The TOS Opening Credits/Theme

[Spock's Barber]

I think that the TOS opening credits and theme music are one of the classics of television history, but how would you judge this TOS title sequence to other shows of the same era, such as Hawaii 5-0, Wild, Wild West, etc. etc.? Better, Same or.......?

 

[Michael]

It's definitely amoung the most memorable of opening credits for a TV show of its era. The Bossa Nova music, the Shatner voice-over and the montage of the Enterprise swooping by the camera are just so iconic. But the Outer Limits with its Control Voice and minimalist oscillograph visuals and the Twilight Zone with that theme and the eerie symbols are equally as iconic. Musically I think the theme of The Time Tunnel was somewhat cooler, though, because it's more upbeat and urgent. Bonanza's burning map is pretty iconic, too. And I love the animated opening sequences of I Dream of Jeannie, Lost in Space and Bewitched. And who can forget the classic opening credits of the original Mission: Impossible?!

 

[Spock's Barber]

It's definitely amoung the most memorable of opening credits for a TV show of its era. The Bossa Nova music, the Shatner voice-over and the montage of the Enterprise swooping by the camera are just so iconic. But the Outer Limits with its Control Voice and minimalist oscillograph visuals and the Twilight Zone with that theme and the eerie symbols are equally as iconic. Musically I think the theme of The Time Tunnel was somewhat cooler, though, because it's more upbeat and urgent. Bonanza's burning map is pretty iconic, too. And I love the animated opening sequences of I Dream of Jeannie, Lost in Space and Bewitched. And who can forget the classic opening credits of the original Mission: Impossible?!

Great post! You brought up some shows that I never thought of.

 

[urbandefault]

And Gilligan's Island . . .

Too bad broadcast tv has tossed aside the creative opening sequences in order to stuff in more commercials.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Hmmmmm.......'I Spy' and 'Man From Uncle' had cool openings, too. But I still favor TOS.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

I've always thought The Six Million Dollar Man had one of the coolest intros around.

 

[Green Shirt]

STAR TREK is above average.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE is damn good, second-place in my mind.

The all-time best: absolutely 100 percent HAWAII FIVE-O. So great and so satisfying, I always turn it off right after the credits. No point in going downhill.

Agreed. Especially the couple of episodes where someone lets out a blood curdling scream which carries over into the beginning of the credits. Two eps I remember doing this are the one with the undercover guy being killed by crates dumped off a forklift. The other is a lady coming across a poker game where the players were all shot up. Great stuff.

BTW, my favorite version of the Star Trek theme is the early first season one.

 

[UnknownSample]

Best may be Wild Wild West, amazing music and graphic idea.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Best may be Wild Wild West, amazing music and graphic idea.

In the early episode openings, the cartoon lady with the knife is punched by the cowboy. Later in the series she just falls back after being kissed.

 

[UnknownSample]

In the early episode openings, the cartoon lady with the knife is punched by the cowboy. Later in the series she just falls back after being kissed.

Yes, my sister really considered that a cop-out, or patronizing, having a female villain defeated by being kissed and swooning...

 

[Spock's Barber]

Yes, my sister really considered that a cop-out, or patronizing, having a female villain defeated by being kissed and swooning...

The first time I saw the modified opening, I remember thinking "What happened?" I was too young to understand that he 'knocked her out' with a kiss.

 

[Esteban]

All good choices. But let's not forget the British shows:
"Man in A Suitcase"
"The Avengers"
"UFO"
"The Prisoner"

That said, I give the nod to "Hawaii Five-O", not just for the Morton Stevens music, but for the Reza S Badiyi-edited opening.

 

[Spock's Barber]

All good choices. But let's not forget the British shows:
"Man in A Suitcase"
"The Avengers"
"UFO"
"The Prisoner"

That said, I give the nod to "Hawaii Five-O", not just for the Morton Stevens music, but for the Reza S Palivi-edited opening.

The pilot episode for H/5-0 has an extended opening sequence that is really cool!

 

[Ssosmcin]

All good choices. But let's not forget the British shows:
"Man in A Suitcase"
"The Avengers"
"UFO"
"The Prisoner".

Let's not forget Department S and The Champions. IF you want to include the 70's, Space:1999 had great opening credits for both years. The Persuaders and The Protectors also.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (season 4) and Land of the Giants (season 2) and Lost in Space (season 3) were some of my favorite opening credits ever.

The Ghost and Mrs Muir was fabulous for the music alone.

 

[BK613]

I'd throw some of Hanna-Barbara's prime time 60s show in the mix as well. The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, etc.

 

[Galileo7]

love these:

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John Williams season 3 score:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp1bEpmmGMs

 

[BeatleJWOL]

But let's not forget the British shows

And you forgot this?

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[Ssosmcin]

I'd throw some of Hanna-Barbara's prime time 60s show in the mix as well. The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, etc.

The Herculoids had a GREAT opening. Actually, it had two, but one was more serious than the other.

This one...

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[Spock's Barber]

TOS is still my favorite, but the opening for 'The Invaders' is a close second.

 

[Grant]

In the early episode openings, the cartoon lady with the knife is punched by the cowboy. Later in the series she just falls back after being kissed.

Nope, the reverse.