NBC Color Movies (since 1961)

    (NBC Primetime, 1961 - Present)

    [Network film presentations prior to 1961 were usually quite
     dated or foreign. NBC's "Saturday Night at the Movies" on 
     September 23, 1961 started a new trend. (1) the networks got
     rights to broadcast more recent feature films from major 
     motion picture studios, and (2) the advent of color TV made
     these film broadcasts more acceptable to the audience, which
     had only seen TV as a black and white delivery medium. After
     NBC tried it and succeeded in terms of high ratings, the other 
     networks soon followed suit with color feature film series.

     NBC also used the concept of a Made-for-TV Movie to introduce
     a rotating number of series, which could be spun off if they
     were successful, via its "NBC Mystery Movie". Another idea
     similar to ABC's "Wide World of Entertainment" was the NBC
     umbrella title "Big Event" which sometimes contained movies;

      "NBC Saturday Night at the Movies"     (Fall,   1961)
      "NBC Tuesday  Night at the Movies"     (Fall,   1965)
      "NBC Monday   Night at the Movies"     (Fall,   1968)

      "NBC Mystery Movie" [umbrella title for
        McCloud, Columbo, McMillan and Wife,
        Banacek, Cool Million, Madigan]      (Fall,   1971)

      "NBC World Premiere Movie"             (Winter, 1971)
      "NBC Thursday Night at the Movies"     (Fall,   1975)
      "NBC Movie of the Week"                (Fall,   1976)
      "The Big Event" [sometimes movies]     (Fall,   1976)
      "The NBC Late-Night Movie"             (Summer, 1977)]


Theme 1: "Saturday Night at the Movies"

    [THEME credit verified by collector Gary Stark of
     Cleveland with information supplied by NBC-TV...Also:
     Klatzkin is credited as the author in the TV Guide article 
     of April 28, 1962 on THEMES titled "Looking for a Lost Chord?"
     on pp.12-13.
     
     MUTEL writers were sometimes "ghost writers" or adapters
     who "changed a few notes" of the melody over the original
     chord progressions. MUTEL then sent these scores off to be 
     re-recorded in France. This was to workaround the ASCAP 
     and/or Musician's Union. 
     
     See also Theme #3 below...which may have referred to this
     composition, credited to the actual writer...]

     Composer: credited to Leon Klatzkin (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Loma Vista Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
                    [a div. of the MUTEL Music Service]

     1998 Publisher: Loma Vista Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
                         of Los Angeles, CA
                    [a div. of the MUTEL Music Service]

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings: 


Theme 2: "Saturday Night at the Movies"

     Composer: Skitch Henderson (ASCAP)
              [professional name of Lyle Russel Henderson]

     1978 Publisher: Welzheim Music Corp. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publisher: Welzheim Music Corporation (ASCAP),
                        of New Milford, CT

     Copyright Date: May 22, 1963; Eu 774 394.
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 3: "Saturday Night at the Movies"

    [this may be a revised ASCAP credit for Theme 1 above...
     possibly Klatzkin's THEME incorporated a Steiner melody
     or his open was edited onto a Steiner melody at the close...
     
     ...or MUTEL tried to adapt a Steiner melody by "changing 
     a few notes" and got caught.]

     Composer: Max Steiner (ASCAP)

     1978 Publisher: Loma Vista Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
                    [a div. of the MUTEL Music Service]

     1998 Publisher: Loma Vista Publishing Co. (ASCAP)
                        of Los Angeles, CA
                    [a div. of the MUTEL Music Service]

     Copyright Date: 
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 4: "Tuesday and Saturday Movies"

    [aka: "Theme III" (??);

     Robert William Scott was sometimes known as Robert Kirkland; Don't know
     which was the professional name and which was the real name.]

