September 2011
50+ Main Titles: 1950–69
CREDITS
Thanks to the UCLA Film & Television Archive for letting us use their remastered opening for The Goldbergs.
Categories: 50 / Celebrities / Television
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Great list! I also liked "My Favorite Martian," "Green Acres," "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," "Leave it to Beaver," and "The Munsters."
Posted by: Dag | 09/02/2011 at 07:14 AM
You missed "Secret Agent"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K90joT4RSnA
Posted by: Marcy | 09/02/2011 at 11:45 AM
'M-A-S-H'????
Posted by: cody mccall | 09/02/2011 at 01:29 PM
How could you overlook The Adventures of Superman? Watch the intro and you know everything you need to watch the episode that follows. From the music, to the narration, to the shot of Superman in outer space to the dissolve to Clark Kent -- throw in some literal flag-waving and you've got everything you need. Inspiring, especially to a kid. That's my vote!
Posted by: M Catron | 09/02/2011 at 05:30 PM
You missed The Munsters and The Green Hornet.
Posted by: Thomas Cotrel | 09/02/2011 at 09:47 PM
How could you not include Leave It To Beaver?
Posted by: James | 09/04/2011 at 08:32 AM
We liked Adams Family, Green Acres and Gilligan's Island. These are a trip back in time to what always seems a happier and more innocent era.
Posted by: Natalie | 09/04/2011 at 09:11 AM
I wish you'd included "Ironside" in your selections. Quincy Jones' theme is the best I've ever heard for a TV show.
Posted by: Steve | 09/04/2011 at 10:29 AM
There's a contest? With those stirring first notes of the William Tell Overture and the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver, "The Lone Ranger" wins HANDS DOWN!
Posted by: Dawn Moore | 09/04/2011 at 10:39 AM
12 0' Clock High
Best theme music. Ever.
Posted by: Rick Hopkins | 09/04/2011 at 11:01 AM
It's impossible to cast a meaningful vote in the absence of the 1961-65 CBS series THE DEFENDERS. It won the Emmy three of its four years.
Posted by: D. R. Ginsburg | 09/04/2011 at 11:40 AM
The Mary Tyler Moore show!
Posted by: Sarah | 09/04/2011 at 11:43 AM
The Mary Tyler Moore show would be my #1 choice, but it didn't even make your top-50 ... Why?
Posted by: Lora | 09/04/2011 at 12:14 PM
My fave was not listed here - the second season of The Munsters.
Posted by: Tallahto | 09/04/2011 at 01:46 PM
"M-Squad" Starring Lee Marvin. Main title music by... COUNT BASIE! Yeah, baby! Fun article. Many good memories. Thanks.
Posted by: Walter Mackins | 09/04/2011 at 01:48 PM
This is nuts! No way of knowing how to vote or what number is what show.
I WANT AVENGERS TO BE THE WINNER.
AVENGERS!!!!!! BEST SHOW!!!!
But when I voted for it, they said I'd already voted. Impossible!!!!
Posted by: Sharon Hanson | 09/04/2011 at 02:16 PM
Lost in Space season #3 theme (7-6-5-4-3-2-1). Johnny Williams music. Great graphics, catchy tune.
Posted by: Kathy G | 09/04/2011 at 02:38 PM
Man From Uncle was forgotten on this list and so was The Munsters, both fabulous!!!
The songs of many of these TV shows people still sing!
For example, The Brady Bunch, Batman, and Adams Family I hear a lot! Same with 77Sunset Strip, Gilligans Island, Beverly Hillbillies, and Mission Impossible.
So many good memories.
Posted by: Sharon Hanson | 09/04/2011 at 02:52 PM
Mary Tyler Moore Show!!!
Posted by: Lindsay Schickel | 09/04/2011 at 03:19 PM
Mary Tyler Moore show is 1970
Posted by: Daniel smith | 09/04/2011 at 08:07 PM
BURNS AND ALLEN
MY 3 SONS
GIDGET
ABBOTT and COSTELLO
CHILLER
so many !!
Posted by: Paula | 09/04/2011 at 10:27 PM
Other great TV series were The Life of Riley, Amos 'N Andy, and One Step Beyond
Posted by: Harry | 09/05/2011 at 12:59 AM
You forgot
Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Secret Agent Man
The Prisoner
M*A*S*H
Jonny Quest
Heckle and Jeckle
The Munsters
The Roy Rodgers Show ("Happy Trails to you")
Sky King
Superman
Green Hornet
The Mickey Mouse Club (with Annette Funacello)
All in the Family
Spiderman (cartoon series)
Super Car
The Dinah Shore Show
The Red Skelton Show
Lost in Space
The Jeffersons ("Movin' On Up")
The Flying Nun
Car 54 Where Are You?
