Maverick (comedy western, starring James Garner)
(ABC Primetime, 1957 - 1962)
[The original series "Maverick" from Warner Brothers Television
had intended to feature one character named Bret Maverick played
by James Garner. But when when production of this novel new series
began to lag behind schedule, Warner Brothers came up with a novel
solution: they introduced a new character around whom alternate
week episodes could be produced. The character was a brother
named Bart Maverick played by Jack Kelly. Having done this out
of desperation, the secondary brother was also another device
producers used in varying the series since he could also show
up unexpectedly, and some episodes could even have both.
Since the device of the brother was a fun ingredient, producers
even introduced an English cousin "Beau Maverick" played by James
Bond actor (before he played Bond) -- Roger Moore -- who made
several appearances.
The episodes featuring Garner were the most popular and he was
to become the "star" of the series -- Bret was a gambler who was
a coward in a gunfight, and a ladies man with charm who could
try to talk or con his way out of trouble instead of use a gun.
Garner left the series the year before its final season which
was renamed "The New Maverick" and featured brother Bart Maverick
played by Jack Kelly in all episodes during 1961 - 1962.
After this successful series ran its course, there were not one,
but TWO short-lived attempts to recapture the magic formula of
this western with its classic charm and wit. They included the
"Young Maverick" on CBS (1979 - 1980) starring Charles Frank, and
"Bret Maverick" on NBC (1981 - 1982) in which James Garner reprised
his classic role. This last series was also re-run during the 1990
season on NBC.]
Theme (for the original ABC "Maverick" series):
"Maverick"
[aka: "Maverick T V Theme", and "Maverick (Theme)";
Theme collector Mark Koldys reports that the "B" theme motif
("Riverboat ring your bell") was heard in a background cue of
the 1956 feature film "The Lone Ranger" which was also scored by
David Buttolph -- who apparently thought well enough of this
tune to recycle it as part of this Main Title/End Credit THEME.]
Composers: music by David Buttolph (ASCAP)
[professional name of James David Buttolph, Jr.]; with
lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Original Publisher: M. Witmark & Sons (ASCAP)
1998 Publisher: M. Witmark & Sons (ASCAP)
c/o Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
of Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date: Apr. 21, 1958; EP 118 635.
Renewal Date: Feb. 3, 1986; RE-284-530.
Recordings:
Theme 2 (for CBS's 1979 "Young
Maverick" series): "Young Maverick"
[an alternate title for "Young Maverick Cues" listed in ASCAP;
This is based upon the "Maverick" Theme #1 by David Buttolph
above in a quasi-hippie "soft rock" arrangement with some
extended cadences and codas, etc.]
Adapter/Arranger: Lee Elwood Holdridge (ASCAP)
Original Publisher: W B Music Corp. (ASCAP)
2002 Publisher: W B Music Corp. (ASCAP)
c/o Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., of
Los Angeles, CA
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Theme 3 (for NBC's 1980"Bret Maverick"
series): "Ever, Never Lovin' You (Theme from 'Bret Maverick')"
[above is the title as filed for copyright in 1982; the song
"Ever, Never Lovin' You" became a million-selling country hit
song in 1981, as sung by co-writer Ed Bruce]
Composers: William E. ("Ed") Bruce (BMI),
Patsy Ann Bruce (BMI),
and Glenn Ray (ASCAP)
[pseudonym of Glenn Ray McGuirt]
Original Publisher: Tree Music Company (BMI), and
Sugarplum Music Company (ASCAP)
2002 Publisher: SONY/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)
of Nashville, TN; and
Other Publishers (ASCAP)
[As a 45rpm sound recording published on July 29, 1982]:
Copyright Date: Sep. 10, 1982; SR-38-683.
Renewal Date:
[Date of publication: September 29, 1981; filing date]:
Copyright Date: July 5, 1983; PA-178-023.
Recordings: 45rpm single
M C A Records MCA-52109 (1982)
Copyright 1960 - 2018 by The Media
Management Group. All Rights Reserved