Episode 61 - SpaceCamp

The 1986 film "SpaceCamp" was a product of bad timing. Two months before its scheduled release, the real-life Challenger shuttle exploded, putting the future of the film in jeopardy. The producers decided to dump the film into theaters that summer, and didn't turn a profit. Host Jeff Commings and co-host Brian Thompson differ on their thoughts about the performance of the film had the Challenger explosion not happened, but agree that John Williams' score has bright points to heighten the film's exploits. Williams doesn't write a theme for any of the characters, but does compose a lovely main theme that helps elevate the feeling of the mystery of outer space, as well as a lovely melody that Thompson labels the weightlessness theme. There isn't much music in the film, and Williams doesn't unleash his signature power in the brass section during the big action scenes. The score comes after Williams' first-ever yearlong break from writing music for movies, but doesn't show any signs of stumbling. Strap in for a fun discussion of one of John Williams' hidden gems!