Hogan's Heroes
Twelve O'clock High
Posted by: Nick | 09/05/2011 at 03:38 AM
miami vice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: deidre stone | 09/05/2011 at 06:04 AM
I'm shocked that the Mary Tyler Moore show didn't make the top 50!
Posted by: Cosmos | 09/05/2011 at 07:51 AM
The Lone Ranger, of course . . . since Dark Shadows isn't eligible!
Posted by: K Scott | 09/05/2011 at 08:10 AM
You guys missed some other great openers:
CHiPS (the disco era version)
The 6 Million Dollar Man
Posted by: Coffee Guy | 09/05/2011 at 09:47 AM
Uhh, Fresh Prince of Bel Air?
Posted by: CJ | 09/05/2011 at 11:46 AM
Hey everybody .... PRIME TIME (7pm to 10pm) ... 1950 to 1969!!!
Posted by: Geo | 09/05/2011 at 11:49 AM
The only big miss that I don't see mentioned above is The Highway Patrol. As mentioned above, Superman was a huge miss. I had to map out the types. You have your story songs - Addams, Gilligan, Hillbillies, Patty Duke, etc. Then your cool music - Avengers, I Spy M.I., etc. Your Westerns - Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Rifleman, Rawhide. Your catchy cartoons - Batman, Jeannie and Bewitched. And your story tellers - Twilight Zone, Alfred H, Dragnet. Very hard to pick the best in each group. I had to go with Outer Limits as the most unique and the most foretelling.
Posted by: Don Wood | 09/05/2011 at 01:57 PM
Okay, folks, an obscure one, but worthy of a mention. Does anyone remember the hysterical "punch line" theme song to the Cloris Leachman vehicle sitcom "Phyllis?"
(And a shout-out to Kathy G. for her suggestions of Season 3 of "Lost in Space.")
Posted by: Tyrone S. | 09/05/2011 at 02:50 PM
Hawaii 5-0
Mission Impossible my top 2, but you guys forgot Miami Vice, a sort of east coast/updated version of 5-0 (and in stereo -something I believe none of the others have).
Posted by: H. Aloha | 09/05/2011 at 04:31 PM
what about HOGAN'S HEROES!!
Posted by: Gary Dawson | 09/05/2011 at 10:36 PM
Sanford & Son
Posted by: Jane | 09/06/2011 at 12:28 AM
I definitely agree about Superman!
Posted by: Twinkletoes | 09/06/2011 at 12:40 AM
Best TV watching when I was young was The Lone Ranger. If only we had heroes like that now.
Posted by: Norma Saken | 09/06/2011 at 07:05 AM
Noe Donna Reed?
Posted by: harpon | 09/06/2011 at 08:22 AM
The Lone Ranger Is #1..
Posted by: Jane | 09/06/2011 at 09:42 AM
Mission Impossible anyone?
Posted by: Elisachat | 09/06/2011 at 10:16 AM
For my money, Cowboy Bebop takes the gold.
Posted by: Taylor | 09/06/2011 at 10:49 AM
Mannix and The Wild Wild West are two oversights
Posted by: Walter Neff | 09/06/2011 at 10:52 AM
Come on T.V. fans.CLAYTON MOORE 'The lone Ranger' would have been 97 yrs.on 14th.September.2011.Lets celebrate'Kemo Sabay's Birthday and put him where he belong's...No.1.
Posted by: Derek O'Rourke | 09/06/2011 at 11:06 AM
no Jefferson's.
Posted by: weird | 09/06/2011 at 11:21 AM
remember its 1950-1969 and prime tv only
Posted by: Bill Lidon | 09/06/2011 at 11:23 AM
Let's give CLAYTON MOORE (The Lone Ranger), the credit the great man deserves.His creed was,'That all things change but the truth, and truth alone, lives on forever'. Please vote for , THE LONE RANGER.
Posted by: Tracy O'Rourke | 09/06/2011 at 12:19 PM
The Outer Limits is like none other....but, you chose an episode where the main title has been edited (shortened-no volume change, fluttering, etc.). Perhaps you could switch your choice with 'The Hundred Days of the Dragon.'
Posted by: Paul | 09/06/2011 at 01:49 PM
Can we still vote if we're twenty-somethings in Ireland? Thanks to re-runs of The Loan Ranger over here we're all hooked. Love the ethos, love his voice, love his Irish name (Moore), but most relevant in this case - love the opening intro !!
Posted by: Helena Shanahan | 09/06/2011 at 02:03 PM
ooops, sorry, I meant to write Lone Ranger (not Loan).
Posted by: Helena Shanahan | 09/06/2011 at 02:11 PM
Mary Tyler Moore Show
Posted by: vanessa blair | 09/06/2011 at 02:17 PM
Mannix had great opening titles and a great theme to match.
