Classic TV Theme: Jack Benny Thru the Years

Описание: When Jack Benny took his radio show to television it was a risk. For years he appeared once or twice a month before taking a regular weekly spot on CBS. It was basically the radio show reinvented for a visual medium, with big name guest stars and some of Hollywood's top comedy talent. And Jack Benny, who could get laughs with just a look. After 14 years he moved to NBC; the weekly show would last just one more season, but a series of specials kept Benny in the spotlight. Most of the series themes came from the show's bandleader, Mahlon Merrick, who became known for writing a commercial jingle that became a pops concert staple (the 'Look Sharp March'), along with tv themes ('Love That Bob'). The tune most identified with Jack Benny ('Love in Bloom') isn't technically a theme for the show; it's Benny's signature tune played when he walks out. But you'll still hear it a few times. By request, Jack Benny Thru the Years:
00:00 Season 2 opening and end credits (1951). The show opened with a fanfare, and closed with the song that ended so many radio episodes: 'Hooray for Hollywood!'
00:48 Season 4 sponsored opening and end credits (1953). After an intro cribbed from a well-known violin exercise (by Rodolphe Kreutzer), the band strikes up 'Be Happy, Go Lucky'. Lucky Strike was Jack's tv sponsor and he who pays the fiddler calls the tune, which is why the jingle is also played over the end credits. Includes a Lucky Strike commercial from the show.
03:29 Opening titles, season 9 (1959) Updated 'Lucky Strike' opening uses a different tune.
03:53 Opening titles, season 13 (1962) This 'faces' opening came later in the show's run, when letting sponsors control the titles was going out of fashion. The end credits music is 'The S and J Stomp' by Mahlon Merrick. It was also used on another show: 'The People's Choice'.
05:54 Opening titles, end credits, and logo, season 15. The show moved to NBC and Merrick came up with a new theme: 'Jay Bee Main Title NBC'. It has a lively Broadway-musical sound to it.
07:39 Opening titles and end credits, 'Sunday with Jack Benny'. Mahlon Merrick wrote this all-new theme ('J.B. Sunday Theme' aka 'The Waukegan Walk') for CBS Sunday afternoon reruns.
08:41 Opening titles and end credits, 'The Jack Benny Hour' (1965) .This is one of the specials that ran on NBC. The credits use a new arrangement (by Dave Grusin) of the tune Jack used way back in season two: 'Hooray for Hollywood!'
11:16 Opening titles and end credits, 'The Jack Benny Hour' (color, 1966). The music is entirely different from the previous example. Jack Elliott is credited for arranging and conducting.
14:26 A recap of the 'S and J Stomp' as recorded for the MUTEL music library. It's basically the same theme but with a different intro (and no audience sounds or voiceovers).