     Composer: Robert William Scott (ASCAP)
              [aka Robert Kirkland]

     1978 Publisher: Spectacular Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publisher: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
                        c/o EMI Music Publishing
                        of New York, NY

     Composition Date:

    [as "Theme III"]:
     Copyright Date: Nov. 26, 1956; Eu 457 763.
     Renewal   Date: 

     Recordings:


Theme 5: "Mark in the Evening -- Theme for 'NBC Sunday Night at the Movies'"

    [BMI Title: "Mark in the Evening"]
    [aka: "Monday Night at the Movies"]

     Composer: Ray Ellis (ASCAP/BMI)
    [professional name of Raymond S. Ellis]

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI)
                        c/o EMI/Blackwood Music Publishing
                        of New York, NY

    [1st registration (info courtesy contributor T. Perrone)]:
     Copyright Date: August 8, 1970; EU 197 765.
     Renewal   Date:

    [2nd registration (may be a new arrangement)]:
     Copyright Date: Oct. 2, 1972; EU 362 988.
     Renewal   Date:
     
    [Published combo arrangement by Bob O'Brien, registered under
     the title "Monday Night at the Movies Theme (Hudson Valley)"]:
     Copyright Date: Jan. 11, 1973; EP 307 716.
     Renewal   Date:    

     Recordings: 


Theme 6: "Mystery Movie Of The Week"

    [above is the title as filed for copyright; the ASCAP title
     is "Mystery Movie (Signature)", aka: "Mystery Movie Theme", 
     and "Mystery Movie Main Title"]

     Composer: Henry Mancini (ASCAP)
              [professional name of Enrico Nicola Mancini]

     1978 Publisher: Leeds Music Corp. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publisher: MCA/On Backstreet Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
                        c/o MCA Music Publishing
                        a division of Universal Studios, Inc.
                        of Los Angeles, CA

     Copyright Date: Oct. 13, 1971; Eu 283 321.
     Renewal   Date: Jan. 15, 1999; RE-801-021.

     Recordings: 


Theme 7: "NBC's Mystery Theatre Theme"

     Composers: Leroy Leon Pendarvis, Jr. (BMI), and
                Joy Carol Sicurella (BMI)

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI), 
                     c/o EMI Blackwood Music Publishing, of
                     New York, NY

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings: 


Theme 8 (1971): "Theme - NBC World Premiere"

    [above is "legal title" as listed in BMI database; ASCAP titles...
     aka: "World Premiere Theme";
     aka: "World Premiere 12"]

     Composer: Billy Goldenberg (ASCAP/BMI)
              [professional name of William Leon Goldenberg]

     2002 Publisher: Universal-On Backstreet Music (ASCAP)
                        c/o Universal-MCA Music Publishing
                        a div. of Universal Studios
                        of Los Angeles, CA

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 9 (1976 - 1977): "Theme On The Chimes"

     [based upon the 3-note "NBC Chimes" motif, manuscript 
      information courtesy the composer; probable dates of
      use: 1976 - 77]

     Composer: Howard L. Shore (ASCAP/BMI)

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI), 
                     c/o EMI Blackwood Music Publishing, of
                     New York, NY

     Copyright Date: May 12, 1976; EU 674 254.
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings: 


Theme 10: "Big Event"

    [aka: "NBC Movie of the Week"]
    [Probable dates of use: 1977 - 79]

     Composer: Ray Ellis (ASCAP/BMI)
    [professional name of Raymond S. Ellis]

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI)
                        c/o EMI Blackwood Music Publishing
                        of New York, NY

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings: 


Theme 11: "NBC Big Event Theme"

     Composers: Leroy Leon Pendarvis, Jr. (BMI), and
                Joy Carol Sicurella (BMI)

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI)
                        c/o EMI Blackwood Music Publishing
                        of New York, NY

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings: 


Theme 12: "NBC LateNight Movie Theme 1979"

     Composers: Leroy Leon Pendarvis, Jr. (BMI) and
                Joy Carol Sicurella (BMI)

     1998 Publisher: Living Music, Inc. (BMI)
                        c/o EMI Blackwood Music Publishing
                        of New York, NY

     Composition Date: 1979

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:

