She's Laura, But She's Only a Theme

Raksin's score to this mystery's haunting
But amor for dead misses is daunting
Though she's only a dream,
All alone he will steam
For her portrait's a bliss that is taunting.



Dana Andrews is obsessed with the portrait of Laura (1944), played by Gene Tierney. David Raksin wrote the memorable music, and Johnny Mercer later put lyrics to the theme. When asked why she had turned down the part of Laura, Hedy Lamarr said, "They sent me the script, not the score." With over 100 film scores and 300 television scores to his credit, Raksin became known as the "Grandfather of Film Music."