Local San Diego Classic TV Themes (local shows)
(from the 1950's - 1970's)
[NOTE: At present we don't have time to research and list local
Classic TV THEMEs for everyone's home town; We still have many more
National Classic THEMEs to add to the Web Site from our research.
So we beg your forgiveness for this exception -- to list our own
home-town Classic Themes.
Since most local shows of this vintage fall into the category of
either local News, Public Affairs, Afternoon Movies, Kids or talk
shows, those are the shows for which THEMEs are remembered here;
Below is our unforgivable indulgence and sole exception to the
organization of this Web Site which ordinarily lists only Network
and Nationally-Syndicated THEMEs; Below are those THEMEs fondly
remembered growing up circa 1950s - 1970s in our local community
in San Diego, California.]
KFMB-TV Channel 8 (CBS)
[Some Ch. 8 THEME information courtesy Audio Engineer Larry Scholz]
Ch. 8 Morning Sign-On Theme: "Sunrise, from 'The Grand Canyon Suite'"
[KFMB used an LP recording by the Boston Pops orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fielder. The original name of "The Grand Canyon
Suite" as filed for copyright was "Five Pictures of the Grand Canyon."
Although some people thought Ferde Grofé (sometimes spelled
"Ferdie" Grofé) was of Latin descent, he was actually of
French Huguenot extraction. His last name from birth was really
"von Grofé"]
Composer: Ferde Grofé (ASCAP)
[professional name of Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé]
Original Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP),
of New York, NY
1978 Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: EMI Robbins Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP),
div. of EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
of New York, NY
["Sunrise" filed as an individual work:]
Copyright Date: Dec. 30, 1931; EU 49 481.
Renewal Date: Dec. 30, 1958; R 227 997.
Recordings: LPs by the Boston Pops Orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fiedler
RCA-Victor LM 1928 (mono),
RCA-Victor LSC-2789 (stereo), and
RCA Victrola VICS-1423 (re-issue)
Ch. 8 "SunUp San Diego" First Theme: "Pacific Sunset"
[M-F daily morning show with host Bob Mills.]
Composer: Ray Conniff (BMI)
Original Publisher: Ray Conniff
dba/Governor Music (BMI)
1978 Publisher:
2018 Publisher: Governor Music (BMI)
c/o Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing,
New York City, NY
Copyright Date: Jan. 29, 1959; EU 560 293.
Renewal Date: Dec. 31, 1987; RE 449 037.
Recording: 1958 LP "Hollywood in Rhythm" by
Ray Conniff and his Orchestra
Ch. 8 "SunUp San Diego" Second Theme:
"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" from the 1943 musical "Oklahoma!"
[M-F daily morning show with host Bob Mills.
The arrangement used had a medium-slow-tempo swing feel,
in the arrangement style of Ray Conniff and His Orchestra.
The original registration lists the song as being "from 'Away We Go!'"
which was the working title of the show that became "Oklahoma!"
following it's out-of-town tryouts.]
Composer: music by Richard Rodgers (ASCAP),
words by Oscar Hammerstein II (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: Marlo Music Co. (ASCAP)
New York, NY
1978 Publisher: Williamson Music Co. (ASCAP)
New York, NY
2018 Publisher: Williamson Music Co. (ASCAP)
c/o Warner-Chappell Music Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date: March 12, 1943; E Pub. 112 382.
Renewal Date: March 12, 1970; R 480 559.
Recording: 1958 LP "Broadway in Rhythm" by
Ray Conniff and his Orchestra
Ch. 8 "Bob Dale's Early Show" Open Theme, Pt. A:
"Fanfare No. 332, from the Capitol 'Q' Library"
[weekday afternoon movies hosted by Bob Dale;
This opening fanfare segued into "New Horizons" below.
No composer was listed on the transcription disc.]
Composer: under investigation
1978 Publisher:
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc
in the Capitol "Q" Library
Ch. 8 "Bob Dale's Early Show" Open Theme, Pt. B:
"New Horizons, from Major Records Production Music"
[weekday afternoon movies hosted by Bob Dale;
The opening fanfare above segued into the beginning of this THEME.]
Composer: Roger Roger (French SACEM/ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: LP 51-A: Cut 1, from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 "Bob Dale's Early Show" Close Theme:
"Tag No. 875 (Production), from the Capitol 'Q' Library"
[no composer was listed on the transcription disc]
Composer: under investigation
1978 Publisher:
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc
in the Capitol "Q" Library
Ch. 8 "Million Dollar Movie" (weekends) Theme #1: "Naked City"
[This haunting 1953 composition is not to be confused with TV themes
for the series "Naked City", that were composed by Nelson Riddle & Billy May.
One part of this slow big band ballad was recorded in heavy reverb
on an erie sounding electronic instrument called the "Ondes Martinot",
a French predecessor of the Theremin. In the 1950s we were under the
mistaken impression that this was a cello played in the extreme
high register through an echo device, which the sound resembles;
But we were puzzled why it sounded more like a tenor saxophone in
the low register. So the use of the electronic instrument explained
how the eerie sound originated.]
