Showing posts with label Cloris Leachman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloris Leachman. Show all posts
February 9, 2026
September 29, 2018
Tales of Tomorrow & Sergei Prokofiev
In the early fifties my family bought a TV from Montgomery Wards and I remember watching television on Guy Place.
The living room would be jammed with the whole family, mom, Lucy, Ben, etc (links below). The adults would have the couch and chairs while us kids would sit on the floor. I was VERY near-sighted so I would sit directly under the TV which had a 16-inch screen; this was eNORmous for that time.
Guy Place, San Francisco, California
The living room would be jammed with the whole family, mom, Lucy, Ben, etc (links below). The adults would have the couch and chairs while us kids would sit on the floor. I was VERY near-sighted so I would sit directly under the TV which had a 16-inch screen; this was eNORmous for that time.
1950-1959 Airline (Wards)
(05WG-3039C) 16" console
I have terrific memories of the shows we watched: I Love Lucy (of course), The Twilight Zone, etc. But my VERY first memory of watching was, Tales of Tomorrow.
This show is forever burned in my memory.
I recall the intro theme for the show vividly! It would raise the hairs on the back of my neck and what few hairs I had on my arms; it was years before I discovered who the composer was.
The theme music was written by the Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev, for his 1938 ballet in four acts, Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64. The very short piece of music opens the segment, Montagues And Capulets (links below).
I recall the intro theme for the show vividly! It would raise the hairs on the back of my neck and what few hairs I had on my arms; it was years before I discovered who the composer was.
The theme music was written by the Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev, for his 1938 ballet in four acts, Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64. The very short piece of music opens the segment, Montagues And Capulets (links below).
Tales of Tomorrow was an American anthology science fiction series that was performed and broadcast live, mistakes and all as hysterically related by lighting designer, Imero Fiorentino (link below). It had a cheesy electronic organ accompaniment at times (common for the period). It was aired on the ABC network from 1951 to 1953.
The series covered stories such as Frankenstein, starring Lon Chaney, Jr., 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Thomas Mitchell as Captain Nemo, and many other stories featuring a fantastic array of performers: Boris Karloff, Brian Keith, Lee J. Cobb, Veronica Lake, Rod Steiger, Bruce Cabot, Franchot Tone, Gene Lockhart, Walter Abel, Cloris Leachman, Leslie Nielsen, Paul Newman and many others (complete list @ link below).
Tales of Tomorrow had many similarities to the later Twilight Zone which also covered one of the same stories (What You Need). In total it ran for eighty-five 30-minute episodes. It was called “the best science-fiction fare on TV today” by Paul Fairman, editor of If.
The series covered stories such as Frankenstein, starring Lon Chaney, Jr., 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea starring Thomas Mitchell as Captain Nemo, and many other stories featuring a fantastic array of performers: Boris Karloff, Brian Keith, Lee J. Cobb, Veronica Lake, Rod Steiger, Bruce Cabot, Franchot Tone, Gene Lockhart, Walter Abel, Cloris Leachman, Leslie Nielsen, Paul Newman and many others (complete list @ link below).
Tales of Tomorrow had many similarities to the later Twilight Zone which also covered one of the same stories (What You Need). In total it ran for eighty-five 30-minute episodes. It was called “the best science-fiction fare on TV today” by Paul Fairman, editor of If.
If magazine
The idea for this science fiction television series was developed by Theodore Sturgeon and Mort Abrahamson, together with the membership of the Science Fiction League of America. The original title was planned as Tomorrow is Yours.
A deal was struck with photographer Richard Gordon and writer George Foley, giving the
producers of the show first choice of any of the 2,000 short stories and
13 novels by the various members of the League.
Tales of Tomorrow was the first dramatized showcase for several authors, Arthur C. Clarke; etc. Other early science fiction writers whose work was reflected in the series included Fredric Brown (The Last Man on Earth and Age of Peril), Philip Wylie (Blunder) who with Edwin Balmer wrote When Worlds Collide, C. M. Kornbluth (The Little Black Bag) and Stanley G. Weinbaum
(The Miraculous Serum). The show was intended for adults; at the
time, most science fiction productions were targeted to children. The
producers wanted to blend mystery and science fiction, and emphasize
fast pacing and suspense.
Tales of Tomorrow episodes, with ads included, were recorded on Kinescope which can be seen on YouTube (links below).
Tales of Tomorrow episodes, with ads included, were recorded on Kinescope which can be seen on YouTube (links below).
Viewfinder links:
Sergei Prokofiev
Bernard E. Simonson, Jr.
Christine K. Simonson
Lucy Cadena-Jazzux
Television
The Twilight Zone
Net links:
IMDb ~ full cast & writing credits
Academy of Television ~ Lighting Director Imero Fiorentino interview
Sci-Fi Wire ~ Remembering the first sci-fi anthology series
YouTube links:
Tales of Tomorrow
~ intro theme music
Sergei Prokofiev ~ Romeo And Juliet - Montagues And Capulets
~ The Crystal Egg ( H.G. Wells )
~ What you need (1952)
Tales of Tomorrow episodes
"Stuff happens!"
~ Imero Fiorentino
To the family and especially Lucy!
Styrous® ~ Saturday, September 29, 2018
August 30, 2016
20,000 Vinyl LPs 65: Young Frankenstein will eternally be Gene Wilder
I was very saddened to hear that one of my favorite comedians, Gene Wilder, died yesterday, August 29, 2016. He was 83.
I loved every film of his I saw but my two most favorite comedies were Young Frankenstein (1974) and The Producers (1968), both with Wilder.
I loved every film of his I saw but my two most favorite comedies were Young Frankenstein (1974) and The Producers (1968), both with Wilder.
Young Frankenstein soundtrack
John Morris – Dialogue & Music From Original Soundtrack Of "Young Frankenstein"
Label: ABC Records – ABCD-870
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Score, Soundtrack
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A1 - Main Title (Theme From "Young Frankenstein") written by J. Morris* - 2:54
A2 - That's Fron-Kon-Steen! - 3:15
A3 - Train Ride To Transylvania/The Doctor Meets Igor - 2:20
A4 - Frau Blucher - 2:24
A5 - Grandfather's Private Library - 3:20
A6 - It's Alive! - 3:25
A7 - He Was My Boyfriend - 3:25
Side 2:
B1 - My Name Is Frankenstein! - 3:20
B2 - Introduction/Puttin' On The Ritz written by I. Berlin* - 3:40
B3 - A Riot Is An Ugly Thing - 0:54
B4 - He's Broken Loose - 6:20
B5 - The Monster Talks - 1:51
B6 - Wedding Night/End Title - 1:12
B7 - Theme From "Young Frankenstein”, arranged & conducted by Michael Omartian, performed by Rhythm Heritage, produced by Michael Omartian & Steve Barri, written by J. Morris* - 2:54
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – ABC Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – ABC Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – 20th Century Fox Corporation
Published By – 20th Century Music Corp.
Published By – Irving Berlin Music
Published By – Warner Bros. Music
Credits:
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor – John Morris
Coordinator [Album Coordination] – Lloyd Leipzig
Mixed By [Production Mixer] – Gene Cantamessa
Mixed By [Re-recording Mixers] – Howard Gale, Phil Kaye
Producer [Produced For Record By] – Steve Barri
Text By [Photo Captions By] – Julie Barri, Steve Barri
Voice Actor [Cast, Elderly Announcer] – Norbert Schiller
Voice Actor [Cast, Elizabeth] – Madeline Kahn
Voice Actor [Cast, Frau Blucher] – Cloris Leachman
Voice Actor [Cast, German Boy] – Rick Norman (4)
Voice Actor [Cast, Herr Falkstein] – Richard Haydn
Voice Actor [Cast, Igor] – Marty Feldman (2)
Voice Actor [Cast, Inga] – Teri Garr
Voice Actor [Cast, Inspector Kemp] – Kenneth Mars
Voice Actor [Cast, Medical Student] – Danny Goldman
Voice Actor [Cast, The Monster] – Peter Boyle (4)
Voice Actor [Cast, Train Conductor] – Rolfe Sedan
Voice Actor [Cast, Young Dr. Frankenstein] – Gene Wilder (2)
Written-By [Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life] – R. Johnson Young*, V. Herbert*
Notes:
A Mel Brooks Film
A1, B7: 20th Century Music Corp. (ASCAP)
B2: Irving Berlin Music (ASCAP)
B7: Produced for Golden Clover Productions
"Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life" Warner Bros. Music (ASCAP)
"Battle Hymn Of The Republic" (PD)
Special Thanks To: Marv Helfer, Michael Herns, Len Engel For Their Assistance
Printed in U.S.A.
Notes not on release:
B7 also known as "Theme From "Young Frankenstein" (Disco Version)"
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Label, Side A): ABCD-870-A
Matrix / Runout (Label, Side B): ABCD-870-B
Rights Society: ASCAP
Label: ABC Records – ABCD-870
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Score, Soundtrack
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A1 - Main Title (Theme From "Young Frankenstein") written by J. Morris* - 2:54
A2 - That's Fron-Kon-Steen! - 3:15
A3 - Train Ride To Transylvania/The Doctor Meets Igor - 2:20
A4 - Frau Blucher - 2:24
A5 - Grandfather's Private Library - 3:20
A6 - It's Alive! - 3:25
A7 - He Was My Boyfriend - 3:25
Side 2:
B1 - My Name Is Frankenstein! - 3:20
B2 - Introduction/Puttin' On The Ritz written by I. Berlin* - 3:40
B3 - A Riot Is An Ugly Thing - 0:54
B4 - He's Broken Loose - 6:20
B5 - The Monster Talks - 1:51
B6 - Wedding Night/End Title - 1:12
B7 - Theme From "Young Frankenstein”, arranged & conducted by Michael Omartian, performed by Rhythm Heritage, produced by Michael Omartian & Steve Barri, written by J. Morris* - 2:54
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – ABC Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – ABC Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – 20th Century Fox Corporation
Published By – 20th Century Music Corp.
Published By – Irving Berlin Music
Published By – Warner Bros. Music
Credits:
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor – John Morris
Coordinator [Album Coordination] – Lloyd Leipzig
Mixed By [Production Mixer] – Gene Cantamessa
Mixed By [Re-recording Mixers] – Howard Gale, Phil Kaye
Producer [Produced For Record By] – Steve Barri
Text By [Photo Captions By] – Julie Barri, Steve Barri
Voice Actor [Cast, Elderly Announcer] – Norbert Schiller
Voice Actor [Cast, Elizabeth] – Madeline Kahn
Voice Actor [Cast, Frau Blucher] – Cloris Leachman
Voice Actor [Cast, German Boy] – Rick Norman (4)
Voice Actor [Cast, Herr Falkstein] – Richard Haydn
Voice Actor [Cast, Igor] – Marty Feldman (2)
Voice Actor [Cast, Inga] – Teri Garr
Voice Actor [Cast, Inspector Kemp] – Kenneth Mars
Voice Actor [Cast, Medical Student] – Danny Goldman
Voice Actor [Cast, The Monster] – Peter Boyle (4)
Voice Actor [Cast, Train Conductor] – Rolfe Sedan
Voice Actor [Cast, Young Dr. Frankenstein] – Gene Wilder (2)
Written-By [Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life] – R. Johnson Young*, V. Herbert*
Notes:
A Mel Brooks Film
A1, B7: 20th Century Music Corp. (ASCAP)
B2: Irving Berlin Music (ASCAP)
B7: Produced for Golden Clover Productions
"Ah, Sweet Mystery Of Life" Warner Bros. Music (ASCAP)
"Battle Hymn Of The Republic" (PD)
Special Thanks To: Marv Helfer, Michael Herns, Len Engel For Their Assistance
Printed in U.S.A.
Notes not on release:
B7 also known as "Theme From "Young Frankenstein" (Disco Version)"
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Label, Side A): ABCD-870-A
Matrix / Runout (Label, Side B): ABCD-870-B
Rights Society: ASCAP
Dance on forever, Gene!
Net links:
Gene Wilder Filmography
Young Frankenstein (1974) - IMDb
New York Times obituary
Variety obituary
Steve Mollman Why “Abby Normal”
Cloris Leachman On Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder Filmography
Young Frankenstein (1974) - IMDb
New York Times obituary
Variety obituary
Steve Mollman Why “Abby Normal”
Cloris Leachman On Gene Wilder
Styrous® ~ Tuesday, August 30, 2016
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