Television Treasures

I watch a fair bit of television as you might imagine. These days I am a little disappointed with television theme music, perhaps it might be worth me exploring why in the little piece below.

Modern shows such as Heroes for example has great character related themes throughout the show such as Claire's theme and Hiro's tune but the actual theme that opens and closes the show is not something that you find yourself humming or whistling the next day at work nor does it invoke visions of great heroism or adventure.

Let me take you back to the 1960s when Simon Templar raised a well acted eyebrow to the famous theme music which sent your pulse into overdrive knowing that the next hour would be full of daring do and high adventure. Can you hear it now as that white Volvo sped across the London or European landscape? Edwin Astley wrote that theme based on the earlier tune suggested by Saint creator Leslie Charteris.

How else did Mr Astley influence our television pleasure, well he wrote Danger Man and Randall and Hopkirk Deceased themes, great use of harpsichord stylings and that almost unmistakable sixties Guitar Sound made famous by such groups as the Beatles.

We were transported away to these fantasy realms even before the programme had really begun, sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to see what scrapes our heroes would get into and of course how ingenious and brave they would be in getting out of them.

How pleasing it was to also pick out the strings, somehow making the other worldliness of Randall and Hopkirk seem less scary than the otherwise ghost story format might seem to a young audience.

Danger Man had a similar feel, the loud trumpet sound making it clear that our man is not simply a Dangerous Man but one of the good guys, his is a fanfare, a tune that makes it clear that you don't mess with this guy but that he will also look after the best interests of not only the country but in so doing is on our side too. Patrick Mc Goohan embodied a character that had complicated motivation but we could rely on him t do the right thing in any crisis. His music backs this up unreservedly.

Similarly if we go stateside for a moment the music of Lalo Sciffrin for Mission Impossible has similar overtones and was used recently in the successful Tom Cruise movie version of the series made by the Desilu studio. I would like to state here that we at Television Treasures mourn the passing of Peter Graves who for me will always be the undisputed boss of the IMF team, no disrespect to Mr Cruise.

Oh by the way some themes are simply better than the programme that they herald, check out the them to Department S. For me you can consider switching off after the credits but listen to the jeapordy and sophistication of this music and you will no doubt become transported to great heights of antisipation sadly what follows is often something less.

The most up to date music that I would like you to listen to if you get the chance is the amazing opening music for The Persuaders starring Roger Moore and Tony Curtis. this music too is loud and uncompromising, it makes it clear straight away that the two stars are here to make a lasting impression, not just on the bad guys but on us the viewing public as well.

These themes are so good that they can last a lifetime, Chris Evans used the Theme from Man in a Suitcase for his programme TFI Friday, this music too is a rousing theme, even though our hero is down on his luck and cut off from the support of his colleagues, he is still a hero. His theme simply will not let you forget it. Thank you Ron Grainer, that name sounds familiar, More on him in just a moment.

Perhaps the most enduring music from 1960s television is the music used for Dr Who. Ron Grainer of the BBC Radiophonic workshop put this together or with respect composed it. Of course I refer to the Time Lord's entrance music, this tune has been updated a few times but is essentially the same basic melody that we grew up with. In recent years the music has been given broader depth with the addition of a glorious string section which adds emotional heart to a tune that used to send people scurrying behind the settee in search of a safe hiding place without softening the adventurous spirit of the composition.

Perhaps Mr Grainer knew that The Doctor had two hearts and could himself withstand such a pulsating and vibrant theme tune, we are certainly glad that he made it so memorable and inspiring to listen to.

The sixties was a time of experimentation and living life to the full, perhaps this is why the music of the time is so exciting and engaging to us today. optimism and creativity were at their height at this time and leave a pleasing musical legacy for us to enjoy again and again today. Enjoy the work of these often overlooked composers as we have, you will not be disappointed. David Smith Television Treasures