The Television Theme

We have all heard them and become familiar with the opening cue of our favorite television shows. The theme songs to the shows we have grown to love are what have made it familiar to us and is what makes the show memorable.

 

According to Wikipedia, theme music is a piece often written specifically for a radio, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the intro, during the title sequence and/or ending credits. Also according to Wikipedia, the purpose of a theme song is to establish a mood for the show and to generate an audible cue for that specific program.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

When you pause and think about some of the great television shows of all time, what immediately pops into your head? The theme song. Think Friends, I love Lucy, Law & Order: SVU, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, etc.

 

Themes have become the subject of text message tones, call alerts, parodies and cult phenomena. They are golden. Everyone loves a good theme that reminds them of their favorite show, movie or even a fond memory.

 

Perhaps among the  most memorable, and certainly the first of its kind, The Brady Bunch theme from 1969, became the first television theme to make use of the opening credits and theme to summarize the television show. Here are the lyrics:

Here's the story of a lovely lady
who was bringing up three very lovely girls
all of them had hair of gold, like their mother.
the youngest one in curls.

Here's the story of a man named Brady
Who was living with three boys of his own.
They were four men living all together
yet they were all alone

Till the one day when the lady met this fellow.
And they knew that it was much more than a hunch,
That this group must somehow form a family,
That's the way we all became the Brady bunch.

The Brady bunch, the Brady bunch.
That's the way we became the Brady bunch.

 

Other shows followed in their footsteps of the narrative theme, like The Partridge Family, The Adams Family and Gilligan's Island. However, most recently, we have seen a switch to using either exclusively instrumental themes (The Walking Dead)  as well as the use of older, popular songs to actively capture the theme of the show like the show, Parenthood, which uses Bob Dylan's "Forever Young".

 

The point is: television themes MAKE the show. They not only add excitement to the start of the show, but they provide a memorable cue and audible start to each episode. How boring would television be without these themes?

 

For your pleasure and leaisure, here are a few of my favorite theme songs from past & present:

• Sons of Anarchy
• Gilmore Girls
• Family Guy
• Miami Vice
• Golden Girls
• Full House
• Modern Family
• Duck Dynasty

Video Credits: YouTube

Information: Dr. Martin's lectures & Wikipedia

The Universal Dynasty

Universal Studios is most known by this generation as the studio that produces 'tons of films.' They are recognized for films varying as widely as the original Dracula, to Jaws, to Ted; all drastically different to say the least. But why is Universal so great? What is it about it that has made it one of the most outstanding film studios in the world?

Universal is part of "The Big Six" conglomerates and is the oldest continuously running studio and the oldest in the United States of America. Founded in 1912 by (mainly) Carl Laemmle, has released more than 3,424 films in its 101 years. That is insane! That's an average of 34 films per year.

Universal's success could be attributed in part to Laemmle's business savvy talent and his creative visionary, but the studio would be little if not nothing if it weren't for the films it released. Amongst the more than 3,000 film titles with Universal's name attached, three films have broken all time box office records: Jaws (1975), E.T: The Extra Terrestrial (1982) and Jurassic Park (1993). Here are a few more notable films born from the masterminds at Universal (a full ist can be found at Wikipedia):

• Phanton of the Opera (1925)
• Dracula (1931)
• Hamlet (1948)
• The Mummy (1959)
• Farenheit 451 (1966)
• The Andromeda Strain (1971)
• Jaws (1975)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band (1978)
• E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
• The Pirates of Penzance (1983)
• Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Apollo 13 (1995)
• Twister (1996)
• Patch Adams (1998)
• American Pie (1999)
• Gladiator (2000)
• The Grinch (2000)
• A Beautiful Mind (2001)
• Bruce Almighty (2003)
• United 93 (2006)
• The Kingdom (2007)
• The Changeling (2008)
• Couple's Retreat (2009)
• Despicable Me (2010)
• The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
• Ted, Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty, Anna Kerinina, Pitch Perfect, The Savages (2012)
• Oblivion, Jurassic Park 3D Re-Release (2013)

These are just a handful of Universal films that are a few of my personal favorites. Ironically, in 1999, my family and I went to visit my aunt and uncle who live in Los Angeles and work in stunts and camera (respectively) for Universal Studios. At the time, my aunt was working as a stunt double on the 2000 adaptation of How The Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carrey. One evening, we went on set and I actually got to walk around the "Whoville" set-climb the swirly stairs, play in the fake snow, 'shop' in Garfinkle's, even sit in Cindy Lou's bedroom! Unfortunately, due to security and disclosure rules, we weren't allowed to take any photos. Nonetheless, that was still one of the highlights of my childhood. I will never forget that feeling of the following Thanksgiving, seeing the set that I had visited just a year before!

