Does anybody know what tune Dallas is singing at the top of the chestburster scene? It sounds like he's singing "Allah sue ya, lamaze!", but I don't imagine it can be that.
This has bugged me for forty years. :D
What ? I don't remember him singing any tune
It's just in the general chatter that opens the scene.
You mean when they're all eating right before Kane's death ? Dalls singing something is genuinely news to me
Yep. It's right at the top, in the wide shot.
Try having a look at what songs were topping the charts in 1978 and see if there are any leads.
Otherwise there is always Elmazalman.
It doesn't sound like Dallas. It sounds like Parker singing.
The tune is short and could be anything. You can hear it more clearly if you use the raw production audio from the film (1999 DVD) and, perhaps, the audio for the multi-angle Chestburster sequence.
Quote from: Elmazalman on Jan 24, 2022, 12:50:00 PM
It doesn't sound like Dallas. It sounds like Parker singing.
Gotta disagree there. Totally sounds like Dallas. The line is sung just before Parker says "What happened to this guy...", and the two voices are nothing alike. Maybe I can pull the audio and put it up here for closer examination...
Please do.
Come on guys, you need to name that tune!
Yes, there it is from 0:01 to 0:03.
It sounds like a brief snatch of dialogue mixed in with the rest of the din - and it still sounds like Parker.
The early dialogue in the sequence is layered on top without regard for who's speaking - a deliberate sound design choice? I believe the director wanted a sense of unease by making the overlapping dialogue hard to decipher.
Lambert's line "Give me a break" doesn't match her mouth movements (she's smiling at the moment the line is delivered).
Quote from: Elmazalman on Jan 25, 2022, 11:23:37 PM
I believe the director wanted a sense of unease by making the overlapping dialogue hard to decipher.
If that was the goal they sure succeeded in it
The overlapping dialogue was meant to give the impression of natural conversation, everyone talking on top of each other. Robert Altman made an actor-infuriating habit out of it and clearly Ridley liked the effect.
Quote from: SiL on Jan 26, 2022, 02:04:07 AM
The overlapping dialogue was meant to give the impression of natural conversation, everyone talking on top of each other. Robert Altman made an actor-infuriating habit out of it and clearly Ridley liked the effect.
Yes.
Quote from: Elmazalman on Jan 25, 2022, 11:23:37 PM
It sounds like a brief snatch of dialogue mixed in with the rest of the din - and it still sounds like Parker.
The early dialogue in the sequence is layered on top without regard for who's speaking - a deliberate sound design choice? I believe the director wanted a sense of unease by making the overlapping dialogue hard to decipher.
Gotta disagree once again - to me, it sounds like Dallas. I always enjoy reading your posts, Elmazalman, but I don't recognize you as an authority on what things sound like. :P
And there
is a tune there - I can go and play it on the piano right now. I can't do that with regular conversation. But since none of us seems to know what that tune actually is, I'm willing to drop ot. :D
I always thought it was someone saying "Dallas, Dallas, come on" in a bit of a song-songy voice, not a song.
Quote from: SiL on Jan 26, 2022, 11:31:48 AM
I always thought it was someone saying "Dallas, Dallas, come on" in a bit of a song-songy voice, not a song.
It is. It's Parker.
I'd listen to the raw production audio and Chestburster multi-angle audio for any additional clarity.
Quote from: Mr. Clemens on Jan 26, 2022, 11:00:09 AM
Quote from: Elmazalman on Jan 25, 2022, 11:23:37 PM
It sounds like a brief snatch of dialogue mixed in with the rest of the din - and it still sounds like Parker.
The early dialogue in the sequence is layered on top without regard for who's speaking - a deliberate sound design choice? I believe the director wanted a sense of unease by making the overlapping dialogue hard to decipher.
Gotta disagree once again - to me, it sounds like Dallas. I always enjoy reading your posts, Elmazalman, but I don't recognize you as an authority on what things sound like. :P
And there is a tune there - I can go and play it on the piano right now. I can't do that with regular conversation. But since none of us seems to know what that tune actually is, I'm willing to drop ot. :D
If there is a tune buried in there, it doesn't sound like it's coming from Dallas.
You don't have to recognise me as anything, other than a fellow poster and fan of the original film.
Quote from: SiL on Jan 26, 2022, 11:31:48 AM
I always thought it was someone saying "Dallas, Dallas, come on" in a bit of a song-songy voice, not a song.
I'm beginning to think it's an improvised riff, as well. Makes sense, considering they apparently had to pay out the nose for 'You are my Lucky Star.'
If it were an actual song, yes, they'd have to have licensed it. I actually think it's Parker asking Dallas to pass some food the more I listen to it.
Quote from: SiL on Jan 26, 2022, 11:31:48 AM
I always thought it was someone saying "Dallas, Dallas, come on" in a bit of a song-songy voice, not a song.
Thats what I hear as well