Odd Music Connections

Odd Music Connections was Originally Posted on June 6, 2013 by

There are a couple of musical oddities that come to mind. One is sometimes used as a trivia question. Which song in an Alfred Hitchcock move got to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 record list? Think on that one and I’ll be back with the answer in just a moment.

At my high school we had movies twice a week (lucky us). We also had an organist who would play music while we awaited the movie to start. One song which was a popular one was also a recurring piece in a movie.

Here is a link to a Billy Vaughn version, which makes you think of a quiet walk along a beach, two lovers hand in hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yazSCZC83Q

In the movie there was a vocal version but just as soothing. The movie was “Circus of Horrors” and the plot is from IMDB.Com.


In 1947 England, a plastic surgeon must beat a hasty retreat to France when one of his patients has ghastly problems with her surgery. Once there, he operates on a circus owner’s daughter, deformed by bombs from the war. Later he becomes the owner of the circus, and continues transforming disfigured women into the beautiful stars of his show. The police and a nosy reporter (as well as Scotland Yard) become interested when the women who want out of the circus begin dying in freak accidents, and they begin suspecting the good doctor is responsible.

That song just seems so out of place in the movie. If you want to see a film clip from the movie with the vocal version, here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVyKYPodql0

Now back to the original question, have you figured out the Hitchcock movie? I know the song will be familiar to you and you probably know the lyrics. Hitchcock movies were not necessarily known for their music. The song received the 1956 Academy Award for Best Original Song (an Oscar). In this movie, the song plays a pivotal role. A child is abducted and locked away in a building. His Mother sings the song, hoping the child will hear it and know she is there. Need a hint? Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day? “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” from the movie “The Man Who Knew Too Much”.

So there is a bit of musical trivia and some odd pairings of movies and music.