The Red Buttons Show (comedy variety)

    (Version 1: CBS Primetime, 1952 - 1954)

    (Version 2: NBC Primetime, 1954 - 1955;
          aka: "The New Red Buttons Show")

    [Red Buttons was hailed as one of the brighest new comedians
     when his show debuted on CBS; but self-doubts and format
     tinkering did it in the second season; one of the oddest
     switches came when the show changed networks and adopted
     a sitcom format with Buttons playing a television comedian,
     Phyllis Kirk played his wife, and Paul Lynde a TV network
     vice president; that re-incarnation also fizzled within a
     year; Buttons went on to act in dramatic roles to much
     critical acclaim, but never again headlined his own series.]

---

Theme 1 (on CBS): "The Red Buttons Theme Song"

    [Theme and composer credit of the above title, in TV Guide Article 
     dated Feb. 19, 1954]

    [ASCAP Title: "Red Buttons"]

     Composer: Raymond A. Bloch (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Hollybrook Music Co. (ASCAP)

     2000 Publisher: Hollybrook Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP),
                        c/o Wooden Bear Music.
                        of Scottsdale, AZ
                     
     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:

---

Theme 2 (on CBS): "The Ho Ho Song"

    [aka: "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ho Ho..."]

    [Theme and composer credit in TV Guide Article Feb. 19, 1954]
    [Use as Open Theme verified in "Total TV" by Alex McNeil]

     Composers: Jack Wolf (ASCAP),
                Joseph Darien (ASCAP), and
                Red Buttons (ASCAP)
                   [professional name of Aaron Schwatt]

     1978 Publishers: Integrity Music Co. (ASCAP),
                      Kamakura Music (ASCAP), and
                      Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)

     2000 Publishers: Integrity Music Co. (ASCAP),
                         of New York, NY;
                      Kamakura Music (ASCAP)
                         of Lyme, NH; and
                      Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)
                         of Santa Monica, CA
                     
     Copyright Date: March 13, 1953; EP 307 535.
     Renewal   Date: April  2, 1981; RE- 87-828.

     Recordings:

---

Skit Theme: "Strange Things Are Happening"

    [Theme title and composer credit in TV Guide Article Feb. 19, 1954]

     Composers: Elliot Lawrence (ASCAP) 
                  [pseudonym of Elliot Lawrence Broza],
                Allan Walker (ASCAP), and
                Red Buttons (ASCAP)
                  [professional name of Aaron Schwatt]
                   
     Orig. Publisher: Helayne Music Publishing Co.
                         of New York, NY

     1978 Publisher: Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)
     
     2000 Publisher: Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)
                         of Santa Monica, CA
                     
     Copyright Date: April 17, 1953; EP 70 870.
     Renewal   Date: April  2, 1981; RE-87-827.

     Recordings:

---

Skit Theme 2: "It's a Sad, Sad Day (Opening from The Red Buttons' Show)"

    [above is title as filed for copyright]

     Composers: Lester Lee (ASCAP), and
                Allan Roberts (ASCAP)

     1978 Publishers: 

     2000 Publishers: Allan Roberts Music Co. (ASCAP),
                         c/o Music Sales Corp.
                         of New York, NY; and
                      Washington & Lee Publications (ASCAP),
                         of Beverly Hills, CA


     Copyright Date: Feb. 21, 1955; Eu 387 166.
     Renewal   Date: Jan.  7, 1983; RE-166-146.

---

Theme 3 (1954 - 55, on NBC): "The Buttons' Bounce"

     Composers: Elliot Lawrence (ASCAP)
                  [pseudonym of Elliot Lawrence Broza],
                Jack Wolf (ASCAP),
                Allan Walker (ASCAP), and
                Red Buttons (ASCAP)
                  [professional name of Aaron Schwatt]

     1978 Publishers: Integrity Music Corp. (ASCAP), and
                      Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)

     2000 Publishers: Integrity Music Co. (ASCAP),
                         of New York, NY; and
                      Red Buttons Music (ASCAP)
                         of Santa Monica, CA
                     
     Copyright Date: June 14, 1954; Ep  82 021.
     Renewal   Date: Dec.  6, 1982; RE-145-981.

     Recordings:

Return to the 1950s TV Series Title Page