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 Conrad Veidt and Valerie Hobson. The film was "The Spy in Black", where Powell first met Emeric Pressburger. Korda also produced the comedy "Over the Moon" (1939) and the drama "21 Days" (1939). Korda, though, soon had financial difficulties and management of the Denham complex was merged with Pinewood in 1939, becoming part of the Rank Organisation. The outbreak of World War II in Europe meant "The Thief of Bagdad" had to be completed in Hollywood, where Korda was based again for a few years. While in the United States, Korda produced and directed "That Hamilton Woman" (1941) with Laurence