The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) soundtrack: A definitive guide to all songs in the movie

The Hudsucker Proxy is a screwball comedy movie, directed by the Coen brothers, that came out on March 15, 1994. The story is about Norville Barnes, a young, naive business graduate who gets a job at Hudsucker Industries in the mailroom.

Sidney J. Mussburger, a board member, comes up with a plan to manipulate the company's stock after Waring Hudsucker, the president, kills himself. He chooses Norville to be the new president because he thinks that his lack of experience would make the stock fall.

However, Norville's simple invention, the hula-hoop, became a big hit, which made Mussburger's plan more difficult to carry out. The story deals with themes like ambition, lying and an unexpected victory.

All the music in The Hudsucker Proxy highlights Carter Burwell’s compelling score. The soundtrack features 15 tracks, combining Burwell’s original compositions with classical works by Aram Khachaturian. These tracks enhance the whimsical and nostalgic tone of the movie, making the music a crucial element of the film’s charm and appeal.

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Exploring The Hudsucker Proxy soundtrack

• Prologue – Carter Burwell
• Norville Suite – Carter Burwell
• Waring’s Descent – Carter Burwell
• The Hud Sleeps – Carter Burwell
• Light Lunch – Carter Burwell
• The Wheel Turns – Carter Burwell
• The Hula Hoop – Carter Burwell
• Useful – Carter Burwell
• Walk of Shame – Carter Burwell
• Blue Letter – Carter Burwell
• A Long Way Down – Carter Burwell
• The Chase – Carter Burwell
• Norville’s End – Carter Burwell
• Epilogue – Carter Burwell
• Norville’s Reprise – Carter Burwell

The main theme in the movie, The Hudsucker Proxy, derived from Aram Khachaturian’s Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia, sets a whimsical tone.

This ballet piece accompanies key moments, including the memorable Hula-Hoop scene. Khachaturian’s Gayane Suite enriches the soundtrack with tracks like Dance of the Young Mountaineers and Sabre Dance, underlining pivotal scenes.

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The Hudsucker Proxy: Where to watch and plot of the movie

Norville Barnes, a business graduate from Muncie, came to New York City in December 1958 to look for work. He gets a job at Hudsucker Industries in the mailroom. Waring Hudsucker, the president of the company, suddenly kills himself, which throws the board into chaos.

A dishonest board member named Sidney J. Mussburger comes up with a plan to bring down the stock price of the company by naming an incompetent president. He picks Norville because he thinks that his naivety would help the plan.

Norville talks about his idea, which is just a simple circle drawing. At the same time, smart reporter Amy Archer pretends to be Norville's secretary to find out what he's really like. As she looks further, she finds out about Mussburger's plot, but she can't persuade her editor.

The hula-hoop, Norville's invention, fails at first but quickly becomes popular across the country. Due to his fame, Norville has become a cold tycoon. Amy is upset because she has grown to like him. Buzz, an eager elevator operator, comes up with another idea, and Norville fires him.

Mussburger plans to get rid of Norville after finding out who Amy really is. On New Year's Eve, Norville, who's drunk and down on his luck, climbs to the edge of the skyscraper. Time stops as he falls, and Moses, who runs the clock. Waring Hudsucker shows up as an angel and tells Norville that he has a letter that gives Hudsucker's shares to his successor.

Norville lands safely, makes up with Amy, and comes back with a new idea: the frisbee. Mussburger's plan doesn't work, which is what brings him down.

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The Hudsucker Proxy is available on various streaming platforms and can be rented or purchased online, like Apple TV+.