The Naked City (detectives)

    (ABC Primetime, 1958 - 1963)

    [based upon a 1948 film produced by Mark Hellinger that
     was scored by Frank Skinner and Miklos Rosza; The film was
     based upon a short story written by Malvin Wald -- who also
     collaborated with Albert Maltz on the screenplay (according
     to contributor Jenifer Wald Morgan, daughter of Malvin Wald.)
     
     The film introduced the idea that "There are eight million
     stories in the Naked City", referring to New York City, of
     course. And that line was used in voice-over on the TV series.
     
     The lead roles for this series changed over different seasons;
     James Franciscus began during the first season; and then for 
     subsequent seasons, other detectives were added, including
     veteran actors including Horace MacMahon and Paul Burke; In
     this way the series resembled the evolving ensemble casts of
     such latter-day series as "Law & Order."

     ("Naked City" was also the title of an unusual haunting 1953 
     big band ballad by Raymond Scott (pseudonym of Harry Warnow),
     featuring one of the first electronic instruments called the
     Ondes Martinot, which played the melody. On this recording
     the electronic instrument was in deep reverb, so it almost
     sounded like a cello or saxophone playing with the band,
     depending upon the register; This composition of course, had
     no connection with the television series of the same name,
     although it might have made a great underscore cue at times;)
     
     However, the first two theme songs for this series were so 
     distinctive -- they are among the best jazz themes written
     for TV -- including the original one by George Duning
     and the second one written by Billy May, which have very 
     interesting melodies and harmonies, and have been recorded 
     numerous times; the final season theme is also a pretty
     interesting tune, but hasn't been recorded as much, just
     by its composer, Nelson Riddle;]

---

Theme 1 (1958 - 1960): "This Is The Naked City"

    [aka: "Naked City"]

     Composer: music by George W. Duning (ASCAP), with
               lyrics by Ned Washington (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher:  Colgems-EMI Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
     
     2000 Publishers: Colgems-EMI Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
                         of New York, NY;
                      Largo Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
                         of New York, NY; and
                      Patti Washington Music (ASCAP),
                         of Los Angeles, CA

     Copyright Date: Jan. 26, 1959; EU 559 614.
     Renewal   Date: Apr.  6, 1987; RE- 81-886.

     Recordings: 
         LP: "Impact" (1959)
              RCA-Victor LPM/LSP-2042
              Buddy Morrow and his orchestra
               [arranged by Ray Martin]

         CD Re-issue: "Impact" (1998)
              RCA/BMG (Spain) 74321 609942
              Buddy Morrow and his orchestra
               [arranged by Ray Martin]
     
     

---

Theme 2 (1960 - 1962): "Naked City Theme"

    [vocal title: "Somewhere In The Night"]

     Composer: music by Billy May (ASCAP/BMI), with
               lyrics added by Milt Raskin (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI)
     
     2000 Publisher: Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc. (BMI),
                        c/o EMI Music Publishing,
                        of New York, NY

     Copyright Date (as "Naked City" instrumental): 
                     Feb. 23, 1961; EU 659 457.
     
     Copyright Date (as vocal "Somewhere In the Night"):
                     Dec. 31, 1962; EP 172 481.
     Renewal   Date: Dec.  5, 1990; RE-511-386.

     Recordings:
         LP "Route 66 Theme and Other Great TV Themes" (1962)
             Capitol T-1771 / ST-1771
             Nelson Riddle and his orchestra
             
         CD Re-issue: "Route 66 and Other Great TV Themes / 
                       More Hit TV Themes" (2002)
            EMI Gold B00005YU9F (British Import)
            Nelson Riddle and his orchestra             
           

---

Theme 3 (1962 - 1963): "Naked City Theme"

    [aka: "The New Naked City Theme";
     This theme was used only for the final season]

     Composer: music by Nelson Smock Riddle (BMI)

     1978 Publisher: Gower Music, Inc. (BMI)
     
     2006 Publisher: Gower Music, Inc. (BMI),
                        div. of Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc.
                        c/o EMI Music Publishing,
                        of New York, NY

     Copyright Date (as "New Naked City Theme"):
                     Oct. 15, 1962; EP-169-129.
     Renewal   Date: Jan.  5, 1990; RE-466-594.

     Recordings:
         LP "More Hit TV Themes" (1963)
             Capitol T-1869 / ST-1869
             Nelson Riddle and his orchestra
             
         CD Re-issue: "Route 66 and Other Great TV Themes / 
                       More Hit TV Themes" (2002)
            EMI Gold B00005YU9F (British Import)
            Nelson Riddle and his orchestra 

Return to the 1950s TV Series Title Page