Most haunting TV themes

[ecofugal]

hi all,
thinking back on UK telly in the 70's there are some theme tunes that you just cannot get out of your head.

heres my list of the most haunting TV tunes

1. Robinson Crusoe - the french b/w serial with a Robinson looking like a young David Bowie.

2. The Picture Box - children's morning program - theme was played over a sort of musical box that revolved.

3. The persuaders - Roger Moore and Tony Curtis series

4. Belle and Sebastian - b/w series set in the Alps (i think)

5. The White horses - lovely theme -another b/w series from eastern Europe (i think)

[Derekflint]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

The only one of those that I know is Picture Box - how right you are!

It's the kind of thing that you would hear in a horror movie with a clown or circus - just as some creepy barker encourages someone to step right up. Beats Tales of the Unexpected - I always found that annoying - felt out of date back then!

I would have to add Book Tower to that list - always gave off a sense of dread.

Oddly, the last bit of the end credits of Jamie and the Magic Torch - the suggestion that normal life was sad (in kid terms 'rubbish') is something that annoys me today - psychologists would have a field day with that show today.

[Richard1978]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Ones I considered freaky when I was young:

The Adventures of Morph

Roobarb

The Original Grange Hill

The Battle Of The Planets

The 1980s update to the Doctor Who theme with the big bang at the end.

[ecofugal]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

if you have not heard robinson crusoe go here
it will play when the page loads
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - 1960's TV Serial: Index

its such a romantic and sentimental piece of music

[ecofugal]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Picture box
i remember the presenter being baby faced and soft spoken. cant think of his name.
yes the tune could put you into a deep trance.

[Marine Boy]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

if you have not heard robinson crusoe go here
it will play when the page loads
The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe - 1960's TV Serial: Index

its such a romantic and sentimental piece of music

It's one of my favourites and would certainly come under the heading of 'haunting', as would the incidental music that went with the series. I also agree with your other choices, especailly 'Belle and Sebastian'.

Your mention of 'The Persuaders' made me think also of 'Randell and Hopkirk Deceased' which had a haunting, spine tingling feel to it.

'Timeslip' perhaps? Or maybe that was just plain scary!

[Marine Boy]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Picture Box was actually a schools programme and the presenter was Alan Rothwell, who'd had earlier success on Coronation Street.

[Derekflint]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Ulysses 31.

Not the theme - oh my no - the music within the episodes could be really foreboding.
Besides, the English translation of the French original is diabolical.
'Je suis Nono, le petit robo, l'ami d'Ulysse'
Becomes:
'I am Nono, a small robot you know, friend of Ulysses'

Utter spew.

[ClaudineJones]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Noah's Castle. Anyone remember that? It's on the B side of (Mike Reid's) Runaround. Brief end theme here Noahs Castle - Ending Theme Song

The Persuaders was a good one The Persuaders Theme Song

[Derekflint]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

It's one of my favourites and would certainly come under the heading of 'haunting', as would the incidental music that went with the series. I also agree with your other choices, especailly 'Belle and Sebastian'.

Your mention of 'The Persuaders' made me think also of 'Randell and Hopkirk Deceased' which had a haunting, spine tingling feel to it.

'Timeslip' perhaps? Or maybe that was just plain scary!

How could I have forgotten Randall and Hopkirk!!!!!

[rossobantam]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

hi all,
thinking back on UK telly in the 70's there are some theme tunes that you just cannot get out of your head.

heres my list of the most haunting TV tunes

1. Robinson Crusoe - the french b/w serial with a Robinson looking like a young David Bowie.

2. The Picture Box - children's morning program - theme was played over a sort of musical box that revolved.

3. The persuaders - Roger Moore and Tony Curtis series

4. Belle and Sebastian - b/w series set in the Alps (i think)

5. The White horses - lovely theme -another b/w series from eastern Europe (i think)

eco you must be my long-lost twin......apart from Picture Box (which is cool by the way) EVERY other theme you mention I have posted before as my favs (some several times)

I am seriously spooked out!!
Robinson Crusoe et al WAS the 70's Summer Holidays for me (how I cried when his dog died)

Belle et Sebastian
YouTube - Belle and Sebastian TV theme tune

[ecofugal]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

hi rossobantam
i love those themes.
Robinson crusoe is one of the most heart wrenching themes ever.
the incidental music is lovely too.

by the way what was Picture Box about.
all i remember is the tune and the presenters face.

i have a scrapbook blog which is about illustration and movies and retro stuff
check it out here

Ecofugal

[Marine Boy]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

Re: Picturebox,

As far as I recall, Alan Rothwell used to sit in a chair and introduce a short film. Can't recall if it was a piece of fiction or fact based.

But rossobantum will certainly know.

[rossobantam]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

TV Cream: PACKET OF THREE to PICTURE BOX

described in tvcreams' own inimitable style

[Derekflint]

Re: Most haunting TV themes

To quote TV Cream:
"catchphrase: Hello!"

Priceless.