Suspense (dramatic anthology)
(CBS Primetime, 1949 - 1954, broadcast live;
CBS Primetime, 1964, filmed episodes with host Sebastian Cabot)
[The dramatic series originated on CBS radio, where it ran from
1942 - 1962; It was adapted for TV -- first as a live series
produced and directed by Bob Stevens from CBS' New York studios;
and then as a short-lived filmed anthology series under the
same title, introduced by Sebastian Cabot]
Theme 1: "Suspense Theme"
[This is the primary radio THEME used for years,
which has also been verified as the Main Title on TV,
although in a shorter arrangement than on radio...
On radio, this series used a medium-sized studio orchestra
including a "Harmonium" pump organ, chimes, winds and
strings. But on TV, according to "TV's Biggest Hits"
by Jon Burlingame, the series began by using only a live
organist for underscoring...In "TV Theme Soundtrack Directory"
by Craig Pattillo performance credit was given to Hank Sylvern;
Since Hank Sylvern was a composer but also an organist, and
Pattillo often lists the "performer" rather than the composer,
this may explain the Pattillo credit of Sylvern for the THEME,
which was verified as a Bernard Herrmann composition at the
CBS-TV Collection at UCLA Music Department Special Collections]
Composer: Bernard Herrmann (ASCAP/BMI)
Original Publisher: Broude Brothers, Limited (ASCAP)
1998 Publisher: Broude Brothers, Limited (ASCAP)
Creation Date: 1942
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
Theme 2: "New Suspense Closing"
[above is the actual title on the manuscript of this THEME
in the CBS Collection at UCLA Dept. of Special Collections;
ASCAP title variations...
aka: "Suspense Cues";
This was used as a Closing THEME on radio during the years
when Autolite sponsored it; and may possibly have been used
on TV as an End Credits THEME, but this is under investigation.
The tune is a Moraweck original, but very similar to Prokofiev's
"March from 'The Love For Three Oranges'"]
Composer: Lucien Alfred E. Moraweck (French SACEM/ASCAP/BMI)
1978 Publisher: April Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
1999 Publisher: Aspenfair Music Inc./Special Account (ASCAP)
c/o CBS, Inc.
New York, NY
Copyright Date:
Renewal Date:
Recordings:
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