Disneyland / Walt Disney Presents / Wonderful World of Color (children)

    (ABC Sunday Nights, 1954 - 1958, as "Disneyland";
     ABC Sunday Nights, 1958 - 1961, as "Walt Disney Presents";
     NBC Sunday Nights, 1961 - 1969,
                   as "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color";
     NBC Sunday Nights, 1969 - 1979,
                   as "The Wonderful World of Disney";
     NBC Sunday Nights, 1979 - 1981, as "Disney's Wonderful World";
     CBS Sunday Nights, 1981 - 1983, as "Walt Disney";
     ABC Sunday Nights, 1986 - 1988, as "The Disney Sunday Movie";
     NBC Sunday Nights, 1988 - 1990, as "The Magical World of Disney";
     Re-runs on "The Disney Channel" cable network)

    [In 1954, the king of feature film animation, Walt Disney, 
     secured a loan from the ABC television network, as part
     of a badly needed financing package for his new "Disneyland"
     theme park planned for construction in Anaheim, in exchange 
     for producing (and hosting) a TV series for the third-
     place ABC Television network which badly needed a known 
     quantity to attract ratings;

     The deal worked out beautifully for both ABC and Disney,
     and the show became a staple of Sunday Night programming
     for decades; in fact it was the first ABC series ever to
     break into the top-20 rated Nielsen television shows; 

     The Disney-produced series showcased animated cartoon
     characters, promoted upcoming theatrical films, and,
     of course, the upcoming theme park, which was dubbed
     "the Magic Kingdom"; In time, Walt paid back the ABC
     loan in full so he retained control of his "kingdom";

     Along with Disney cartoons and features, a number of 
     live action mini-series were presented within the hour-
     long "umbrella" of this series -- including "Davy Crockett",
     "The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca", "The Swamp Fox", "Texas
     John Slaughter", "Spin and Marty", and "True-life Adventure" 
     documentaries; "Disneyland" also spawned a couple of spinoff
     series like "Zorro" and "The Mickey Mouse Club", which see;

     Three years after Disneyland -- the theme park, opened in 1955, 
     the TV series changed its name to "Walt Disney Presents" in
     1958. Perhaps some people thought such a change was needed to 
     avoid confusion...or they wanted to position the show away
     from the appearance of being a total info-mercial;

     When color came to television, ABC was lagging behind, so in 
     1961, "Walt Disney Presents" moved to NBC where it became
    "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" with a new vocal
     THEME song incorporated into its colorful opening;
 
     In 1981, after two decades with NBC, the network decided to
     drop the series due to relatively low ratings; so the 
     series was picked up by CBS for two more years and back
     to ABC in 1983;

     In 1986 ABC decided to revamp the format; Uncle Walt was
     gone, so Michael Eisner -- the "young turk" who was now
     heading the Disney company made appearances as the 
     figurehead; and the series now was renamed the "Disney
     Sunday Movie" in competition with Movies-of-the-Week
     on other networks; the 2nd time around with ABC lasted 
     just two seasons;

     In 1988, the series moved again -- this time to NBC -- 
     where it stayed two more years; but 1990 was the end for
     the series which was a legend on broadcast television; It
     was not the end of opportunities to watch the show, however;

     Disney had begun its own cable network in 1983, so even 
     after the show went off broadcast networks, re-runs have
     aired on "The Disney Channel" ever since...even the black
     and white episodes can be enjoyed during late nights;

     The Main Title THEMEs to open the show in its early years
     incorporated "When You Wish Upon A Star" in medleys with other
     Disney melodies and original material as needed; The Main Title
     changed for six seasons when the series went color in 1961 to
     a Sherman Brothers song, "The Wonderful World of Color" and then 
     in 1967 returned to instrumental Main Titles which incorporated
     "When You Wish Upon a Star" along with original material;

     End Credits THEMEs in its early years were often show-specific --
     which replaced "When You Wish Upon A Star" as often as not; But
     otherwise the End Credits were a full version of "When You Wish
     Upon A Star";

     There were also various "Opening Billboards" or "Teasers" played 
     behind announcers who previewed show content before the Main Titles]


Opening Billboard 1: "Splashes (Signature)"

    [this billboard was used behind the opening "Tinkerbell" animation]

     Composer: Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Opening Billboard 2: "Disney Billboards 1978-1979 (from The Wonderful World of Disney T.V. Series)"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright]

     Composer: Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Aug. 21, 1978; PAu-41-638.