Composer: Raymond Scott (ASCAP)
[pseudonym of Harry Warnow]
Orig. Publisher: Gateway Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Gateway Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Music Sales Corp. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
Copyright Date: Feb. 20, 1953; EU 304 728.
Renewal Date: Jan. 5, 1981; R 81 886.
Recordings: 78-rpm single on the Audivox label
Audivox 103 (E3CB 3545)
by Raymond Scott & His Orchestra;
Ch. 8 "Million Dollar Movie" (weekends) Theme #2:
"Metropolitan Rhapsody, from Major Records Production Music"
[French composer Roger Roger wrote for several Mood Music libraries, and
seems to have "borrowed from himself" in adapting an earlier work with a
slightly different arrangement, but a nearly identical melody.
We are not sure which came first -- but "Metropolitan Rhapsody" resembles his work
"Gershwinesque No. 2" written for the Parry Records Production music library.]
Composer: Roger Roger (French SACEM/ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: 78-rpm 5220-B
from Major Mood Music (production library);
LP 52-B
from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 Other Movie Show Theme:
"Grand Vista, from 'Title Music'"
[ASCAP 1978 title: "Grand Vistas"]
Composer: Trevor Duncan (British PRS/ASCAP/BMI)
[pseudonym of Leonard Trebilco]
1978 Publisher: Hawkes & Son, Ltd.
of London, England
2014 Publisher: Cavendish-Music-Co-Ltd.
c/o Cavendish Collection,
div. of "5 Alarm Music"
of Pasadena, CA
U.S. Copyright Date:
Recordings: 78rpm - Boosey & Hawkes OT 2222,
from the Boosey & Hawkes music library
Ch. 8 "Channel 8 Newsroom" (weekday News Theme):
"Conquering Hero, from Major Records Production Music"
Composer: George S. Chase (BMI)
[pseudonym of Michael Reynolds]
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 "This Day 1956 - 1961" (weekend News Theme #1):
"Theme No. 524 (Dramatic), from the Capitol 'Q' Library"
[no composer listed on the transcription disc]
Composer: under investigation
1978 Publisher:
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc
in the Capitol "Q" Library
Ch. 8 "This Day 1956 - 1961" (weekend News Theme #2 Open):
"Ave Caesar from 'Quo Vadis'"
[above is the original title as first registered for copyright;
aka: "Triumphal March" from "Quo Vadis?";
aka: "Hail Nero, from "Quo Vadis?";
aka: "Hail Caesar" from "Quo Vadis?"
This stirring Roman march composed for the 1951 film "Quo Vadis" was the background
for one of the most dramatic local TV news openings ever created -- and it was
performed "live" every weekend night in early days prior to videotape. This author
was on the set waiting to be interviewed by Harold Keen in 1956 about a local
performance of an early musical composition when he witnessed the following scene:
To the strains of the Roman march, one camera began with a wide shot of the
TV studio including the overhead lighting grid, and started a slow dolly
forward toward the news set. Two other cameras were visible in the shot of the
first camera; they crossed in front as the news team of sports reporter,
weather girl, news anchor and other reporters walked in from the side.
As the main camera approached the podium, the anchor man Ray Wilson took
his place behind the podium. As the camera stopped, the music faded and the
anchorman began to read the news. The other members of the news team
continued walking off camera back to the newsroom after taking part
in this choreographed opening.]
Composer: Miklós Rózsa (ASCAP/BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Loew's Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Miklós Rózsa Revocable Trust
[registered under the title "Hail Nero - Triumphal March, from 'Quo Vadis'"]:
Unpublished Copyright: Oct. 22, 1951; EU 255 687.
[registered under the title: "Ave Caesar from 'Quo Vadis'"]:
Unpublished Copyright: Oct. 22, 1951; EU 255 713.
Unpublished Renewal: June 12, 1979; R 25 424.
[registered under the title: "Musical Highlights, from the score of 'Quo Vadis'"]:
Published Copyright: Dec. 6, 1951; EP 60 105.
[Published Band Arrangement by Erik Leidzen,
registered under the title: "Triumphal March (from the picture Quo Vadis)"]:
Published Copyright: Jan. 22, 1954; EP 78 466.
Recording: 78rpm single
from the 1951 film soundtrack
with the MGM Studio Orchestra
conducted by Miklós Rózsa (1951)
___;
Track 6 on "Quo Vadis" CD
by the Royal Philharmonic Orch.
conducted by Miklós Rózsa
London Records CD 820 200-2
[a 1978 recording released
on CD in 1985]
Ch. 8 "This Day 1956 - 1961" (weekend News Theme #3 Close):
"Tag No. 851 (Dramatic), from the Capitol 'Q' Library"
[no composer listed on disc]
Composer: under investigation
1978 Publisher:
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc
in the Capitol "Q" Library
Ch. 8 "People In The News" (segment) with Harold Keen (Theme #1):
"On Parade (march)"
Composer: Edwin Franko Goldman (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Carl Fischer, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Carl Fischer, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Carl Fischer, LLC, (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
Copyright Date: Feb. 5, 1934; EP 40 589.
Renewal Date: May 16, 1961; R 275 909.
