Irving Gertz | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1915-05-19)May 19, 1915 |
| Died | November 14, 2008(2008-11-14) (aged 93) |
| Known for | Horror composor |
| Children | 2 |
Irving Gertz (May 19, 1915 – November 14, 2008[1]) was an American composer recognized for his compositions for many fantasy and horrorB-movies and TV series of the 1950s and 1960s.
Gertz was born on May 19, 1915, inProvidence, Rhode Island, and played the clarinet, piano, string bass and tuba as a youth, and attended theProvidence College of Music. Gertz studied composition privately with composer and music theoristWalter Piston. He was hired byColumbia Pictures in 1938, but left to serve in theUnited States Army Signal Corps duringWorld War II.[2]
After his military service, he studied with composerMario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.[2]
Amongst his most recognized works are the music for the westernsTop Gun (1955) andBadman's Country (1958), and many horror films (often uncredited), such asThe Alligator People (1959),Curse of the Undead (1959) andThe Leech Woman (1960). His later film scores includedHell Bent for Leather (1960),Young Jesse James (1960),Marines, Let's Go (1961),The Fiercest Heart (1961),He Rides Tall (1964),Fluffy (1965) andNobody's Perfect (1968).
In addition to his work with film, Gertz also worked on the popular 20th Century Fox TV seriesDaniel Boone,Land of the Giants andVoyage to the Bottom of the Sea. He also worked on a singleWarner Bros. cartoonDaffy Rents in 1966, filling in for regular composerWilliam Lava.
Gertz retired from film and television scoring in 1968.
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