     Recording:


Opening Billboard 3 (Part A): "Disney's Wonderful World, no. 1, 7-5-79"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright; the filing indicates that
     it was written July 5, 1979; but four days on July 9th a revision
    "no. 2 (Wishin' Star)" -- was created. In Main THEMEs below, credited
     to the team of Debney and Klawitter, filings indicate previous material
     was included copyright 1938; which may mean the above revision was
     made to include a quote of "When You Wish Upon A Star";

     Then in October of the same year a third filing was made, indicating
     it was a revision of the second version in which "additional lyrics"
     were added;

     Apparently this melody was treated like that from a songwriting team, 
     (even though Debney is a composer who later scored films) since all 3
     filings indicate it was a "vocal leadsheet" which was then apparently
     orchestrated by staff music director Buddy Baker (see part 3b below)]

     Composers: music by John Cardon Debney (ASCAP) and
                lyric by John M. Klawitter (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

    [as "Disney's Wonderful World : no. 1, 7-5-79"]:
     Copyright Date: July 30, 1979; PAu-127-561.

    [as "Disney's Wonderful World : no. 2 (Wishin' Star) 7-5-79, rev. 7-9-79"]:
     Copyright Date: July 30, 1979; PAu-127-562.

    [as "Disney's Wonderful World : Wishin' Star, number 2 : additional lyrics"]:
     Copyright Date: Oct. 12, 1979; PAu-145-446.

     Recording:


Opening Billboard 3 (Part B): "Disney's Wonderful World--Billboards 1979-80, prod. 5904-355 (T.V.)"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright; the filing includes this:
    "On caption: Disney's Wonderful World (Wishin' star) number 2, w. John
     Klawitter, music John Debney. Variant title on succeeding captions: 
     Disney's Wonderful world, number 2 (Wishin' star)";

     This is apparently an orchestration filed for copyright separately
     of the above composition described in "Opening Billboard 3 (Part A)"]

     Composer: Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Aug. 13, 1979; PAu-134-786.

     Recording:


Main Theme 1 (1954 - 1961, 1981 - present): "When You Wish Upon A Star"

    [Written for the animated film "Walt Disney's Pinocchio" (1940),
     this song was the featured part of the Opening THEME until color TV 
     came to ABC in 1961; but it was still used in THEME Medleys 
     even after that time;

     The version used on the TV series the first season was straight off
     of the 1940 "Pinocchio" soundtrack, which was arranged and orchestrated
     by Paul Smith, Ed Plumb, Frederick Stark and Charles Wolcott; and
     sung by Cliff Edwards (the voice of "Jiminy Cricket");

     Over the years arrangements of it was quoted or used in various 
     Open and Close THEME medleys with other Disney melodies, at
     various times usually arranged by various Disney staff Music 
     Directors including Paul J. Smith, George E. Bruns and, in
     later years, Norman "Buddy" Baker; 
     
     This hopeful song is the one that is most associated with the TV
     series and the Disney "Magic Kingdom"]

     Composers: music by Leigh Harline (ASCAP), and
                lyric by Ned Washington (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: The Bourne Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: The Bourne Co. (ASCAP)
                        of New York, NY

     Unpublished Copyright Date: Aug. 23, 1938; Eu 176 054.
     Unpublished Renewal   Date: Mar. 30, 1966; R  383 580.

     Recording:


Main Theme 2 (1955 - 1958): "Disneyland"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright and in the ASCAP Index
     of Performed Compositions and ASCAP ACE database; 

     Craig Pattillo's "TV Theme Soundtrack Directory" states this THEME was
     a medley of "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Whistle While You Work" and
     "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett" used to open the show from 1955 - 1958;
     (The Disney mini-series "Davy Crockett" had become a national craze 
     with many boys insisting on buying and wearing imitation 'coonskin' 
     caps like little mountain men...); 

     Presumably these 3 tunes were integrated using original transition 
     material by Bruns; The filing for copyright includes the statement
    "new words & additional music" and includes a lyric credit for 
     Larry Morey who co-wrote "Whistle While You Work" with Frank Churchill,
     although for some reason Churchill's name was left off the filing; 
     The "Ballad of Davy Crockett" was written by George E. Bruns;

     The filing for copyright indicates that composers Bruns and Morey
     wrote this composition "as a work for hire by The Walt Disney Company";

     Of course, ironically, by 1958 the show was not called "Disneyland"
     anymore at all, but rather "Walt Disney Presents"]

     Composers/Arrangers: music by George E. Bruns (ASCAP/BMI) and
                          lyric by Larry Morey (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Aug. 8, 1958; Eu 536 862.
     Renewal   Date: Nov. 3, 1986; RE-308-460.

