paramount, but they were showing their age. Co-producer Chris Malone did extensive restoration in creating this album along with co-producer Dan Goldwasser. The result is a perfect-sounding album in crisp stereo to a charming and bittersweet score that has been often overlooked. Jeff Bond's liner notes adorn the package along with cover design by Stéphane Coëdel and overall design by Kay Marshall.

Check out the soundtrack trailer here.

The film stars Tatum O’Neal, Kristy McNichol Matt Dillon, and Armand Assante and follows two teenage girls from different backgrounds who meet at summer camp and make a bet to see who can lose their virginity first. As they navigate peer pressure, friendship and growing up, they discover that love and relationships are more complicated than they expected. The film takes a more mature and sophisticated approach than what one might initially expect.

THE SCORE

01. Little Darlings Main Title* (2:19)

02. Little Darlings* (2:32)

03. Bus Leaves/Bus Pulls Out After Fight (0:56)

04. Arrival At Camp* (1:13)

05. By The Lake (2:43)

06. Girls Spy On Boys Camp (0:28)

07. Girls Steal Bus (0:58)

08. Angel Looking At Randy (1:39)

09. Penelope Steals Machine (0:56)

10. Food Fight** (1:31)

11. Used To Think About Kissing* (1:45)

12. Make It Look Good (1:03)

13. Ferris And Callahan In Pool (1:06)

14. Ferris And Father On Bridge** (1:18)

15. Get In, Sucker* (3:05)

16. If I Were 21* (0:30)

17. Randy And Angel In Boathouse (3:36)

18. I’m Not A Woman (5:39)

19. Ferris And Angel On Swings (3:19)

20. Little Darlings End Titles* (2:18)

Total Score Time: 38:54

THE EXTRAS

21. “You And Me And Summer” (Demo) (3:10)

22. Bathroom Source (1:47)

23. Ferris And Callahan In Pool (Alternate) (1:03)

24. Get In, Sucker (Alternate) (3:05)

25. Randy And Angel In Boathouse (Alternate) (1:44)

26. I’m Not A Woman (Alternate) (5:38)

27. Ferris And Angel On Swings (Alternate) (2:00)

28. “Little Darlings” (Demo) (2:54)

Total Extras Time: 18:11

Total CD Time: 60:31

*not used in film

**contains material not used in film