David Buttolph
A tireless composer whose music underscored the golden age of Hollywood, scoring over 300 films with memorable themes for Westerns and war movies.
1902–1983 (age 81)·American composer·Birthday: August 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
David Buttolph was a workhorse of the studio system, a composer who moved to Hollywood in the 1930s and became a foundational, if often uncredited, voice in American cinema. He didn't chase a single, signature style but instead adapted his robust, melodic craftsmanship to whatever the picture demanded, from the sweeping adventure of 'The Horse Soldiers' to the tense noir of 'Kiss of Death.' His career was defined by volume and versatility, contributing music to Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox for decades. While he never achieved the household name status of some contemporaries, his ability to deliver compelling, narrative-driven scores on tight deadlines made him an invaluable behind-the-scenes architect of movie magic. His work helped establish the sonic texture of mid-century American film.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
David was born in 1902, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1902
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1902Born
The eruption of Mount Pelee kills 30,000 in Martinique
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1907Started school
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1915Became a teenager
The Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat
President: Woodrow Wilson
1918Could drive
World War I ends; Spanish flu pandemic kills millions
President: Woodrow Wilson
1920Could vote
Women gain the right to vote in the US
Home: $3,395President: Woodrow Wilson"Swanee" — Al Jolson
1923Turned 21
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1932Turned 30
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1942Turned 40
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1952Turned 50
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1962Turned 60
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 70
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1982Turned 80
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1983Died at 81
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
Key Achievements
- Composed the iconic fanfare and theme music for the 20th Century Fox film logo, heard by millions.
- Scored the John Wayne classic 'The Horse Soldiers,' directed by John Ford.
- Provided the dramatic score for the film noir 'Kiss of Death,' starring Richard Widmark.
- Accumulated over 300 film and television scoring credits throughout his career.
Did You Know?
He was a skilled trombonist and played in theater and radio orchestras before focusing on composition.
His score for the 1945 film 'The House on 92nd Street' is considered an early example of the documentary-style thriller sound.
He was a member of ASCAP for over 40 years.
Buttolph also composed concert works, including a symphony and a string quartet.
“The music must serve the story, not the composer's ego.”
