Thanks Jason.
I often noticed how good the music was in various B-movies, including one called "Invisible Invaders" that obviously was on a tight budget, so had a ensemble of horns, electric organ, and some percussion. But it was really well done and effective use of the small resources. "It Came From Outer Space" had a bigger budget, and is really a fine piece of atmospheric music with interesting complex harmonies, great orchestration. And of course there is the pioneering "Forbidden Planet" which is still very avant garde - especially with the analog synthesizer renaissance that has happened. My favorite B-movie music, though it is not sci-fi, is Roy Webb's scores for "Cat People," "I Walked with a Zombie," "The Leopard Man," "The Seventh Victim" and several other Val Lewton films. They are truly great film music in a partly impressionist, partly modernist style that adds hugely to the atmosphere of those subtle psychological horror films.
