Coolest openings for '50s shows?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Classic TV: The 50s
ZevII — 15 years ago(July 03, 2010 07:46 PM)
Most of the 1950s TV shows had pretty basic openings: Often a drawing or a cartoon accompanied by the theme song (I Love Lucy, Jack Benny, The Honeymooners, Sgt. Bilko, Wagon Train, Maverick, Cheyenne, etc.); Or for sitcoms, the family leaving the house one by one to introduce each actor.
So, what show from the '50s did you think had a really cool opening? I don't mean just a cool theme song, but a creative visual to go along with it.
For me, I liked the opening to "The Adventures of Superman." Not only has the "faster than a speeding bullet" narration become famous, but when I was a kid, I was really impressed seeing Superman/Clark Kent standing in the whole outer space setting.
Anyway, any other openings that were your favorites? -
grantch — 15 years ago(July 04, 2010 03:05 AM)
At 4:30 pm Monday through Friday on CBS: a visual of the Cincinatti skyline in bright light and a diagonal darkness descended from the upper right corner of the screen so the city was in darkness as the lights came on, you'd hear Paul Taubman strike some suspenseful chords on the piano, and while the words appeared on the screen Harry Kramer would intone: The EDGE of Night.
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ZevII — 15 years ago(July 10, 2010 03:30 PM)
I've seen some Highway Patrol re-runs on 'This' TV late at night this summer. Yeah, it seemed like the openings were adapted to that weel's episode, with a camera in a helicopter or plane speeding over the highway until it passed a Highway Patrol roadblock or something.
Zorro, I only vaguely remember the opening. The theme song sticks with me, but not the visual. I think Guy Williams cut a bunch of Z's across the screen, but I don't recall exactly. -
richard-mason — 15 years ago(July 13, 2010 06:54 PM)
The Henry Mancini music was cool enough, but it was accompanied by sort of animated "absract" art (that's what we used to call it then, anyway) which, as far as I remember, finally resolved itself, out of fairly shapeless blobs, into the words "Peter Gunn"
It was cool, baby -
bodryn — 13 years ago(July 16, 2012 02:38 PM)
I remember Highway Patrol started that whole "10-4" kick that people later used when they got on their CBs. That whole "ten code" business. Broderick Crawford sure came across as this no-nonsense tough highway bull.
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jgs1935 — 15 years ago(July 19, 2010 12:35 PM)
The original opening to "Naked City" was pretty creative using footage taken far overhead showing all of New York city and narrated by producer Herbert "Bert" Leonard.
"The Rifleman" had an attention-getting opening, but the closing theme music was better. "The Bob Cummings Show" also caught the viewer off guard, with a camera flash.
Try also "Mr. and Mrs. North," I thought that was fairly well done. -
ZevII — 15 years ago(July 22, 2010 10:28 AM)
Did the '50s Dragnet open the same way it did in the '60s?
I remember the '60s series would open with Jack Webb's naarration "This is the city" followed by a few facts about Los Angeles. Then Webb would wrap it up by saying "I work here. I'm a cop," and then the powerful theme music followed. -
3rdrowleft — 15 years ago(September 10, 2010 10:39 AM)
Nobody's mentioned The Twilight Zone yet?
How To Marry A Millionaire would slightly different openings each week with a male voice-over mentioning different ways of becoming a millionaire followed by female who says, "There's another wayyou can marry it".
The Millionaire began each week with the character of Michael Anthony (Marvin Miller) explaining that he is private secretary to billionaire John Beresford Tipton and it's job to give away checks for one million dollars to individuals.
Fade to opening scene of that week's episode in which Michael enters Tipton's presence (face never seen, foreshadowing Charlie of Angels fame) and asking "You sent for me, sir".
But throughout it all, my motto was "Dignity! Always dignity!". -
jimbo97-1 — 12 years ago(May 19, 2013 01:15 PM)
She would swing open the double doors and make a dramatic entrance in a long evening gown, closing the doors behind her. I can't remember who did a satire of this (sounds like a Carol Burnett thing), only closing the doors on the train of her gown which is ripped off when she walks in.
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KrazeeforKittiez — 11 years ago(September 14, 2014 05:10 PM)
Who can forget Loretta Young's entrances through the double doors?
LOL.When I was a kid; we always imitating that by walking throught a door and twirling. Worked best with a full skirt and a bunch of petticoats.
I had the chance to work with Michael Jackson who was as brilliant as they come.
Tommy Mottola -
kellykoop — 15 years ago(September 12, 2010 04:43 PM)
Have Gun - Will Travel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WPWoftenxE&feature=related -
AzumaReiji — 13 years ago(April 20, 2012 04:12 AM)
Hmmm I'm wondering if the Twilight Zone would be eligible. Although the series started in 1959, its iconic theme actually didn't come about until the 60's. The first season used that more moody piece.
It's as if all my fandoms have major anniversaries this year!