Recording:78rpm single recording
by The Goldman Band
Brunswick 7556
Ch. 8 "People In The News" (segment) with Harold Keen (Theme #2):
"Bombasto (march)"
[this 1895 march was a familiar one used on old-time radio
and played live in circuses and parades]
Composer: Orin R. ("O.R.") Farrar (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Carl Fischer, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
2014 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
Copyright Date: Registered in 1895, Composer "O.R. Farrar",
Proprietor "C. Fischer, New York"; no number
Renewal Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc, from
the Capitol Transcription Library,
forerunner of the 78rpm Capitol "Q" library;
performed by Louis Castellucci
conducting "The Capitol Band"
Ch. 8 "The Weatherword" (news segment):
"Mercury (the Winged Messenger), from the LP Suite 'Bacchanal!'"
Composer/Orchestrator: Albert Harris (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Bulls Eye Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Bulls Eye Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Bulls Eye Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
of Hollywood, CA
Copyright Date: April 14, 1959; EU 571 937.
Renewal Date: Jan. 5, 1987; RE 320 642.
Recordings: on "Bacchanal!" -- a Columbia LP album
composed and orchestrated by Albert Harris
recorded by Frank De Vol and His Orchestra,
Columbia Records CS 8054 (1959);
Re-released on "Portraits / Bacchanal!" -- a 2-for-1 CD
Collectables COL-CD-6647 (2000)
Ch. 8 "TV-8 Reports" (documentary, Pt. A):
"Timpani and Cymbal, from Major Records Production Music"
Composer: Rico Calle (ASCAP)
[pseudonym of Ralph Carmichael]
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 "TV-8 Reports" (documentary, Pt. B):
"Tide of Empire, from Major Records Production Music"
Composer: George S. Chase (BMI)
[pseudonym of Michael Reynolds]
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 (Sign-Off Theme Pt. A):
"Sunset, from 'The Grand Canyon Suite'"
[KFMB used an LP recording by the Boston Pops orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fielder. The original name of "The Grand Canyon
Suite" as filed for copyright was "Five Pictures of the Grand Canyon."
Although some people thought Ferde Grofé (sometimes spelled
"Ferdie" Grofé) was of Latin descent, he was actually of
French Huguenot extraction. His last name from birth was really
"von Grofé"]
Composer: Ferde Grofé (ASCAP)
[professional name of Ferdinand Rudolph von Grofé]
Original Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP),
of New York, NY
1978 Publisher: Robbins Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: EMI Robbins Catalog, Inc. (ASCAP),
div. of EMI Music Publishing, Inc.
of New York, NY
["Sunset" filed as an individual work:]
Copyright Date: Dec. 30, 1931; EU 49 484.
Renewal Date: Dec. 30, 1958; R 227 994.
Recordings: LPs by the Boston Pops Orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fiedler
RCA-Victor LM 1928 (mono),
RCA-Victor LSC-2789 (stereo), and
RCA Victrola VICS-1423 (re-issue)
Ch. 8 (Sign-Off Theme Pt. B):
"Fanfare Curtain, from Major Records Production Music"
Composer: George S. Chase (BMI)
[pseudonym of Michael Reynolds]
1978 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
2014 Publisher: R F T Music Publishing Corp. (BMI)
c/o Bug Music
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Recordings: from Major Records Production Music
[later R F T Music Publishing, Inc.,
a division of Thomas J. Valentino]
Ch. 8 News Open/Close (1983 - 1994):
"TV-8 News Theme"
[original music written & produced for
Peters Productions, Inc., San Diego, CA by
composer/arranger Dave Shields in 1983.]
Composer: David G. ("Dave") Shields (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: [none found]
Copyright Date: [none found]
Recordings:
KFSD/KOGO/KGTV Channel 10 (NBC/ABC)
Ch. 10 Morning Sign-On Theme:
"Prelude, from the film 'The Ten Commandments'"
[alternate theme title: "Love and Ambition";
Title filed for copyright: "Ten Commandments - Overture";
This 1956 soundtrack was one of Elmer Bernstein's most beloved, and
its Prelude served as an overture to the film while patrons were
seated in the movie theatre. It contained many of the melodies
Bernstein used throughout the film. It was orchestrated as per
Bernstein's sketch-scores by Leo Shuken and Lucien Cailliet.
The first part of the Prelude/Overture was used for the KFSD/KOGO
Channel 10 "Sign-On" each day.]
Composer: Elmer Bernstein (ASCAP/BMI)
Original Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Sony ATV Harmony (ASCAP),
of Nashville, TN
[cross-referenced as "Ten Commandments - Overture" on
the Renewal filing; also registered as "The Ten Commandments"]:
Copyright Date: Jan. 8, 1957; EU 461 414.
Renewal Date: Jan. 7, 1985; RE 234 682.
