Patton Vs. Police Academy Vs. Midway March

Patton Vs. Police Academy Vs. Midway March

I remember playing John Williams' Midway March in high school. I remember one of my classmates in band stating that Midway March sounded a lot like the Police Academy theme song from the series. By the way, I loved playing Midway March in concert. It has the full brassy sound of John Williams.

Anyway, listen to Midway March and notice the similarities. Take note of the drum line at the 45 second mark.

Police Academy

Now listen to Robert Folk Main Title track for the Police Academy movie series.

Like Midway March, it has that Bagpipe feel to the opening. Clearly, Composer Folk was influenced by John Williams' March, but there is another theme that bears a resemblance to this track. It is Goldsmith's Patton theme.

Patton

Jerry Goldsmith's Main Theme for Patton is one of my favorite marches placing just above Williams' March. Mainly, this has to do with the fact that Goldsmith makes Patton's theme have dark overtones. And, the echoing trumpets also give this march a darker tone. (James Horner would use the echoing horns in two of Star Trek II tracks.)