Posted by: Richard | 09/06/2011 at 02:53 PM
"Lost in Space" is not listed here? A crime. One of the most original TV themes ever - one that is evocative of the show and its themes unlike many of the themes in this "top 50." Plus it had a clever animated sequence. Hands down far better than many of these opening sequences.
Posted by: J F Norris | 09/06/2011 at 05:03 PM
OK, I admit that I'm a sucker for the sleek warm sound of the Hammond organ, but I think the theme for Mr. Lucky was one of Mancini's best .... the cat is pretty cool too .... check it out.
Posted by: Geo | 09/06/2011 at 05:28 PM
Superman was not a prime time show.
Posted by: Geo | 09/06/2011 at 05:33 PM
Lonr Ranger was the best ever !
Posted by: Pete Klaus | 09/07/2011 at 06:16 AM
I Dream of Jeannie
The Lone Ranger
Superman
Posted by: blkaye | 09/07/2011 at 09:18 AM
'He stood for Good, truth and honesty both as Clayton Moore and as 'THE LONE RANGER'.Let's put Kemo Sabay at the top of this poll, especially as it nears his birthday. "Western Fans, uphold the Law and,do your duty" !
Posted by: Richard O'Rourke | 09/07/2011 at 10:20 AM
You missed lost in space
Posted by: vance m kosloff | 09/07/2011 at 07:02 PM
Mary Tyler Moore!!!!!!
Posted by: Chet Sewell | 09/07/2011 at 09:29 PM
No Hogans Hero's?
Posted by: Roberto | 09/07/2011 at 10:49 PM
Don't see it mentioned by anyone, but I like it...and watch it each night on Me-TV...Perry Mason. Love the music.
Posted by: Ted Mark | 09/08/2011 at 11:00 AM
Maverick should be among the choices.
Posted by: Bill Yarbor | 09/08/2011 at 11:10 AM
'He stood for Good, truth and honesty both as Clayton Moore and as 'THE LONE RANGER'.Let's put Kemo Sabay at the top of this poll, especially as it nears his birthday. "Western Fans, uphold the Law and,do your duty" !
Posted by: Jerry | 09/08/2011 at 07:25 PM
Lassie
Dr. Kildare
Ben Casey
Perry Mason
My Mother the Car
Mannix
so many you missed....
Posted by: ebr | 09/09/2011 at 05:56 PM
You missed Coronation Street-Neighbours-Home And Away-Prisoner Cell Block H-Homicide-Division 4-Matlock Police-The Box-Number 96
Posted by: Norman Stanley | 09/11/2011 at 03:30 AM
Wild Wild West!
Posted by: Laura | 09/11/2011 at 06:05 AM
If flipper is worthy, certainly Lassie bears mentioning. One of the longer running shows of the 60's & 70's.
Posted by: shelley | 09/11/2011 at 08:32 AM
My vote definitely goes for Mission: Impossible. The score itself was unforgettable, it captured the attention of the viewers, and when used within the context of the episodes themselves, would transform any action scene into a nail-biter. The opening title sequence, with it's quick edits of scenes from that evening's episode playing behind an animated fuse burning away, is a classic. No other titles could quite match that of Mission: Impossible. I would have liked to have seen The Greatest American Hero receive mention, however.
Posted by: Doug S. | 09/11/2011 at 12:45 PM
THE PRISONER
Nothing else comes close.
Posted by: John Beatty | 09/11/2011 at 04:21 PM
I can't believe no one mentioned the show that gave Clint Eastwood his start: Wagon Train with Ward Bond & John? Horton. Also I agree there are 3 great additional westerns missing: Maverick, Cheyenne, & Sugarfoot.
Posted by: Frank Chandler | 09/11/2011 at 05:18 PM
Perry Mason, hands down. Especially the first season, when the music was a cooler jazz.
Posted by: Bert | 09/11/2011 at 08:08 PM
"I believe that to have a friend a person must be one".Part of the LONE RANGER/Clayton Moore 'Creed',Let's get our man past 50% Western Fans.
Posted by: Derek | 09/12/2011 at 10:20 AM
What contest ?. William tell overture-Silver-Clayton Moore as , THE LONE RANGER...Pardner there just ain't no competition !
Posted by: Tracy O'Rourke | 09/12/2011 at 10:27 AM
MTM
Greatest American Hero
Avengers
Posted by: ann crickmer | 09/12/2011 at 12:19 PM
The Avengers
Posted by: Pico | 09/12/2011 at 02:02 PM
Robert Horton was great. Thanks for reminding me of him.
Speaking of 'Wagon Train', what was the name of the show with Chill Wills about a circus ? 'Circus Train', maybe ???
It used to air after school, and the theme was okay, as I recall.