Recordings: Mono Soundtrack LP with the
studio orchestra conducted by Elmer Bernstein;
United Artists UAL-3495 (1956);
Stereo LP re-recorded with Bernstein conducting
Dot DLP-25054-D (1960);
Stereo re-issue 2-disk LP with Bernstein conducting
Paramount Pictures PAS 1006 (1972);
Stereo re-issue CD on MCA Records
MCAD-42320 (1989)
Ch. 10 "The Lynn Taylor Show" (women's show):
"Star Fire, from the LP 'The Sound of Speed'"
[Title as filed for copyright: "Starfire";
ASCAP title variation: "Starfire"
The album tracks all begin with some kind of sound effect of a vehicle. In
the case of "Star Fire" it was a jet engine, which the audio engineers
at Channel 10 bypassed as they faded up on the musical introduction...]
Composer: Bob Thompson (ASCAP)
[professional name of Robert Lamar Thompson]
Original Publisher: Treble Music Publishers, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Lissauer Robert Company (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Spunky Monkey Music (ASCAP)
c/o Irwin Chusid
of Hoboken, NJ
Copyright Date: July 10, 1959; EU 584 656.
Recordings: Dot LP "The Sound of Speed"
arranged by Robert Lamar "Bob" Thompson; recorded by
"The Orchestra dei Concerti di Roma"
conducted by Paul Baron
Dot Records DLP 25123 (1960);
CD re-issue on Dionysus Records
Dionysus BA 1190 (2003)
Ch. 10 "Weekend Movie" theme:
"Fiddlin' For Fun (Les Violons s'Amusent)"
[Orig. French title: "Les Violons s'Amusent";
ASCAP title variation: "Fiddling For Fun";
Faustin Paul Jeanjean (1900 - 1979), and his brother
Maurice Auguste Jeanjean (1897 - 1968) wrote this
delightful novelty piece for orchestra featuring the
string section. It was published by Éditions Salabert in
France where a recording was made for Odeon under the name of
"Jean Faustin and his Orchestra." In 1950 the orchestral
arrangement was also for sale by Leeds Music in New York.
Faustin Jeanjean had been a young trumpet player with bandleader
Lud Gluskin during the ten years Gluskin led a jazz band in
upper-class French and German night clubs from the mid-1920's
through the mid-1930's;
Gluskin returned to the U.S., and many years later in the
early 1950s became music director of the CBS TV network; When
Gluskin tired of Musician's Union obstacles, Faustin JeanJean
was one of several musicians in Europe whom Gluskin contracted
to supply cue music for the "CBS Recorded Music Library" he
used in "tracking" (scoring episodes of) CBS radio/TV shows
like "Gunsmoke";
In particular, Faustin JeanJean's cues were used for CBS shows
"You Are There" and the "CBS Radio Mystery Theatre"; in addition
some of Faustin's compositions found their way onto CBS comedy
shows for Carol Burnett and Red Skelton, where his work came
to the attention of Skelton's music director David Rose.
Rose featured this ebullient composition as the title track
on his delightful 1954 LP album, "Fiddlin' For Fun"]
Composers: Faustin Paul Irenee Jeanjean (French SACEM/ASCAP),
Maurice Auguste Jeanjean (French SACEM/ASCAP), with
orchestral arrangement by Charles Constant (French SACEM/ASCAP)
[pseudonym of Constantin Micsunesco]
Orig. Publisher: Éditions Salabert (SACEM)
of Paris, France; and
Leeds Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
1978 Publishers: Éditions Salabert Inc.; and
MCA Inc.
2014 Publishers: Éditions Salabert (SACEM)
of Paris, France;
BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP)
c/o BMG Rights Management US, LLC
of New York, NY; and
Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)
c/o Universal Music Publishing Group
of Santa Monica, CA
[The original orchestral arrangement filed for U.S. copyright
under the title "Les violons s'amusent"]:
U.S. Copyright Date: Nov. 6, 1950; EFO 5 461.
[An arrangement for Violin & Piano by Florian Zabach with the
title "Fiddlin' For Fun" was filed in the U.S. in 1952]:
U.S. Copyright Date: June 3, 1952; EP 63 085.
U.S. Renewal Date: March 24, 1980; RE 54 944.
Recordings: LP album titled "Fiddlin' For Fun""
by David Rose & His Orchestra
MGM E-3108 (1954);
2-EP 45rpm album titled "Fiddlin' For Fun"
by David Rose & His Orchestra
MGM X237 (1954);
on the CD "King of Strings"
by David Rose & His Orchestra
Jasmine JASCD 597 (2011)
Ch. 10 "The Johnny Downs Show" (children) theme:
"Little Bells and Big Bells (Glocke und Gloeckchen)"
[original German title: "Glocke und Glöckchen";
ASCAP title: "Bells and Little Bells"
Johnny Downs had been a child actor appearing for 3 years in the
Our Gang (Little Rascals) short subjects. He made appearances in
over 100 films dancing and sometimes singing, but was never to
become a "star".
This "after school" children's show he hosted on Channel 10 was
locally popular from the mid 1950's to early 1960's. He introduced
segments of "Little Rascals" and "Popeye" cartoons among others.]