     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
     THEMEs in the 1980's have been often part of a "promotion music
     package" coordinated with the Fall Season promotion campaign;
     written by "jingle" companies who produce such packages. These
     promotional campaigns have names as follows:
TV Season Promotional Campaign Slogan
1978 - 1979NB-See Us!
1979 - 1980Proud As a Peacock
1980 - 1981Proud As a Peacock II
1981 - 1982Our Pride Is Showing
1982 - 1983Just Watch Us Now!
1983 - 1984Be There
1984 - 1985Let's All Be There
1985 - 1986Let's All Be There II
1986 - 1987Come Home To NBC
1987 - 1988Come Home To The Best
1988 - 1989Come Home To The Best...Only on NBC
1989 - 1990NBC - The Place To Be
Composer/publisher details of the movie THEMES based on these promotional music campaigns are incomplete for the years 1980 - present time. The following are a few that have been identified:


Theme 13: "Movie of the Week Theme (from the 1979 'Proud as a Peacock' promotion campaign)"

    [aka: "NBC Movie of the Week Theme"]
    [Probable dates of use: 1979 - 81]

     Composers: Joey E. Levine (ASCAP) and
                Christopher John Palmaro (ASCAP)

     Original Publishers: Schwow Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
                         of New York, NY

    [as per copyright form, "creation date"]:
     Composition Date: 1979

    [filed as "Proud as a Peacock"]:
     Copyright Date: June 4, 1979; PAu-109-921.
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 14: Movie Theme (from the 1981 'Our Pride is Showing' promotion campaign)"

    [Probable dates of use: 1981 - 83

     National Broadcasting Company, claimant; 
     Sherman & Kahan Associates, Inc., employer for hire.]

     Composer: Gerry Sherman (ASCAP) [aka in ASCAP DB: "Garry Sherman"]

     Original Publishers: Sherman & Kahan Associates, Inc. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publishers: EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
                        of New York, NY

    [as per copyright form, "creation date"]:
     Composition Date: 1981

    [as "Our Pride is Showing"]:
     Copyright Date: July 15, 1982; SR-44-767.
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 15 (1984 - 1986): "Movie Theme (from the 'Let's All Be There' promotion campaign)"

    [Alternate ASCAP titles are...
     aka: "Let's All Be There (NBC Promo)" by David Lubell Buskin 
     aka: "NBC Promo (Be There)" by Rob Mounsey;
     Probable dates of use: 1984 - 86;
     
     National Broadcasting Company, copyright claimant and 
     employer for hire]

     Composers: music by David Lubell Buskin (ASCAP), and
                arranged by Rob Mounsey (ASCAP)

     Original Publishers: Spectacular Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

     1998 Publishers: [none found...but probably:]
                      EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
                      c/o EMI Music Publishing of
                      New York, NY

    [as per copyright form, "creation date"]:
     Composition Date: 1984

    [filed as "Let's All Be There (1984)"]:
     Copyright Date: July 17, 1987; PA-341-174.
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:


Theme 16 (1987 - 1990): "Movie Theme (from the 'Come Home To N B C' promotion campaign)"

    [Alternate ASCAP title 
     aka: "Come Home to NBC (NBC Promo)" [no composer listed];
     
     NOTE: There was also an ASCAP credit for David Lubell Buskin 
     under the title "Come On Home 1987 (NBC)"...so it's possible
     that he and arranger Rob Mounsey were involved in expanding
     this package since the style of orchestration of the Movie
     THEME is very similar to the 1984 package...but only the 
     two composers below (part of "The Landau Music Group" of
     Topanga, CA) are credited on the copyright below...]

    [Probable dates of use: 1987 - 89]

     Composers: Russ Mitchell Landau (ASCAP) and
                Michael Kessler (not affiliated)

     2001 Publishers: [none found...but probably:]
                      EMI April Music, Inc. (ASCAP),
                      c/o EMI Music Publishing of
                      New York, NY

    [as per copyright form, "creation date"]:
     Composition Date: 1987

     Copyright Date [as "Come Home To N B C"]: 
                     March 25, 1987; PAu-944-810.
     Recordings:


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