     Recording:


Opening Theme 3 (1958-): "Walt Disney Presents"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright, presumably this is
     original material to open the segment featuring host Walt Disney;
     ASCAP title variation aka: "Walt Intro"]

     Composer/Arranger: Joseph S. Dubin (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Sep. 5, 1958; Eu 540 551.
     Renewal   Date: 

     Recording:


Closing Theme 3 (1958-): "Walt Disney Presents: Finale"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright, presumably this is
     an arrangement of "When You Wish Upon A Star" along with some
     original material to close the program or the segment with host Walt Disney]

     Composer/Arranger: Joseph S. Dubin (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Sep. 5, 1958; Eu 540 552.
     Renewal   Date: 

     Recording:


Main Theme 4 (1959 - 1961): "Disneyland '59"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright, presumably this is
     an arrangement of "When You Wish Upon A Star" along with some
     original material; The copyright filing includes the statement
    "music and arr. by George Bruns, as a work for hire by The Walt
     Disney Company"; Ironically, by 1959 the show was not called 
    "Disneyland" anymore, but rather "Walt Disney Presents";

     ASCAP title variation...
     aka: "Disneyland '59 Cues"]

     Composer/Arranger: George E. Bruns (ASCAP/BMI)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Aug. 10, 1959; Eu 590 467.
     Renewal   Date: Mar. 23, 1987; RE-334-979.

     Recording:


Main Theme 5 (Part A) (1961 - 1969): "The Wonderful World Of Color"

    [the Sherman brothers were one of several songwriting teams
     employed by Disney over the years to write title songs; their
     THEME to introduce the color version of the series was supplied
     as a "vocal leadsheet"; and versions of the opening music were 
     arranged and orchestrated by the Disney staff music directors;
     During the 1960s, the music director was Norman ("Buddy") Baker;

     So that is why the arrangements used on the air were filed for
     copyrights under the name of "Buddy Baker, as employer for hire
     of the Walt Disney Corporation", under the following titles:

    "Standard Openings 1961-62 (Pt. 1.) from 'Wonderful World of Color'";
    "Standard Openings 1961-62 (Pt. 2.) from 'Wonderful World of Color'";
    "Standard Openings 1961-62 (Pt. 3.) from 'Wonderful World of Color'" ]

     Composers: music by Robert B. Sherman (BMI),
                lyric by Richard M. Sherman (BMI), and
                arrangements by Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     Original Publisher: The Walt Disney Music Company (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Wonderland Music Company, Inc. (BMI)
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

    [as "The Wonderful World of Color (Vocal leadsheet)"]:
     Copyright Date: Jan. 23, 1961; Eu 656 015.
     Renewal   Date: July 14, 1989; RE-440-972.


    [as "Standard Openings 1961-62 from 'Wonderful World of Color'" --
         Prod. 5904-101 TV]:
     Copyright Date: Sep. 22, 1961; Eu 688 166.
     Renewal   Date: July 17, 1989; RE-440-909.


    [as "Standard Openings 1961-62 (Pt. 2) from 'Wonderful World of Color'" --
         Prod. 5904-101 TV]:
     Copyright Date: Oct, 16, 1961; Eu 691 841.
     Renewal   Date: July 17, 1989; RE-440-914.


    [as "Standard Openings 1961-62 (Pt. 3) from 'Wonderful World of Color'" --
         Prod. 5904-101 TV]:
     Copyright Date: Dec.  7, 1961; Eu 699 076.
     Renewal   Date: July 17, 1989; RE-440-922.


    [as "Standard Openings (1963-64) New material and new 
         instrumental arrangements (Wonderful World of Color)"]:
     Copyright Date: Oct.  7, 1963; Eu 793 397.
     Renewal   Date: Oct. 10, 1991; RE-547-924.

     Recording:


Main Theme 4 (Part B) (1963 - 1969??): "The Wonderful World Of Color Theme"

    [above is the title as listed in the ASCAP Index of Performed
     Compositions and ASCAP 2001 ACE database; Presumably
     this THEME combined original material with the melody of
     the Sherman Brothers above, or was an arrangement/orchestration
     of the song]

     Composer/Arranger: Paul J. Smith (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Main Theme 6 (1969 - 1979??): "The Wonderful World Of Disney S[ignature]"

    [above is the title as listed in the ASCAP Index of Performed
     Compositions and ASCAP 2001 ACE database; Presumably
     this THEME combined original material with quotes from
     various Disney songs including "When You Wish Upon A Star";
     see "Other Themes" below...

     Another possibility is that persons who filled out ASCAP cue sheets 
     may also be referring to the "Disneyland" and "Disneyland '59" 
     arrangements filed for copyright under those titles, listed above.]

