Attaboy, Vic!

When soundtrack composer Vic Mizzy caught a cab last week at the age of 91, all of the obituaries focused on his work as the creator of the theme songs for 'The Addams Family' and 'Green Acres.'

Wonderful achievements that they are, as every Vic Mizzy fan out there knows, it's Vic's movie work which best encapsulates the man's artistry. Even if it's a movie you've never seen before, the man's style is instantly recognizable. That was the case for me when I saw the William Castle production, 'The Busy Body' a while ago under the misunderstanding that it was a Wally Cox movie. The opening credits begin and it's a soft-shoe tap dance thing punctuated by machine-gun blasts - and I'm thinking, I've heard this kind of stuff before. Sure enough, it was Vic.

Think of his work as Henry Mancini all hepped up on laughing gas. Whimsey and joyful goofiness. The kind of tune that will having you tapping your feet or bobbing your head and stay locked inside your brain for days to come. The closest we have to it these days is Danny Elfman - but only from his 'Pee Wee's Big Adventure' and 'Beetlejuice' period.

All Mizzy scholars agree that the work which showcases his talent the best is his soundtrack to Don Knotts' 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.' The was the first of many projects between Mizzy, Knotts and writers Ev Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell. They also collaborated on 'The Reluctant Astronaut,' 'The Shakiest Gun in the West,' 'The Love God.' In some Knotts films, such as the dreadful 'How to Frame a Figg,' Vic's music is often the best thing in the entire movie.

But what's that you say? You haven't seen 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken' in years? Well, let me hum the theme for you - 'Duh-do.Ta-do/Da doodle-da-do. Ta-do.' Ring a bell? Well, perhaps the stains from the haunted organ which plays by itself. The one old man Simpson was playing the night he murdered his young bride with a pair of garden sheers. Her bloodstains are still on the keys. They could never get them out. And they used Bon Ami.

It's such a classic that it's been covered by surf-guitar punks The Tiki-Tones. Their version even includes an "Attaboy, Luther!" thrown in for good measure.

Photos above - Don Knotss as 'Luther Heggs' in 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.' Below, Vic Mizzy at the organ in his Beverly Hills home.