Edward Holcomb Plumb (June 6, 1907– April 18, 1958) was an American film composer and orchestrator best known for his work atWalt Disney Studios. He served as musical director ofFantasia and orchestrated and co-composed the score forBambi, and orchestrated and expanded the film's main composerFrank Churchill's menacing but simple three-note theme.
Plumb was born on June 6, 1907 inStreator, Illinois. His grandfather, ColonelRalph Plumb founded the city of Streator in 1866.
In the 1930s, Plumb moved toCalifornia and began work as a composer and orchestrator in thefilm industry. In addition to his work for Disney, Plumb frequently worked on titles for other studios, includingRepublic,Paramount and20th Century Fox. In 1953, he wrote the music for MGM'sTom and Jerry short calledThe Missing Mouse becauseScott Bradley was on vacation.[1] Back at Disney, Plumb orchestrated the music forSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the Whale Chase sequence inPinocchio,[2]Dumbo,Make Mine Music,Song of the South, Beanero inFun and Fancy Free,[3]So Dear to My Heart, some subsidiary cues forCinderella,Peter Pan, andLady and the Tramp. He also orchestrated a number of television programs forWalt Disney Presents, a number ofDavy Crockett films and onWestward Ho, the Wagons!, starringFess Parker. His final film project wasJohnny Tremain for Disney in 1957.
He receivedOscar nominations forBambi,Victory Through Air Power,Saludos Amigos andThe Three Caballeros.[4]
In the Tom and Jerry cartoon "The Missing Mouse" he is credited as "Edward Plumb" without the H. initial.
Plumb died on April 18, 1958 inLos Angeles, California. He was 51.[5][6]
Notes
The library of Congress
Film Composers in America 1911 - 1970 by Clifford McCarthy
Bibliography
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