     Composer: George E. Bruns (ASCAP/BMI)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Main Theme 7 (1969 - 1979??): "The Wonderful World Of Disney Theme (Op & Cl)"

    [Presumably this THEME combined original material with quotes from
     various Disney songs including "When You Wish Upon A Star"; see
    "Other Themes" below...

     Another possibility is that persons who filled out ASCAP cue sheets may 
     also be referring to the "Standard Openings from 'Wonderful World of Color'"
     filed for copyright under those titles, listed above.]

     Composer: Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Composition Date:
     
     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Main Theme 8 (1979 - 1981): "Disney's Wonderful World (Wishin' Star)"

    [above is the title referred to in the 3rd Billboard (1979) filed for
     copyright above, which incorporated this melody...

     ASCAP title:
     aka: "Disney's Wonderful World #2"]

     Composers: music by John Cardon Debney (ASCAP) and
                lyric by John M. Klawitter (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:


Main Theme 9 (1986 - 1988): "Disney Sunday Movie Logo (Opening Theme)"

    [above is title as it appears in the ASCAP ACE database;
     it is part of two filings for copyright below;
     aka: "The Disney Sunday Movie Logo";

     ASCAP title variations...
     aka: "Disney Sunday Movie T V Logo";
     aka: "Disney Sunday Movie (Op Cl);

     The copyright filings for this include reference to the copyright of
    "When You Wish Upon A Star" -- stating, "Prev. reg. 1938, EU 176054."]

     Composer/Arranger: John Cardon Debney (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

    [as "The Disney Sunday Movie Logo : T.V. Logo and Bumpers"]:
     Copyright Date: Jan. 29, 1986; PAu-803-927.

    [as "The Disney Sunday Movie, teasers : Teasers & New Logo --
        (new and additional music)"]:
     Copyright Date: Jan. 31, 1986; PAu-803-946.

     Recording:


Main Theme 10 (1988 - 1991): "Magical World (Sig)(Opening Theme)"

    [it's possible that this reference in the ASCAP ACE database,
     is actually the above "Disney Sunday Movie Logo" above, since
     no separate filing was found in copyright records]

     Composer: John Cardon Debney (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recording:

Other compositions quoted or interpolated into Main Theme medleys:
     Over the years, various arrangements of the series' Main Themes
     incorporated a number of other Disney theme tunes in the THEME medley,
     depending upon what was promoted or featured on the show. Some 
     of these tunes incorporated into the medley, as mentioned in 
     Craig Pattillo's "TV Theme Soundtrack Directory", included:

     "Whistle While You Work", from "Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs"
         by Frank E. Churchill & Larry Morey

     "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", a "Disneyland" mini-series
         by George E. Bruns and Tom Blackburn

     "Some Day My Prince Will Come", from "Snow White & 7 Dwarfs"
         by Frank E. Churchill & Larry Morey

     "Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah", from "Song Of The South"
         by Ray Gilbert & Allie Wrubel

     "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, the Magic Song", from "Cinderella"
         by Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston and Mack David

     "Chim-Chim Cheree", from "Mary Poppins"
         by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman

     "A Spoonful Of Sugar", from "Mary Poppins"
         by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman
     
     "Heigh-Ho (Heigh-Ho, It's Off To Work We Go)", from "Snow White & 
                                                          the 7 Dwarfs"
         by Frank E. Churchill and Larry Morey

     "Talkin' Blues (Signature)"
         by Norman ("Buddy") Baker and John V. Spiers

     "Meet Me Down On Main Street" (Disneyland and Walt Disney World Attraction)
         by Oliver G. Wallace and Thomas Montgomery Adair

     "It's A Small World" (Disneyland and Walt Disney World attraction)
         by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman

     "Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling", from "Beaver Valley" (True-life Adventure)
         by Paul J. Smith

     "Winnie, The Pooh (End Title)", from "Winnie, The Pooh and Tigger"
         by Norman ("Buddy") Baker

     "The Unbirthday Song", from "Cinderella"
         by Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston and Mack David

     "The Beautiful Briny [Sea]", from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"
         by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman

     "Super-cali-fragilistic-expi-alido-cious", from "Mary Poppins"
         by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman

     "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)", from "Pinnochio"
         by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington


Logo Signature: "Disney Logo"

     Composer: Norman ("Buddy") Baker (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2001 Publisher: Walt Disney Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Disney Music Publishing,
                        of Burbank, CA

     Copyright Date: Feb. 10, 1978; PAu-1-448.

     Recording:



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