Vertigo

The music in Vertigo had many of the same qualities as the Classic Hollywood Film Score. There is no words featured in the music in the film, most of which is underscoring. Also, no popular music is featured, so the music gives no details as to when the movie is actually set. There is almost wall to wall music throughout the entire film and a full orchestra is used, similar to Gone with the Wind. Also, many leitmotifs exist: one for the investigative scenes where the detective is following his friend's wife, one for the romantic theme between the two, and one for when Carlotta is being described. The romantic theme that plays when the detective interacts with his friend's wife is used so often in the movie, especially at the end after her "death", that it almost becomes an overarching theme for the entire movie. This use of classic Hollywood film score music is very contrary to what was consistently happening in music in films made during this time.