A Brighter Day (soap opera)

    (CBS Daytime, 1954 - 1962)

    [This was based upon the radio soap opera which ran from 1948 - 1956;
     the radio THEME was commonly known as "At Dawning" -- actually "At Dawning,
     I Love You" by Charles Wakefield Cadman and Nelle Richmond Eberhart.]

    [Some theme information after 1956 courtesy Soap Opera music expert
     David R. Jackson, who has several screen shots of the various
     Soap Opera openings over the years on his web page
     at http://drjtv.fortunecity.ws/brighterday.html]


Open Theme 1 (1954 - 56): "A Brighter Day"

    [aka: "Prism";

    "A Brighter Day" is the title as filed for Copyright five years after
     its first use on TV; It is possible that a short opening was derived 
     from the complete THEME "Prism", and the title "Brighter Day" was used
     in ASCAP Cue Sheet references to distinguish between it and the
     complete THEME used as the End Credits music (see next listing).]

     Composer: Roy Felix Eaton (ASCAP/BMI)

     1978 Publisher: Minette Music, Inc. (BMI)
                       of Roosevelt Island, NY

     2001 Publisher: Minette Music, Inc. (BMI)
                       of Roosevelt Island, NY

     Copyright Date: March 23, 1959; Ep 128 466.

     Recordings:


Close Theme 2 (1954 - 56): "Prism"

    [title as filed for copyright: "A Brighter Day"]

    ["Prism" title verified in correspondence with Roy 
     Eaton during the 1980s;
     
     Verified as the THEME in TV Guide article "It Seems To Me
     I've Heard That Song Before" July 28, 1956, pp. 12-13]

     Composer: Roy Felix Eaton (ASCAP/BMI)

     1978 Publisher: Minette Music, Inc. (BMI)
                       of Roosevelt Island, NY

     2001 Publisher: Minette Music, Inc. (BMI)
                       of Roosevelt Island, NY

     Copyright Date: March 23, 1959; Ep 128 466.

     Recordings:


Theme 3 (1956 - 62): "Brighter Day"

    [above is ASCAP database title;
     original title aka: "Morning"(??) -- possibly referring to an arrangement
     of the old song, "At Dawning, I Love You" (1906) by Charles Wakefield Cadman
     and Nelle Richmond Eberhart.

     According to Soap Opera THEME collector David R. Jackson, during the Fall Season
     of 1956, this THEME alternated with the next THEME "Thunder", depending upon the
     mood of the episode. In the "TV Theme Soundtrack Directory" by Craig Pattillo,
     the title "Morning" is listed, but no such title by Leibert is in ASCAP databases;

     So one conclusion is that after 1956, "Morning" was the Main THEME and was 
     re-titled "Brighter Day"...

     However the Pattillo title "Morning" might have been a memory slip for "At Dawning" 
     which was the radio THEME...or a title which might have been used on TV during
     this period, to refer to an arrangement of "At Dawning" by Leibert.]

     Composer: Richard W. ("Dick") Leibert (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Emil Ascher, Inc. (ASCAP)
                        of New York, NY

     2001 Publisher: Noteworthy Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        of Coral Gables, FL

     Copyright Date:
     Recordings:


Alternate Theme 4 (1956 - 62): "Thunder"

    [according to Soap Opera THEME collector David R. Jackson, during the Fall season
     of 1956 this THEME alternated with the previous THEME aka "Morning", depending 
     upon the mood of the episode, but apparently wasn't used after that.]

     Composer: Richard W. ("Dick") Leibert (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Noteworthy Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        of Coral Gables, FL

     2001 Publisher: Noteworthy Music Co. (ASCAP),
                        of Coral Gables, FL

     Copyright Date:
     Recordings:




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