Composer: Helmut Zacharias (German GEMA/ASCAP/BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Cordial-Musikverlag Rolf Budde (GEMA)
1978 Publishers: Cordial-Musikverlag Rolf Budde (GEMA), and
MCA Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publishers: Rolf Budde Musikverlag, GmbH (GEMA)
of Berlin, Germany;
Universal Music Corporation (ASCAP)
c/o Universal Music Publishing Group
of Santa Monica, CA
[piano "Foxtrot" arrangement by Siegfried Ulbrich filed for copyright]:
U.S. Copyright Date: Oct. 5, 1955; EFO-39 459.
U.S. Renewal Date: Nov. 7, 1983; RE 189 981.
Recordings: from the Columbia mono LP "Passport To Romance"
by Percy Faith and His Orchestra
Columbia CL 880 (1956);
re-issued on CD "Passport To Romance / Mucho Gusto"
by Percy Faith and His Orchestra
Collectables COL-CD-6057 (1999)
Ch. 10 "Assignment San Diego" (back-country travelog) theme:
"Open Road, Open Sky, from 'The Gypsy Baron'"
["Open Road, Open Sky" was a song in an English-language production
of "The Gypsy Baron" with English words and adaptation by Ann Ronell.
Lyricist Ann Ronell had also adapted Strauss' songs for the
1936 film "Champagne Waltz". The melody of "Open Road, Open Skies"
was from the "Sweetheart Waltz" from Strauss's 1885 operetta
"Der Ziegeunerbaron", known in English as "The Gypsy Baron".
The singer who was most associated with this song was baritone
John Charles Thomas who recorded it for the Victor Red Seal label,
and whose recording was used to open the San Diego TV show.
Robert E. ("Bob") Lee was the host and producer of the show. He
was a San Diego entrepreneur who had several business interests
including Advertising and Real Estate. Bob took his family on
frequent road trips and filmed them with a 16mm film camera. Then
he came to the Channel 10 studios and narrated the films live on
Sunday afternoons.
His films were in color, and in the early days of color TV, they
provided a "local color" show with a folksy family flavor.]
Composers: music by Johann Strauss II (predates ASCAP & BMI), with
English lyric by Ann Ronell (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publishers: G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publishers: Ann Ronell Music (ASCAP)
c/o The Songwriters Guild of America
of Brentwood, TN; and
G. Schirmer, Inc. (ASCAP)
c/o Music Sales Corporation
of Chester, NY
Copyright Date: Sept. 13, 1940; EP 88 539.
Renewal Date: Sept. 13, 1967; R 417 565.
Recordings: 12" 78rpm "Open Road" from "The Gypsy Baron"
by baritone John Charles Thomas
with the Victor Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Frank Tours
Victor Red Seal 16184-A
Ch. 10 "The News" with Sam Rinaker (Open and Close Theme #1):
"Powerful End [EA 1024], from the Video Moods library"
["F. Mahl"" shows up as a writer credited on many 1950's music
production music library tracks published and released by Emil Ascher
Inc. of New York, NY;
Copyright records show that F. Mahl was a pseudonym, and they
link it to Everett Ascher who ran the publishing company founded
by his father Emil Ascher. ASCAP records show "Franz Mahl" as the
name listed in their records. Curiously they also list this name
as a writer for the French performance rights organization SACEM.
So "F. Mahl" may have been a catch-all pseudonym used by Ascher to
collect the writer's share of performance royalties whenever they
could get away with it.
The ghost writer who actually composed much of the music may have
been Michael Reynolds, who also wrote for other music libraries
under the pseudonym of George S. Chase.]
Composer: F. ("Franz") Mahl (ASCAP)
[pseudonym of either publisher Everett Ascher or
composer Michael Reynolds/George Chase]
Orig. Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: [not found in ASCAP or BMI databases]
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings: 78rpm in the "Video Moods" Production Library
distributed by Emil Ascher, Inc., New York
Ch. 10 "The News" (Close Theme #2):
"Ending of 'Be Glad Then, America' from 'The New England Triptych'"
[The "New England Triptych" was a 1956 symphonic composition
by William Schuman. He created this 3-movement work based upon three
different tunes written by William Billings -- known at the time of
the American Revolution.
The third movement is based upon Billings' most famous melody -- a tune
known as "Chester". It began as a hymn tune, and was taken up by the
Continental Army as a marching song in the war for independence
from Britain.
But it is the first movement -- "Be Glad Then, America" -- that the
producers at Channel 10 chose for the ending THEME with its quasi-
patriotic tone.
Channel 10 used the last 30-40 seconds of this stirring movement over
the closing credits of the nightly news for several years.
Composer: William Howard Schuman (BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Merion Music, Inc. (BMI)
of Bryn Mawr, PA
2014 Publisher: Merion Music Inc. (BMI)
of King of Prussia, PA
[as "New England Triptych (3 pieces for orchestra after William Billings)"]:
Copyright Date: Feb. 21, 1957; EP 106 470.
[individual filing for the movement, "Be Glad Then, America"]:
Copyright Date: June 25, 1975; EP 339 849.
Renewal Date: Dec. 31, 2003; RE 903 951.
