Johnny Mandel - M*A*S*H (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2024)

M*A*S*H (stylized on-screen as MASH) is a 1970 American dark war comedy film directed by Robert Altman and written by Ring Lardner Jr., based on Richard Hooker's 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. The picture is the only theatrically released feature film in the M*A*S*H franchise.

Johnny Mandel composed incidental music used throughout the film. Also heard on the soundtrack are Japanese vocal renditions of such songs as "Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy", "My Blue Heaven", "Happy Days Are Here Again", "Chattanooga Choo Choo", and "Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo"; impromptu performances of "Onward, Christian Soldiers", "When the Lights Go On Again", and "Hail to the Chief" by cast members; and the instrumental "Washington Post March" during the climactic football game.

M*A*S*H features the song "Suicide Is Painless", with music by Mandel and lyrics by Mike Altman, the director's then 14-year-old son. The version heard under the opening credits was sung by uncredited session vocalists John Bahler, Tom Bahler, Ron Hicklin, and Ian Freebairn-Smith; on the single release, the song is attributed to "The Mash". The song is reprised later in the film by Pvt. Seidman (played by Ken Prymus) in the scene in which Painless attempts to commit suicide.

Soundtrack album
Columbia Masterworks issued a soundtrack album of the film in 1970:

Tracklist:
1.01 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Suicide Is Painless (From the 20th Century-Fox film ""M*A*S*H") (2:52)
1.02 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Duke and Hawkeye Arrive at M.A.S.H. (10:39)
1.03 - JOHNNY MANDEL - The Operating Theater / Happy Days Are Here Again (1:07)
1.04 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Major Houlihan and Major Burns (6:35)
1.05 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Painless Suicide, Funeral and Resurrection (7:57)
1.06 - JOHNNY MANDEL - "Hot Lips" Shows Her True Colors / Chattangooga Choo Choo (3:47)
1.07 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Moments to Remember / Happy Days Are Here Again (1:13)
1.08 - JOHNNY MANDEL - The Football Game (7:59)
1.09 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Going Home / Happy Days Are Here Again (3:31)
1.10 - Ahmad Jamal - M.A.S.H. Theme (Instrumental) (2:49)
1.11 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Dedication Scroll / Jeep Ride (1:04)
1.12 - JOHNNY MANDEL - The Jig's Up (0:57)
1.13 - JOHNNY MANDEL - To Japan (0:55)
1.14 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Japanese Children's Hospital (1:51)
1.15 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Tent Scene (1:56)
1.16 - JOHNNY MANDEL - Kill 'Em Galop (3:25)