Anastasia is an example of a weak British play turned into a much-admired Oscar and Bafta winning movie by screenwriter Arthur Laurents, director Anatole Litvak and composer Alfred Newman. Russian emigres living in Paris and Copenhagen ten years after the Tsar was executed during the First World War were historically drawn into an extortion scheme to draw on one of the family's unclaimed ten million pound bank accounts in the form of war reparations.
Yul Brynner is a player in the extortion scheme. As the group's window of opportunity to cop the lolly is drawing to a close, he boxes homeless woman, Ingrid Bergman, into being the claimant asking for fiscal executorship to draw on the ten million pound bank account. Because the players and their sycophants do not seem to be able to generate the legal paperwork to prepare the civil suit to claim the lolly, the second half draws into it a recluse widow played by Helen Hayes, whom they believe will be able to sort it out.
What none in the group, least of all Yul Brynner, expects is that two of Hollywood's most admired stars, Ingrid Bergman and Helen Hayes, are given character blocking to exhibit loose cannon personalities who purposefully blow everything up at every turn, and also light up the screen with heart-rending performances as foils to Brynner's charismatic presence and powerful gut determination to extort money. Following their powerful confrontations which take up much of the second half, Bergman and Hayes disappear from the action to prepare, offscreen, a formal diplomatic reception to which the press will be invited to witness Hayes' proclamation of support for Bergman's civil suit petition to cop the ten million pound lolly so Brynner can distribute some of it to each cohort.
Everyone gets a surprise when Bergman and Hayes slyly reveal their own counterplan to spoil everything and carry it off with aplomb, even if the denoument was not very well written in the play. Bergman quietly disappears into anonymity because her identity as a homeless woman is not yet established. Hayes informs her sycophants that she merely plans to make a grand entrance, then curtly command everyone to go home because there is no civil suit.
Play | Title | Artist |
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Anastasia
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Prologue: Once Upon a December (Nicole Scimeca & Mary Beth Peil)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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A Rumor in St. Petersburg (John Bolton, Derek Klena, Ramin Karimloo, Christy Altomare & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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In My Dreams (Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Learn to Do It (John Bolton, Derek Klena & Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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The Neva Flows (Ramin Karimloo)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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My Petersburg (Derek Klena)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Once Upon a December (Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Stay, I Pray You (Constantine Germanacos, Derek Klena, John Bolton, Christy Altomare & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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We'll Go from There (Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, John Bolton & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Still (Ramin Karimloo)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Journey to the Past (Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart) (John Bolton, Derek Klena, Christy Altomare & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Crossing a Bridge (Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Close the Door (Mary Beth Peil)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Land of Yesterday (Caroline O'Connor & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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The Countess and the Common Man (Caroline O'Connor & John Bolton)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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In a Crowd of Thousands (Derek Klena & Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Meant to Be (John Bolton)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Quartet at the Ballet (Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, Mary Beth Peil & Ramin Karimloo)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Everything to Win (Derek Klena)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Once Upon a December (Reprise) (Christy Altomare & Mary Beth Peil)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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The Press Conference (Caroline O'Connor, John Bolton & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Everything to Win (Reprise) (Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Still / The Neva Flows (Reprise) (Ramin Karimloo & Christy Altomare)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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Finale (Mary Beth Peil, Ramin Karimloo & Anastasia Company)
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Lynn Ahrens:
Performer
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A Rumor In St. Petersburg (Jonathan Dokuchitz & Kelsey Grammer)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Journey To The Past (Liz Callaway)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Once Upon A December (Liz Callaway)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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In The Dark Of The Night (Jim Cummings)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Learn To Do It (Jonathan Dokuchitz, Kelsey Grammer & Liz Callaway)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Learn To Do It
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Paris Holds The Key
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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At The Beginning (Richard Marx & Donna Lewis)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Journey To The Past (Aaliyah Version) (Aaliyah)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Once Upon A December (Deana Carter Version) (Liz Callaway)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Prologue (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Speaking Of Sophie (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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The Nightmare (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Kidnap And Reunion (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Reminiscing With Grandma (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Finale (David Newman)
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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Viaje Tiempo Atras
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Stephen Flaherty:
Performer
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20th Century Fox Fanfare
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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ANASTASIA: Theme / Paris / Russian Easter / Paris / Gaiety Bar / Self Destruction / Who am I?
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Troika
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Beginning
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Riberhaus March (Marche de la Bataille)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Valse
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Frustration
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Wildfeuer Polka
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Waltz
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Finale / End Titles
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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BAND OF ANGELS: Main Theme
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Starwood
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Slave Market
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Amantha
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Pointe du Loupe
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Burning the Cotton Crops
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Hamish Bomb
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Reunion / End Titles
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Fox Fanfare / Anastasia / Paris / Russian Easter
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Self-Destruction
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Who Am I - The Troika
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Trivoli - The Sleeping Princess
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Anastasia Waltz
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Meeting
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Wildfeuer Marsch - Marche De Bataille
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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End Title - Anastasia
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Anastasia (Previously Unreleased)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Fox Fanfare / Anastasia / Paris / Russian Easter (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Valse (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Self-Destruction (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Who Am I / The Troika (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Beginning (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Tivoli / The Sleeping Princess (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Anastasia Waltz (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Meeting (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Wildfeur Polka (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Recognition (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Riberhaus Marsch / Marche de bataille (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Frustration (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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End Title - Anastasia (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Anastasia (From "Anastasia")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Overture (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Families in Hiding (The Secret Annex)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The First Day (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Captives / Spring is Coming (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Ericka (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Date with Peter (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The First Kiss (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Dearness of You, Peter (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Epilogue (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Main Title (From "The Diary of Anne Frank)
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Exit Music I (From "The Diary of Anne Frank")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Intermission (From "The Diary of Anne Frank")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Exit Music II (From "The Diary of Anne Frank")
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How To Marry A Millionaire - Street Scene
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Diary of Anne Frank - Overture
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Diary of Anne Frank - Live in Hope
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Diary of Anne Frank - The First Kiss
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Diary of Anne Frank - Persecution / Finale
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Mark of Zorro - Overture
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Anastasia - Main Them
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Song of Bernadette - Overture
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How The West Was Won - Prelude / The Land
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How The West Was Won - Cleve and His Mule
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How The West Was Won - Intermezzo
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How The West Was Won - Cheyenne Attack and Aftermath / Finale
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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How The West Was Won - How The West Was Won
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Disc Time:
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Captain From Castle - Conquest
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Keys of the Kingdom - Overture
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Nevada Smith - Main Title
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Razor's Edge - Main Title
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Razor's Edge - Seduction
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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The Razor's Edge - India
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Wuthering Heights - Cathy's Theme
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - Prologue
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - Rejoice
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - The Great Journey
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - Miriam's Song
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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Man of Galilee - Sunrise of the Third Day
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Alfred Newman:
Performer
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