(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, the great Nelson Riddle]
[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]
[vocal title: "Somewhere In The Night";
Verified as the THEME in TV Guide article "Looking
For A Lost Chord?" April 28, 1962, pp. 12-13;]
Composer: music by Billy May (ASCAP/BMI)
[professional name of Edward William May Jr.], with
lyrics added by Milton W. ("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
[aka: "The New Naked City Theme";
aka: "Nelson Riddle's New Naked City Theme";
This theme was used only for the final season]
Composer: music by Nelson Smock Riddle (ASCAP/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
[filed as "Nelson Riddle's New Naked City Theme"]:
Copyright Date: 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