(First run on NBC Primetime, 1955; CBS Primetime, 1955 - 1957; NBC Primetime, 1957 - 1959; Re-run on ABC daytime, 1959 - 1961 under title "Love That Bob!"; Syndicated under title "Love That Bob!") [...in which Cummings plays a photographer and bon vivant, with his sidekick assistant "Schultzy" played by Ann B. Davis, and his sister Margaret played by Rosemary De Camp...each episode began with Bob Cummings holding a camera and saying, "Hold it! I think you're gonna like this picture", and snapping the shutter of the flash camera...; This is the SECOND of FOUR sitcoms starring Bob Cummings; NOTE: This series was also known in Daytime re-runs on the ABC Network and later in Syndication under the title "Love That Bob"; The FIRST series was "My Hero" (NBC, 1952-53) which see; The THIRD series was ALSO called "The Bob Cummings Show" (CBS, 1961-62) which see; and The FOURTH series was "My Living Doll" (CBS, 1964 - 1965), which see.]
Contributor Mark Koldys has researched the themes of this show and has verified that this was the original series theme used as early as 1955 on the CBS show using airchecks with that date on them. The tune was also heard on the NBC version of the show. It had been published in 1941, and one published version of the sheet music had the "Fred Waring" group on the cover. The registrations below indicate that all 3 writers were involved in composing both words & music. Composers: Frank Stanton (ASCAP) [professional name of Francis Hayward Stanton], Del Sharbutt (ASCAP), and Richard R. Uhl (ASCAP) 1978 Publishers: Surrey Music Co. (ASCAP); and Rathvon Music (ASCAP) 1999 Publishers: Surrey Music Co. (ASCAP) of Franklin, TN; and Rathvon Music (ASCAP) of Briarcliff Manor, NY [1st registration]: Copyright Date: Feb. 1, 1941; EP 93 024. Renewal Date: [2nd registration/renewal; According to the renewal notice this has the same registration number as in the February registration above...but lists an original April registration date]: Copyright Date: April 14, 1941; EP 93 024. Renewal Date: April 15, 1968; R 433 842. Recordings: LP: "The Swing's to TV" Bud Shank & Bob Cooper with Strings and Rhythm World Pacific Records WPM-411 / LP 1002 (1958) LP: "Great Themes from TV Shows" The Metropolitan Jazz Quartet (led by Lou Garisto) MGM E-3729 (1958)
Gene Le Grande was the credited Music Director on the "Bob Cummings Show" during its original network runs. It was a stage name for Mahlon Merrick who also worked as the Music Director for Jack Benny. Gene (Jean) was his first wife's name, and Legrand was his middle name. This theme in Merrick's catalog was used during part or all of the syndication runs. Composer: Gene Le Grande (ASCAP/BMI) [pseudonym of Mahlon Legrand Merrick] Original Publisher: [unknown, but may have been Byron Music (BMI)] 1999 Publisher: Palisades Music Publishing Company (BMI) of Tampa, Florida Copyright Date: Renewal Date: Recordings: original in the MUTEL Music Service; also re-cycled in in The Capitol "Q" Series library from Capitol Records Special Products: