THE GOLDEN AGE OF CRIME DRAMAS VOL. 1: UNDERWORLD, U.S.A. / CROSSROADS TO CRIME

Dragon's Domain Records proudly presents the first volume in a new ongoing series of music from classic crime dramas from the Golden Age,featuring two world premiere releases of music from UNDERWORLD, U.S.A. and CROSSROADS TO CRIME.

Released in 1961, UNDERWORLD, U.S.A. was written and directed by the legendary Samuel Fuller (THE BIG RED ONE), starring Cliff Robertson, Dolores Dorn, Beatrice Kay, Paul Dubov, Robert Emhardt, Larry Gates,Richard Rust and Gerald Milton. Inspiration for UNDERWORLD U.S.A. came from a series of articles by Joseph F. Dinneen for The Saturday Evening Post, as well as Riley Cooper's book HERE IS TO CRIME. Fuller chose to frame his exploration of organized crime around a tale of vengeance as Tolly Devlin (Robertson) vows to find the men who beat his father to death when he was a child. Devlin succeeds in working his way into the organization where the killers have now become powerful lieutenants and manages to sow distrust within their ranks.

The score for UNDERWORLD, U.S.A. was composed by Harry Sukman, an American composer, conductor and pianist. Among his many credits include GOG, SCREAMING EAGLES, FORTY GUNS, THE HANGMAN, FANNY, THE SINGING NUN and SALEM'S LOT, and dozens of episodes from various television series including LARAMIE, DR. KILDARE, PEYTON PLACE, THE HIGH CHAPARRAL and BONANZA.

Released in 1960, CROSSROADS TO CRIME was directed by Gerry Anderson (THUNDERBIRDS, SPACE: 1999), written by Alun Falconer, based on a story by Edgar Wallace, starring Miriam Karlin, George Murcell, David Graham and Victor Maddern. CROSSROADS TO CRIME was the first live-action feature from the fledgling AP Films prior to achieving international success with SUPERCAR (1961-62). While patrolling his beat, Police Constable Don Ross (Oliver) suspects a criminal gang is operating out of an English truck stop. Defying the orders of his commanding officer, he is determined to stop the local crime boss (Ferdy Mayne) and his two thugs (SUPERCAR voice artists George Murcell and David Graham) from hijacking a load of nickel ingots.

The score for CROSSROADS TO CRIME was composed by Barry Gray, who had just finished working with Gerry Anderson on a puppet series they co-created, FOUR FEATHER FALLS. Gray would continue to be an invaluable member of the AP Films team (later Century 21), creating the musical identity for such Gerry and Sylvia Anderson TV series as THUNDERBIRDS, UFO and SPACE: 1999.

This first volume in Dragon's Domain Records series of classic crime dramas has been mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland, featuring exclusive liner notes by Starlog Magazine's David Hirsch on the music featured on the album.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF CRIME DRAMAS, VOLUME 1 is a limited edition release.

SPECIAL NOTE: These recordings were originally taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks and therefore certain limitations from the source tapes may be evident. We have tried to preserve as closely as possible, the quality of the original recordings
Release: the week of March 23rd, 2026

UNDERWORLD, U.S.A.
(1961 - Harry Sukman)
01. Underworld U.S.A. Main Title / Alley Fight / Tolly Witnesses / Alley Murder (2:30)
02. Tolly's Father Is Dead (Interpolates Auld Lang Syne) / Arrested / Flashback / Arrested Again (2:45)
03. Prison Hospital Job / Wait For Farrar / Alone With Farrar / Hunt For Gela Begins / Break-In (4:06)
04. Meet Cuddles / Tolly Rescues Cuddles / Escape / To The Bait Shop / Tolly Takes The Drugs (3:53)
05. Tolly and Gus Meet In Alley / Sandy Tells Cuddles The Truth /
Police Station Transition A (1:37)
06. Fowler's Suicide / Gus Kills Mankin's Daughter (2:08)
07. Tolly and Cuddles Make Love (1:47)
08. Smith Arrested / Headline Montage / Police Station Transition B / Gunther Arrives / Double Cross / Gus Kills Gunther (2:20)
09. Cuddles Proposes Marriage To Tolly / Thinking of Cuddles (3:10)
10. Tailing Gela Parts A & B / Seeing Gela With Driscoll / Gus Calls Tolly (1:33)
11. Tolly Beats Gela / Gela's Death (1:58)
12. Marriage Proposal Reconsidered / Tolly Confronts Connors (1:49)
13. Tolly Is Shot / Dying In Cuddles Arms / Finale (3:03)
14. Underworld U.S.A. (1961) Theatrical Trailer (2:26)

CROSSROADS TO CRIME
(1960 - Barry Gray)
15. Crossroads to Crime Main Title (1:43)
16. Presumed Kidnapping / Copper Hurt (1:01)
17. Lying to the Constable at Home (2:33)
18. Mr. Miles Warns Mrs. Williams and Mr. Diamond (1:24)
19. The Job at the Cafe / Sargeant Discovers Bribe (3:46)
20. Lorry Taken / Ross Plots with Mrs. Williams / Final Job (2:53)
21. We Need the Copper / The Heist (4:44)
22. Shootout With Diamond / End Titles (2:49)
23. Crossroads to Crime (1960) Theatrical Trailer (2:04)

Total Time 58:13