Samuel J. Hoffman (born in New York City, July 23, 1903 – died in Los Angeles, December 6, 1967) was a notable thereminist.At age 14, began playing the violin professionally in New York City. Under the stage name Hal Hope, he led nightclub and society bands. By 1936, he had taken up the theremin and begun featuring it in publicity for his engagements.In 1941, Hoffman moved to Los Angeles, where he established a medical practice and had little time for musical activity. But as the only theremin player in Local 47 of the Musicians Union, he got the call in 1945 when composer Miklos Rosza decided he wanted to use a theremin in the score to Spellbound. Hoffman began performing under his real name; he was customarily referred to as "Doctor" because he was also a podiatrist. In the wake of the film's success, he was asked to play on many more soundtracks; for instance, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). He was in demand for horror movie and sci fi soundtracks through the end of the 1950s.In the late 1940s, he recorded three studio albums with bandleader Les Baxter. These were forerunners to exotica; they also influenced Sun Ra, who recorded a composition from Perfume Set to Music on his first LP, Jazz by Sun Ra. One of Hoffman's last recordings, made in 1967, was Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band, where he appeared on two tracks.
musician: theremin effects - as Dr. Samuel Hoffman
Impact
1949
musician: theremin - uncredited
Let's Live a Little
1948
musician: theremin - uncredited
Raw Deal
1948
musician: theremin - uncredited
Road to Rio
1947
musician: theremin - uncredited
The Pretender
1947
musician: theremin effects - as Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman
The Red House
1947
musician: theremin - uncredited
The Spiral Staircase
1946
musician: theremin - uncredited
The Lost Weekend
1945
musician: theremin - uncredited
Spellbound
1945
musician: theremin - uncredited
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Visit
2015/I
"Possession"
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1993
Documentary performer: "Spellbound", "Lost Weekend" / performer: "The Day the Earth Stood Still", "Someday My Prince Will Come" - as Dr. Samuel Hoffman
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Johnny Carson Show
1955
TV Series
Himself
All Star Revue
1952
TV Series
Himself - Guest Musician
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1993
Documentary
Himself - in 'The Mickey Mouse Club Show' Clip (uncredited)