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Bert Shefter
Bert Shefter
Bert Shefter
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Bert Shefter (May 15, 1902 – June 29, 1999) was a Russian-born film composer who worked primarily in America.

Biography

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He was born in Poltava, Russian Empire (now Ukraine.) After emigrating to the USA he attended the Carnegie Institute, Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music & the Damrosch Institute, NYC. He began his musical career as a duo-pianist with Morton Gould (known as "Shefter & Gould".) They performed in theaters and on the radio between 1930–1936. He developed his skills as a conductor, and began appearing both as solo pianist and conductor on stage. He was the guest conductor at Carnegie Hall during the 1946–1947 season.[1]

He formed his own orchestra, and appeared on New York radio including some broadcasts over the NBC Network. He also conducted his orchestra on recordings for several record labels and for the "Muzak" store music service.

His first work in film music was as musical director for the production One Too Many in 1950.

In the late 1950s, Shefter struck up an alliance with fellow film composer Paul Sawtell and they produced many film scores together.[2] Most notably they provided the music to classic science fiction and horror films including Kronos (1957), It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), Return of the Fly (1959), The Lost World (1960), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961, in cooperation with producer Irwin Allen), and Jack the Giant Killer (1962). In 1965 they composed some scores for the director Russ Meyer, such as the cult classic Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Motorpsycho. The last score they provided was for the Mexican film Emiliano Zapata in 1970 shortly before Sawtell's retirement.

Later years

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He retired in 1975 and died in 1999 at the age of 97 in West Hollywood, CA.

Selected filmography

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References

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Bert Shefter

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Bert Shefter (May 15, 1904 – June 29, 1999) was a Russian-born American film composer and pianist known for his prolific contributions to motion pictures and television, particularly through his long-term collaboration with Paul Sawtell on science fiction, horror, and adventure films during the 1950s and 1960s. His work often featured in classic genre cinema, including memorable scores for The Fly, Return of the Fly, The Lost World, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Jack the Giant Killer. Shefter began his career as a concert pianist and conductor after studying at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Damrosch Institute. He gained early prominence as half of the piano duo Shefter and Gould, performing in theaters and on radio from 1930 to 1936, and later appeared as a soloist and conductor with major orchestras while recording for labels such as Victor, Decca, and Brunswick. He also served as guest conductor at Carnegie Hall and led his own orchestra for New York radio broadcasts. Transitioning to film in 1950, Shefter composed for more than sixty motion pictures and contributed to approximately nine hundred television episodes, including extensive work on Warner Brothers series such as 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Cheyenne. His partnership with Sawtell, which began in 1957 and lasted until Sawtell's death in 1971, defined much of his later career and included scores for both major studio releases and independent productions. Shefter retired in 1975 and passed away on June 29, 1999 in West Hollywood, California.

Early life and education

Bert Abram Shefter was born on May 15, 1904 in Poltava, Russian Empire (now Ukraine). He attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology, Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music, and the Damrosch Institute in New York.

Pre-film career

Shefter performed as half of the piano duo “Shefter and Gould” with Morton Gould in theaters and on radio from 1930 to 1936. He became a well-known concert pianist, appearing as soloist and conductor with orchestras such as the Hollywood Bowl Symphony, London Philharmonia, New York Philharmonic, and Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra. He was guest conductor at Carnegie Hall during the 1946–1947 season, formed his own orchestra, and conducted for New York radio stations including WOR, NBC, and WINS, where he served as musical director. He recorded for Victor, Decca, Brunswick, and Muzak.

Film career

Shefter began composing for films in 1950, starting as musical director for One Too Many. He composed for more than sixty motion pictures, including notable works such as The Fly, Return of the Fly, The Lost World, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Jack the Giant Killer, Kronos, It! The Terror from Beyond Space, and others.

Collaboration with Paul Sawtell

In 1957, Shefter formed a long-term partnership with composer Paul Sawtell that lasted until Sawtell's death in 1971. Together they scored numerous science fiction, horror, and adventure films, including Kronos (1957), It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), Return of the Fly (1959), The Lost World (1960), Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961), and Jack the Giant Killer (1962).

Television career

Shefter contributed to approximately nine hundred television episodes, with extensive work for Warner Brothers series including 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Cheyenne, Bourbon Street Beat, Bronco, Hawaiian Eye, Lawman, Surfside 6, and others.

Later years and death

Shefter retired in 1975. He passed away on June 29, 1999 in West Hollywood, California, at the age of 95.
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