Recordings: LP by the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra
conducted by Howard Hanson
Mercury Stereo LP SR90379 (1964)
CD "Howard Hanson conducts American Masterworks" (5-CD Set)
the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra
conducted by Howard Hanson
Mercury Living Presence 475627-4,
Philips Import (2004)
Ch. 10 "The News" (Close Theme #3):
"Finale of 'Symphonia Domestica', Opus 53"
[Richard Strauss had previously written the tone poem "A Hero's Life" to
to great acclaim. Four years later he wrote: "My next tone poem will
represent a day in my family life. It will be partly lyrical, partly
humorous – a triple fugue will bring together Papa, Mama and Baby."
The piece was finished in 1903 and debuted in Germany. One curious
coincidence was for the final three notes the full orchestra plays
the 'G - E - C' motif of the NBC Chimes. Since NBC wasn't formed
until 1926, this obviously wasn't a deliberate reference to radio.
Channel 10 was an NBC network affiliate at the time of this use
for ending the local news. So it may have seemed like a symphonic
nod to the network.]
Composer: Richard Strauss (German GEMA/ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Eduard Bote & Gustav Bock
[later Bote & Bock, GmbH]
of Berlin, Germany
1978 Publisher: Hawkes & Son, Ltd. (ASCAP)
of London, England
2014 Publisher: Boosey and Hawkes, Inc. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
U.S. Copyright Date: Feb. 17, 1904; C 64 970.
U.S. Renewal Date: Dec. 24, 1931; R 17 052.
Recordings: LP by The Cleveland Orchestra,
conducted by George Szell
Columbia ML-6027 (1964);
LP Re-issue on "Columbia Odyssey"
stereo Y 32889 (1974);
CD Re-issue on "Sony Essential Classics"
LSBK 53511 (1994)
Ch. 10 (1970s Public Affairs Theme):
"Gathering Crowds, from the KPM Production Music Library"
Composer: John Scott (British PRS/ASCAP)
[professional name of Patrick John O'Hara Scott]
Orig. Publisher: Keith Prowse Music (PRS)
of London, England
1978 Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
2014 Publisher: KPM APM (ASCAP)
c/o Associated Production Music
of Hollywood, CA
U.S. Copyright Date: [unknown]
Recording: LP in the British "KPM Recorded Music Library"
KPM 1138 Side A, Track 1
Ch. 10 Evening Sign-Off Theme #1:
"Prelude, from the film 'The Ten Commandments'"
[alternate theme title: "Love and Ambition";
Title filed for copyright: "Ten Commandments - Overture";
This 1956 soundtrack was one of Elmer Bernstein's most beloved, and
its Prelude served as an overture to the film while patrons were
seated in the movie theatre. It contained many of the melodies
Bernstein used throughout the film. It was orchestrated as per
Bernstein's sketch-scores by Leo Shuken and Lucien Cailliet.
This recording was also used for the KFSD/KOGO Channel 10
Morning "Sign-On" each day.]
Composer: Elmer Bernstein (ASCAP/BMI)
Original Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: Famous Music Corporation (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: Sony ATV Harmony (ASCAP),
of Nashville, TN
[cross-referenced as "Ten Commandments - Overture" on
the Renewal filing; also registered as "The Ten Commandments"]:
Copyright Date: Jan. 8, 1957; EU 461 414.
Renewal Date: Jan. 7, 1985; RE 234 682.
Recordings: Mono Soundtrack LP with the
studio orchestra conducted by Elmer Bernstein;
United Artists UAL-3495 (1956);
Stereo LP re-recorded with Bernstein conducting
Dot DLP-25054-D (1960);
Stereo re-issue 2-disk LP with Bernstein conducting
Paramount Pictures PAS 1006 (1972);
Stereo re-issue CD on MCA Records
MCAD-42320 (1989)
Ch. 10 Evening Sign-Off Theme #2:
"Rising Star (Love Theme), from the film 'The Electric Horseman'"
Composer: music by Dave Grusin (ASCAP/BMI)
[professional name of David Robert Grusin]
Orig. Publisher: Gold Horizon Music Corporation (BMI); and
Duchess Music Corporation (BMI)
2014 Publisher: EMI Gold Horizon Music Corp. (BMI)
c/o EMI Music Publishing
of Nashville, TN; and
Universal Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)
of Santa Monica, CA
[original copyright date]:
Copyright Date: 1979; PAu 154-119.
Recordings: [film score] by Dave Grusin
Soundtrack LP recording
performed by Willie Nelson
Columbia JS 36327 (1979)
KTTV Channel 11 (Los Angeles, Independent)
Before San Diego Channel 10 went on the air, KTTV in Los Angeles was able to
be seen in San Diego; after that the signal's interfered, and the closest one
(Channel 10) took precedence.
Sheriff John's Lunch Brigade (Theme): "Laugh and Be Happy"
[This children's show was the first of two daily TV shows from 1952
hosted by John Rovick in his role as "Sheriff John." The "Lunch Brigade"
was a noon-time show, and his "Cartoon Time" show was seen later. They
including the early animated TV series Crusader Rabbit, and Porky Pig
cartoons. There may even have been a tie-in with Beany & Cecil;
At one point he referred to his viewers as members of his "Fun Brigade",
and this was referenced on the label of his recorded theme song.
