Gail Laughton, born Denzil Gail Laughton (1921–1985), was an American jazz harpist. He worked in Hollywood, playing on many film and cartoon soundtracks.
Early life
Laughton was born in Oklahoma. His parents were both involved with the harp: his mother as a teacher and his father, Charles T. Laughton, as a harp builder. As a young child, he played with his family's orchestra, touring Cuba and Panama. He joined the
Oklahoma City Symphony in 1937, hired through the WPA at the minimum age of 15.
Career
Laughton appeared regularly on the
Al Pearce
Albert Pearce (July 25, 1898 – June 2, 1961) was an American comedian, singer and banjo player who was a popular personality on several radio networks from 1928 to 1947.
Biography
After selling insurance door-to-door during the 1920s, Pearc ...
Show, a weekly radio broadcast, beginning in 1942. Laugton performs as Cary Grant's hands and arms during the harp-playing scene in
The Bishop's Wife
''The Bishop's Wife'' (also known as ''Cary and the Bishop's Wife'') is a 1947 American Christmas Romance film, romantic Fantasy film, fantasy comedy film directed by Henry Koster, starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. The plot is ...
.
Discography
Albums, as performer
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A Streetcar Named Desire
''A Streetcar Named Desire'' is a play written by Tennessee Williams and first performed on Broadway on December 3, 1947. The play dramatizes the experiences of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who, after encountering a series of pe ...
soundtrack (Capitol Records, 1951)
* ''Gandharva'' -
Beaver & Krause
Beaver & Krause were an American musical duo comprising Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause. Their 1967 album ''The Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music'' was a pioneering work in the electronic music genre. The pair were Robert Moog's sales representat ...
(Warner Brothers Records, 1971)
Solo album
*''Harps of the Ancient Temples'' (Rapture, 1969) - "The shimmering, ethereal quality of the harp sings out under
isloving care." The track 'Pompeii 76 A.D.' from this LP was used in the movie ''
Blade Runner
''Blade Runner'' is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos, it is an adaptation of Philip K. Di ...
'', mislabeled as "Harp of the Ancient Temples" and/or "Bicycle Riders".
Singles
* Mel Tormé with Hal Mooney & His Orchestra, 11/16/1947 session: "I Cover the Waterfront" bw "County Fair" (Musicraft 5009), "A Foggy Day" (Musicraft 589) "Makin' Whoopee" (Musicraft 534), "Little White Lies" (Musicraft 558), "Do It Again" (Musicraft 534), "Night and Day" (Musicraft 538)
*
Ben Light, "When Day is Done"/"Cocktails for Two" (Tempo TR-608)
References
External links
Review of Harps of the Ancient Temples with some backgroundDiscogs pageFilm Score Monthly list of soundtracks
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1921 births
1985 deaths
American jazz harpists
20th-century American male musicians
Jazz musicians from Oklahoma
American male jazz musicians
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