(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.]
[Verified as the THEME in the TV Guide article "What's The Name of That Theme Song?" Feb. 19, 1954 on p.21] [ASCAP Title: "Red Buttons"] Composer: Ray Bloch (ASCAP) [professional name of Raymond Arthur Bloch] 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:
[aka: "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ho Ho..."] [Verified as the THEME in the TV Guide article "What's The Name of That Theme Song?" Feb. 19, 1954 on p.21; 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:
[Verified as a THEME in the TV Guide article "What's The Name of That Theme Song?" Feb. 19, 1954 on p.21] 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:
[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.
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: