(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]
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
[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:
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
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: