The Third Man Theme The Third Man Theme "The Third Man Theme" (also known as "The Harry Lime Theme") is an instrumental written and performed by Anton Karas for the soundtrack to the 1949 film "The Third Man". "The Third Man" is a 1949 British film noir, directed by Carol Reed. One night after a long day of filming "The Third Man" on location in Vienna, Reed and cast members Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli and Orson Welles had dinner and retired to a wine cellar. In the bistro, which retained the atmosphere of the pre-war days, they heard the zither music of Anton Karas,
Alexander Korda may make British pictures here but the pictures made would be just as American as those made in Hollywood. We are now on the verge of forming a British school of film making in this country." Korda produced "Fire Over England" (1937) with Olivier and Vivien Leigh. He also attempted a version of "I, Claudius" with Laughton and Merle Oberon which was abandoned. Korda made "Dark Journey" (1937) with Conrad Veidt and Leigh, and had a big hit with "Elephant Boy" (1937) directed by his brother from a Rudyard Kipling story; it made a star of Sabu. Korda also made