Sheriff John opened his show each day singing his theme song live --
a song he co-wrote with Lee Penny:
"Come on now, LAUGH AND BE HAPPY
and the world will laugh with you.
When people see you smiling
they can't help smiling too.
When you look out the window
to a dark and gloomy day
Break out a smile and in awhile
the gloom will go away..."
Even as a child watching this I wondered why a law enforcement
officer would be a singer; But of course one might also wonder why
a law enforcement officer might host a children's TV show.
Co-writer Lee Penny was a songwriter, publisher and producer.
He was head of the country music division for Mercury Records in
the 1940s. He founded the Trianon record label in 1950.
He is best known as the co-writer with Louise Massey of the hit
“My Adobe Hacienda” in 1941, which was release in 6 different
Billboard charted versions between 1941 -- 1947.
In the 1953 copyright filing both Lee Penny and John Rovick
shared "words and music" credit equally for the song.]
Composers: "Sheriff" John Rovick (not-affiliated), and
Lee Penny (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Commodore Music Corp. (BMI)
of Hollywood, California
2015 Publisher: EMI-Unart Catalog (BMI)
c/o EMI Music Publishing
div. of Sony-ATV Music
of Nashville, TN
Unpublished Copyright Date: Dec. 14, 1953; EU 341 077.
Unpublished Renewal Date: Dec. 28, 1981; RE 112 327.
Recording: 78-rpm and 45-rpm on the Imperial Records label,
both are Imperial 8221 (1954)
XETV Channel 6 (ABC/Independent)
Ch. 6 News (Theme #1):
"Mood No. 464 (Communications) from the Capitol 'Q' Library"
[This was actually a recycled Opening THEME for the
TV sitcom "My Hero", composed by Leon Klatzkin who
was a music editor for the MUTEL Music Service which
sub-licensed much music to the Capitol "Q" Library
for its first few years.]
Composer: Leon Klatzkin (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: (ASCAP)
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recording: 78rpm 16" transcription disc
in the Capitol "Q" Library
Ch. 6 News (Theme #2):
"Allegro" (first movement) of "Concerto in F, for Piano and Orchestra"
[Several TV stations across the country chose
to use this dramatic opener as their local news THEME
during the 1950s and 1960s -- using only the first
part of the first movement of this jazz-influenced tone
poem that Gershwin wrote in 1925, that he called a
"Concerto" for piano and orchestra;
The piece opens with a declarative statement via timpani
(kettle drums), cymbal and wind flourishes; followed by a
series of alternating major and minor ninth chords in a
1920's-style syncopated Charleston-rhythm played by the
full string section accented by brass; followed by the
woodwinds playing a pentatonic arpeggio outlining minor
sixth chords to further mix up the harmonic flavors;
The effect is a colorful jazz-age pastiche describing
the hustle-bustle of people and traffic in a major city;
This is probably why it appealed to so many production
managers seeking an ASCAP-cleared composition to use
as a news theme; and it influenced imitators who wrote
for production music libraries for years to come.]
Composer: George Gershwin (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: Harms, Inc. (ASCAP)
of New York, NY
1978 Publisher: [Not found in the 1978 ASCAP Index
of Performed Compositions]
2014 Publisher: New World Music Company, Ltd. (ASCAP)
c/o Warner-Chappell Music, Inc.
of Los Angeles, CA
Composition Date: 1925
[The 2-piano arrangement was filed for copyright[:
Copyright Date: Oct. 7, 1927; E 674 722.
Renewal Date: Oct. 15, 1954; R 137 654.
Recordings: LP of Pianist Earl Wild performing with
The Boston Pops Orchestra
conducted by Arthur Fiedler
RCA-Victor Red Seal LSC-2586 (1961)
KCST/KNSD-TV Channel 39 (Independent/NBC)
[last three items below identified courtesy KCST Channel 39
Audio Engineer James ("Jim") Alburger]
Ch. 39 (1974) News Theme Open/Close:
"39 Alive (news theme)"
[part of an original promotional music "image package"
named "39 Alive" written & produced for Peters Productions, Inc.,
San Diego, CA by Dave Shields. This package was syndicated to
several other TV markets using "11 Alive" (WPIX in New York
and WXIA-TV in Atlanta, GA) and other channel numbers.]
Composer: David G. ("Dave") Shields (ASCAP)
1978 Publisher: [none found]
2014 Publisher: [none found]
Copyright Date: [none found]
Recordings:
Ch. 39 (1976) News Opening Theme:
"Ponderosa, from the Network Production Music library"
[The "Network Production Music" library was created by the owners of
San Diego jingle company "Tuesday Productions". Craig E. Palmer was
the principal composer of the library, and created a number of
memorable industrial and western-flavored THEMES during the 1970s.