Posted by: Pico | 09/12/2011 at 02:14 PM
With his faithful indian companion Tonto, the daring and resoursful mask rider of the plains, led the fight for law and order, in the early western United States. No where in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return to the snarl to the thrilling day of yeser years, come out of the path comes the thundering hoof beats of the great horse Silver, Hi HO Silver, away, the Lone Ranger
rides again!
Posted by: Gary H. Watanabe | 09/12/2011 at 03:14 PM
Those were some hard choices. So many great programs back in the day. I went with Hawaii 5-0 although for me Batman comes in a very close 2d. Those show opens and the music bring out my inner 60s go-go girl lol
Posted by: Sabrina Messenger | 09/12/2011 at 03:37 PM
Just a suggestion as you gather the 1990s list, please include the Days and Nights of Molly Dodd. Best opening ever.
Posted by: asher hawke | 09/12/2011 at 08:06 PM
Another vote for THE PRISONER. Mod Squad second place.
Posted by: JT | 09/13/2011 at 02:11 AM
The Lone Ranger, announced by my father, Fred Foy. We miss you, Dad.
Posted by: Nancy Foy | 09/13/2011 at 12:46 PM
Many great classic openings here, of which Hawaii 5O is my favorite. But, if you include more recent programs, imho, the title sequence for Enterprise (the version from the first season) is the best of all time. It's beautiful and inspiring.
Posted by: woof-woof | 09/13/2011 at 02:45 PM
OK, I can understand why some of the one I have not heard of are here (Hawaiian Eye?), but the Goldbergs? What the heck is special about that opening? All you had was some lady hawking a vitamin in a heavy ethnic accent.
Especially compared to so many of the others mentioned already above.
Hogan's Heroes'
Superman
The original Spiderman cartoon.
(So iconic they referenced it in the movie)
Lost in Space.
The Time Tunnel
The Prisoner
Daniel Boone
The Mickey Mouse show.
Posted by: Richard | 09/13/2011 at 02:59 PM
What about Rat Patrol or Maverick?
Posted by: fred | 09/14/2011 at 02:10 PM
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Posted by: black ugg boots | 09/16/2011 at 05:59 AM
The Bob Newhart Show would be in my top 10 list!
Posted by: Greg | 09/16/2011 at 01:37 PM
The Simpsons
Laverne & Shirley
Mr. Rogers
Happy Days
Posted by: Amos | 09/16/2011 at 08:42 PM
This is a cool contest, but your list seems to have left out the best shows of the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond. How about Hill Street Blues, The Jeffersons, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Charlie's Angels, The Sopranos...? Maybe you should run a contest by decade?
Posted by: S | 09/16/2011 at 09:27 PM
And my favorite, Room 222.
Posted by: Leigh | 09/17/2011 at 10:49 PM
A lot of people are missing the fact that this is only part one - up to 1969, so programs like MASH & Mary Tyler Moore are not going to be on this list!
Posted by: Stuart | 09/18/2011 at 12:38 AM
What about ADVENTURES IN PARADISE with Gardner McKay?
Posted by: bill | 09/18/2011 at 07:35 AM
SUGARFOOT starring Will Hutchins?
Posted by: bill | 09/18/2011 at 07:37 AM
So does anyone else find it ironic that this list is for shows up until 1969 and the Brady Bunch theme is not the 1969 version? The kids didn't sing it that first year.
Posted by: Paul | 09/18/2011 at 08:53 AM
"It is always the really sick people that try to take over the world. The rest of us are content to just give a couple of cocktail parties." --Gene Elder
San Antonio, Texas
elder4tomato@yahoo.com
Posted by: Gene Elder | 09/18/2011 at 01:07 PM
Original 50's Superman and Mickey Mouse Club opening,
Posted by: Chris Barnes | 09/18/2011 at 03:59 PM
Lone Ranger? No way. It's not even a theme. It's a classical piece. Batman is the real #1. But when I voted, it said that I had already voted. The voting was rigged.
Posted by: John | 09/19/2011 at 10:52 AM
How about "Hawaiian Eye"?
You know, "Cricket Blake".
Posted by: Doug Johnson | 09/19/2011 at 03:46 PM
no Good Times or the Jefferson's
This is a bias list if I ever saw one. Who put this list together the Grand Wizard of the Klan or maybe it was a Republican
Posted by: Kyle | 09/20/2011 at 02:09 PM
you should have included "the Donna reed Show". their sequence was parodied by the "Munsters" which also should be on the list. "Route 66" had no recurring sequence, but probably had the coolest theme song of its time and the best product placement of all time (Chevy was the major sponsor and the guys were always in a Corvette)--those should be a separate categories.
Posted by: Rich | 09/20/2011 at 03:41 PM
The Flying Nun!
Posted by: me | 09/20/2011 at 04:26 PM
Surfside 6. Even Stewie did a rendition on Family Guy.
Posted by: Chuck | 09/21/2011 at 01:24 PM