"Gypsy" -- I have, for some time now, had access to some information I've never been able to verify about how the movie soundtrack was recorded.
First and foremost, there's not one credit in Frank Perkins' resume that would make anyone think he could have pulled off something like the "Gypsy" soundtrack. With Ray Heindorf on the lot, doing "The Music Man," it's inconceivable to believe that Jack Warner -- with Mervyn LeRoy as director -- would have entrusted Broadway's arguably "greatest" score to fall into the hands of a second- or third-string conductor in the Warners music department. The only other recording I have by Perkins is "Palm Springs Weekend" -- and it ain't nowhere near as good.
That said, I had a friend who had asked around about this adaptation. He told me that Roger Edens had a hand in the arrangements along with some of the brightest luminaries in Hollywood's music departments, none of whom could be credited. He told me that it's Edens conducting the orchestra on screen during the overture. As to who actually conducted the score, I don't recall whether Perkins was solely responsible for that or not. Seems to me like several people may have done various bits and pieces of it.
I don't know if Bruce's connection with Stephen Sondheim (or perhaps someone else who might "know") could shed any lighton this or not.
As I said, I got this from a friend....
