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The $64,000 Question / $64,000 Challenge (quiz, hosted by Hal
March)
(CBS Primetime, 1955 - 1958, as "The $64,000 Question";
...and spin-offs:
CBS Primetime, 1956 - 1958, as "The $64,000 Challenge";
Syndicated, 1976 - 1978, as "The $128,000 Question")
[Produced by Steve Carlin for Revlon; a spin-off series was called
"The $64,000 Challenge" where winners from the "$64,000 Question"
could compete for even higher prize money;
During the height of their popularity, these shows were
caught up and tainted by the 1950's Quiz Show Scandals which
began with the revelation about how contestants on "21" had
been given answers in advance by producers who wanted to
manipulate the national drama of winners and losers in order
to generate high ratings;
Both the "$64,000 Question" and "$64,000 Challenge" used the
same THEME music and cues, which also was used in newer
arrangements for the "$128,000 Question";
This syndicated 1976 version called "The $128,000 Question"
was produced 20 years later; the first season it was hosted by
Mike Darrow, and then Alex Trebek took over for the second
syndicated season (in 1977);
All of the above series including the syndicated revival 20
years later were sponsored by Revlon cosmetics.]
Billboard Opening: "Revlon Sparkle Opening"
[this was used behind the opening sponsor billboard sequence]
Composers: music by Norman F. Leyden (BMI)
Original Publisher: Tree Publishing Co. (BMI)
of New York, NY
2005 Publishers: Alley Music Corp. (BMI)
c/o Carlin America, Inc.
of New York, NY; and
Tree Publishing Co., Inc. (BMI)
of New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Theme: "The $64,000 Question Theme Music"
[above is the title as filed for copyright; BMI Alternate titles
aka: "The Sixty-Four Thousand Dollar Question";
aka: "The $128,000 Question";
aka: "The One-Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand Dollar Question"]
vocal title: "Love is the $64,000 Question", with lyrics
by Fred Ebb who was later to write musical comedies as part
of the composing team of Kander & Ebb;
According to contributer Lee Withers, the music director for
"The $128,000 Question" was Charles Randolph Grean, who did
not receive screen credit for re-arranging the Leyden themes
or conducting the Syndicated 1976 version of the show that
was produced in New York featuring host Mike Darrow; Grean
did record this version of the Main Theme on a 45-rpm single;
Music credit onscreen for "The $128,000 Question" was finally
given to Guido Basso, a Canadian musician who re-arranged and
re-recorded the Leyden Themes yet again -- in 1977 -- when the
show moved to production in Canada with host Alex Trebek.]
Composers: music by Norman F. Leyden (BMI), with
lyric added by Fred Ebb (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Tree Publishing Co. (BMI)
of New York, NY
2001 Publisher: Tree Publishing Company (BMI)
of New York, NY
[copyright information courtesy contributor T. Perrone]:
Instrumental Copyright Date: Feb. 8, 1956; Ep 96 972.
Instrumental Renewal Date:
Recordings:
45rpm single: "Love is the $64,000 Question"
Hal March, vocalist
Columbia 4-40684 (1956)
Additional Cues related to the THEME had separate
copyrights:
All Cues written by composer: Norman F. Leyden (BMI)
Original Publisher: Tree Publishing Co. (BMI)
of New York, NY
Title: "The $64,000 Question Entrance and Exit Music"
Copyright Date: Feb 8, 1956; Ep 96713
Title: "The $64,000 Question March Theme"
Copyright Date: Feb 8, 1956; Ep 96714
Title: "The $64,000 Question Machine Music"
Copyright Date: Feb 8, 1956; Ep 96710
Title: "The $64,000 Question Suspense Music"
Copyright Date: Feb 8, 1956; Ep 96712
Title: "The $64,000 Question Music Fanfares --
$64, $128, $256, $512, $1000, $2000, $4000"
Copyright Date: Feb 8, 1956; Ep 96711
[copyright information courtesy contributor T. Perrone]
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