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Top Ten TV Tunes from the 50’s and 60’s that you can’t get out of your head - featured image
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Top Ten TV Tunes from the 50’s and 60’s that you can’t get out of your head

Australian television turns 60 this year.

I don't remember its introduction in 1956 - my family couldn't afford a TV then, but I do remember these classic TV tunes of the fifties and sixties – those theme songs and jingles you can't get out of your head if you're a Baby Boomer.

Guest Contribution by: Derham Groves, University of Melbourne

In 1984, I lived in the USA. Until I found a place of my own, I bunked with an American friend who was about the same age as me. Our main topic of conversation was 1960s television. Siblings Lying On Rug While Watching Television At Home

Even though he had grown up in Minneapolis and I had grown up in Geelong, we had both watched many of the same TV shows as kids: Circus Boy (1956–1958), Have Gun — Will Travel (1957–1963), My Favourite Martian (1963–1966), My Mother the Car (1965–1966), The adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1954–1959), The Whirlybirds (1957–1960) – the list went on and on.

Australian television turns 60 this year.

After years of anticipating its arrival, Sydney and Melbourne finally got it late in 1956, while the other capital cities had to wait even longer for it.

Like Australian television, I also turn 60 this year.

Watching TV is a significant part of my collective memory.

Not merely watching TV programs like Hopalong Cassidy (1952–1954), The Mickey Mouse Club (1955–1958) and The Tarax Show (1957–1970), but watching them while drinking a glass of milk and eating chocolate-coated Tee Vee Snacks.

Why did I become an architect?

The answer is the oddball architect Wilbur Post (played by Alan Young) in the TV sitcom Mister Ed (1958–1966).

As a 17-year old working class boy in search of a career, it seemed to me that Wilbur had it all: a pet talking horse, a pretty blonde wife, a modern ranch style house, his best friend as a neighbour, and – to top it off – he worked from home (his office was located in Mister Ed’s barn).

Why did I become an architect
 Alan Young had it pretty good in Mister Ed (1958). MGM Television

My 30-year-old son doesn’t look back on his early TV viewing experiences with quite the same fondness as I do on mine.

Why is this?  

I suspect because television was no longer a novelty when he was growing up.

His feelings about computer games are probably more akin to mine about television.

Indeed, he named his daughter after a 1990 George Lucas computer game.

I am frequently horrified by the amount of useless information stored in my brain.

I occasionally find myself singing this little ditty from The Tarax show: “Who’s that peeping round the corner? Not Jack Sprat or Little Tommy Horner."

Many others also have this ability to recall songs from their TV past.

Here, for what it’s worth, are my top ten irritatingly memorable TV commercials, jingles and themes.

77 Sunset Strip

How could an address set to music be so catchy? Private eye Stuart Baily (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) was the epitome of cool sophistication, while car park attendant Kookie (Edd Byrnes) was a proto-hipster.

The Addams Family

The Addams Family TV Show Opening 1964

The “mysterious and kooky” Addams family was a welcome antidote to the host of seemingly perfect American families on TV during the 1950s and 60s, such as the Nelsons (The adventures of Ozzie and Harriet), the Cleavers (Leave it to Beaver) and the Stones (The Donna Reed show).

The Adventures of Superman

Adventures of Superman Season One Opening Credits

No one could burst through a Styrofoam brick wall quite as convincingly as George Reeves' Superman. And who — of a certain age — cannot recite the Superman mantra word for word?

The Adventures of Robin Hood

This line from the theme song says it all: “Feared by the bad, loved by the good, Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood."

Cannonball

Intro - Cannonball

Who doesn’t love a TV series with a pair of long haul truckers for heroes? Hum the Cannonball theme song next time you’re stuck in traffic.

‘Dr. McKenzies’ Menthoids’ commercial

Long after it has disappeared from supermarket shelves, the goateed “doctor” with a Broad Scottish accent continues to annoyingly spell-out his arthritis cure in my brain: “M-E-N, T-H, O-I, D-S.”

‘Mortein’ commercial

Classic Louie the Fly commercial

Before Bryce Courtenay began writing blockbusters, this is what he did.

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp

Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Intro

This is yet another catchy biographical theme song. American actor Hugh O’Brian visited Melbourne in 1960 to bring the famous lawman he played in the TV series to the stage at the Princess Theatre.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

THE MAN FROM UNCLE Season One Long Opening

This has to be one the best opening sequences for a TV series ever made. As a 12-year old, I wanted to be as cool as secret agent Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn).

The Mickey Mouse Club

THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB 1960's INTRO

This theme song became the anthem of the baby boomer generation. Don’t believe me? Look at the chilling ending to Stanley Kubrick’s anti-Vietnam War film Full Metal Jacket.

 


Derham Groves, Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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About Michael is a director of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.
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