The library was sold to a Los Angeles company named "Killer Tracks",
and it has now found its way onto Digital downloads from Amazon.com
and iTunes]
Composer: Craig Everett Palmer (BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Network Production Music Publishing (BMI)
of San Diego, CA
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date: [none found]
Recordings:LP 017 B2098 in the
Network Production Music Library;
MP3 downloads available on the
album "Pioneer Spirit (Specialty)" by
the "Network Music Ensemble" via
Amazon.com and iTunes as of June, 2014;
Amazon.com Song ID: 223294585
Ch. 39 (1976) News Bumper to Commercial:
"Iron Horse, from the Network Production Music library"
Composer: Craig Everett Palmer (BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Network Production Music Publishing (BMI)
of San Diego, CA
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date: [none found]
Recordings:LP 017 A2102 in the
Network Production Music Library;
MP3 downloads available on the
album "Pioneer Spirit (Specialty)" by
the "Network Music Ensemble" via
Amazon.com and iTunes as of June, 2014;
Amazon.com Song ID: 223294584
Ch. 39 (1976) News Closing Theme:
"Country Livin', from the Network Production Music library"
Composer: Craig Everett Palmer (BMI)
Orig. Publisher: Network Production Music Publishing (BMI)
of San Diego, CA
2014 Publisher:
Copyright Date: [none found]
Recordings:LP 017 A2101 in the
Network Production Music Library;
MP3 downloads available on the
album "Pioneer Spirit (Specialty)" by
the "Network Music Ensemble" via
Amazon.com and iTunes as of June, 2014;
Amazon.com Song ID: 223294583
KEBS/KPBS-TV Channel 15 (PBS) from San Diego State
Ch. 15 "Profile" opening/closing signature: "Profile Stinger"
The series "Profile" was a weekly show seen on a fledgling
"bicycle route" network of educational TV stations -- who would later
join PBS (the Public Broadcasting System.) It was referred to as a
"bicycle route" since the early 2" analog video tape on which the
program was recorded would lose quality if duplicated. So the actual
tape on which the program was recorded was sent to the stations that
aired it, who sent it to the next station on the "route" when they
were finished.
At the time, in the 1960s, KEBS-TV on the campus of San Diego State had
one of the most advanced facilities for producing radio and television
of any of the State College system. So it attracted students and
professors from all over.
The content of the "Profile" TV series varied a bit -- perhaps one week
would be an interview of a single expert -- another week a full-fledged
costume drama. So the music on the series varied -- the only common
denominator was its short signature music -- used at the beginning and
repeated at the end behind a still graphic.
The series was produced in the Broadcasting Department of San Diego State
College (later San Diego State University.) The crew were Broadcasting
students under the direction of professor Thomas Skinner -- who later
became the co-producer of the National Geographic series of specials.
Conrad Stephen Susa (1935 - 2013) was music composer in residence at a
Shakespearean venue -- San Diego's "Old Globe" theatre -- from 1959 - 1994.
He created over 200 suites of incidental music, primarily for Shakespearean
productions, but also for some Broadway theatre revivals.
He was known primarily as a writer of chamber music, incidental music
for the theatre, choral music, and chamber operas (he wrote 5 of them.)
He also held a position from 1988 until his death at 2013 as professor
of composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Composer: Conrad Stephen Susa (ASCAP)
Orig. Publisher: [not found]
1978 Publisher: [not found]
2014 Publisher: [not found]
Copyright Date: [not found]
Recordings:
Ch. 15 [Public Affairs Theme]: "The Pharoah"
[aka: "Pharoah";
original title filed for 1956 copyright: "Pharoah (instrumental)";
from the Columbia LP "Music For Brass" produced by George Avakian;
This was an album celebrating "Third-Stream" -- semi-classical works
utilizing jazz idioms-- in a genre championed by Gunther Schuller.
The beginning of this work as used on TV was an engaging intro with
timpani, french horns, trombones and tuba alternating harmonies in
the major and minor modes...]
Composer: James P. ("Jimmy") Giuffre (BMI)
Orig. Publisher: [claimant: James P. Giuffre]
1978 Publisher: Planetary Music Publishing Corp. (ASCAP)
2014 Publisher: M J Q Music, Inc. (BMI)
c/o Hal Leonard-Milwin Music, Inc.
of Milwaukee, WI
[First Unpublished Registration as "Pharoah (instrumental)"]:
Unpublished Copyright Date: April 9, 1956; EU 434 115.
Unpublished Renewal Date: Oct. 29, 1984; RE 221 065.
[Second Unpublished Registration, as "The Pharoah"]:
Unpublished Copyright Date: July 15, 1957; EU 485 326.
[the following Registration is missing from the printed "Catalog of Copyright
Entries for 1962" (both vols.), and only appears via the Renewal copyright]:
Published Copyright Date: Mar. 26, 1962; EP 231 127.
Published Renewal Date: Jan. 9, 1990; RE-471-663.
Recordings: on the Columbia LP "Music For Brass"
"The Brass Ensemble of the Jazz and
Classical Music Society"
conducted by Gunther Schuller
Columbia CL 941 (1956),
reissued on CBS/Sony 20AP 1480;
CD reissued on "The Birth of the Third Stream"
Columbia/Legacy CK 64929 (1996);
CD reissued on "NPR Milestones of the Millennium:
Preludes, Fugues and Riffs: Jazz in Classical Music"
selected by the staff of National Public Radio
Sony Classical (1999)
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