General Electric Theater (dramatic anthology)
[originally: "General Electric Theatre of the Air";
Syndicated title "Star Showcase"]
(CBS Primetime, 1953 - 1962)
[Originated on CBS Radio on July 9, 1953 as a summer replacement
series for the Bing Crosby Show with a radio theme by Wilbur Hatch;
Produced on Film/Tape by Revue Productions beginning in 1954, with
Ronald Reagan as host also starting in 1954]
Theme 1 (1953 - 54): Arch of Light / Dome of Light,
from the "Structural Music" library, Vol. 16 #459 & #460
[confirmed in the composer's cue sheets and licensing agreements;
this piece was constructed to be used as an Opening ("Arch") and
Closing ("Dome"); This same THEME was ALSO used for a time as the
End Credits theme on the syndicated version of "Waterfront".]
Composer: Alexander Laszlo (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Guild Publications of California (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Alexander Publications (ASCAP)
o/b/o The Regents of the University of California
[as "Structural Music" Vol. 16]:
Copyright Date: July 10, 1952; Ep 63 675.
[as "Arch of Light"]:
Renewal Date: Dec. 1, 1980; RE-78-018.
[as "Dome of Light"]:
Renewal Date: Dec. 1, 1980; RE-78-023.
Recordings:
Theme 2 (circa 1954): "General Electric Theater
Theme"
Composer: Lyn Murray (ASCAP)
[pseudonym of Lionel Breeze]
1978 Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: EMI/Robbins Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP)
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Open Theme 3: "General Electric Theater
Open"
[confirmed by publisher as THEME for "G E Theater"]
Composer: Morris Mamorsky (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Broude Brothers Limited (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Broude Brothers Limited (ASCAP)
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Close Theme 3: "March Of Progress"
Composer: Morris Mamorsky (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Broude Brothers Limited (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Broude Brothers Limited (ASCAP)
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Open Theme 4: "G E Theme 1"
[This short opening signature may have been used behind
the General Electric Logo introducing some programs]
Composer: Jack Shaindlin (BMI)
1978 Publisher:
1999 Publisher: EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI)
Cinemusic Division,
c/o EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
of New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Theme 5: "General Electric Theater"
[possible aka: "Symbol M T";
mentioned in Patillo, who erroneously credits it as the
THEME for all of the first 7 seasons. Composition confirmed
in correspondence with Thompson Family in June, 1999.]
Composer: Bob Thompson (ASCAP)
[professional name of Robert Lamar Thompson]
1978 Publisher: Morley Music Co. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Morley Music Co. (ASCAP)
c/o MPL Communications, Inc.
of New York, NY
Copyright Date: [not found by search via the LOC]
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Open Theme 6: "G E Theatre Emblem"
[Above is title on manuscript filed for copyright;
aka: "Emblem" on Soundtrack LP;
aka: "G E Theater Opening";
used on the air circa 1958 - 1960, according to Gelfand]
Composer: Elmer Bernstein (ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: Bernal Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Bernal Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
c/o Freedman, Broder & Angen,
of Santa Monica, CA
Copyright Date: Jul 20, 1959; Eu 585 981.
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
LP: "Themes from the General Electric Theater" (1959)
Columbia CL-1395/CS-8190
Soundtrack recording, conducted by E. Bernstein
Close Theme 7: "Progress"
[Above is title as filed for copyright;
aka: "G E Theater Finale";
used circa 1958 - 1960, according to Gelfand]
Composer: Elmer Bernstein (ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: Alaska Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: MCA/Northern Music Company (ASCAP)
Copyright Date: Aug. 12, 1959; Eu 590 464.
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
LP: "Themes from the General Electric Theater" (1959)
Columbia CL-1395/CS-8190
Soundtrack recording, conducted by E. Bernstein
Theme 8: "G E Theater Logo"
[aka: "G E Theater Theme" (the Logo is the introductory
fanfare behind the graphic logo of the sponsor or studio.)
Used circa 1961, according to Gelfand; It was "New Theme"
according to collector Ray Clark]
Composer: Stanley J. Wilson (ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: Hawaii Music Co, Inc. (BMI)
1999 Publisher: Duchess-Hawaii Music (BMI)
Copyright Date: Aug 16, 1961; Eu 683 441.
Renewal Date: Dec 28, 1989; RE 460 580.
Recordings:
LP: "Theme from Ben Casey" (1962)
Carlton 143
Valjean, pianist with orchestra
LP: "TV's Top Themes" (1962)
Mercury MG-20706/SR-60706
Pete Rugolo and his orchestra
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