Choose a film that appeared before 1960 and discuss the role of music in that work.

In your paper, do not summarize the plot. It should not look like the Viewer Guides. Please focus on the music. Here are some possible approaches:
A narrative approach allows you to talk about the film as it unfolds and analyze the music as it appears in the film. This is the easiest approach and also the least interesting. Still, a good paper can achieve an A grade.
You can choose some of the basic qualities of film music (placement, style, function, unity see Chapter 4) and treat each one separately. This places the emphasis on music more than in the narrative approach, but it can still seem mechanical.
Taking a point of view is the most challenging, thoughtful approach. It is especially recommended as a practice for those going to graduate schools. Decide on a point of view about the music in the film and support your view in a logical manner that does not depend on the narrative or the mechanical listing of musical characteristics. Possible subjects: how the music sets the moods; how the music shows the change of characters; how the music supports the action.