 

Because of its success, like any good business, Universal needed to expand. In 1964, Universal Studios Hollywood opened for business; complete with rides and replicas of many of the movies already produced and released by the studio. Naturally, the theme park has evoloved with rides and sets to go along with more recent films and even television shows. In June of 1990, Universal Studios Orlando Resort opened. There you can find themed rides of films like Jaws (recently retired), Jurassic Park, E.T., The Simpsons, Dr. Seuss and most recently (my favorite) The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I can say from personal experience at both of these parks, experiencing it is truly magical. You are literally getting to step inside some of your favorite movies and pretend you are in them. One of the most extravagant rides is the Twister experience, which employs the use of some of the real movie set- complete with explosions, a cyclone, strong winds and a huge sopping rain storm. Most recently, Universal has expanded its theme park business to Osaka, Japan, which opened in May 2001.

 

I am a huge movie buff. If it were culturally and morally respectable, I would sit in a huge comfy chair all day watching film after film after film. It is undeniable that Universal Studios Corportaion has brought us multitudes of films that as a culture, we have enjoyed for decades. The classics will always be classics, but new classics are forming at nearly every release.

 

I think it is safe to say that Universal has formed a 'dynasty' of their own and a name that resonates in households both nation-wide and worldwide, providing entertainment and memory making for individuals and families alike.

Sources:

Photos- Google Images

Information- universalstudios.com & wikipedia.com

Revenge of Shoshanna Dreyfus

Quentin Tarantino is one of the most well known film makers of our generation. Some of his films are questionable (but nonetheless brilliant) while others have deeply rooted messages and amazing plot lines that speak to many generations. My personal favorite and his most acclaimed film is Inglourious Basterds.

Opening in 1941 in Nazi occupied France, the story follows two plots: one with a group of Nazi militants who are out for "Natzi scalps," and Shoshana Dreyfus, a French cinema owner.

During World War 2, Hitler wasn't shy about making his plan known as to what he wanted to schieve and the fact that he eventually planned to take over the world. This was an important time for cinema because it was experiencing rapid growth and worldwide expansion. Countries were deveoping their own individual film industries and militant forces recognized this as a way to push propaganda on supporters, protesters and neutral citizens.

In the film, Shoshanna Dreyfus is a young woman who has taken to cinema as a way for her to cover up her French Jewish heritage. At the beginning of the film, we see her running from the house in which Hanz Landa (a Nazi) has just murdered her entire family on their farm in the French hillside. In chapter three of the film, Shoshanna is shown posting the new film name on the board outside the theatre when she is approached by a Nazi about the use of her theatre to show a propagada film. She soon learns that she will have no choice about whether or not she can show the movie- the same meeting in which she realizes that the same man forcing the use of her business is Hanz Landa who killed her family. Shoshanna decides then and there that she will indeed hold the film viewing but will do it with her own motives.

She is going to lock the Nazi Regime in the theatre and burn it down with all 3,000 rolls of nitrate film that she has stocked away (nitrate film burns three times faster than paper.)

If you havn't seen the film, you should. It is one of the more culturally and historically accurate pieces of Tarantino's work. While I won't spoil the ending, you can find out how Shoshanna's plan panned out in this clip.

While this isn't a completely true story (i.e. we know that Adolf Hitler committed suidcide and unfortunately wasn't, in fact, trapped in a burning theatre and then blown to smitherines by the "Bear Jew"), we also can gain a lot of historical knowledge and valuable insight as to how cinema played into the World War 2 efforts. This wasn't happening just in France or Nazi occupied parts of the world. This was happening even in America! Obviously for more morale purposes, but Frank Capra's Why We Fight was seen as a tremendous benefit to the American war effort and was pushed into theatres across the country by the Commander in Chief of the US.

This film provides a narrative and entertaining look at why and how the cinematic arts influenced and were influenced by the outbreak of the second World War.

There's Something About Silence

Within a decade after the release of the first film featuring 'talkies,' The Jazz Singer (1927), silent films were virtually extinct. But why? People enjoyed listening to what they were seeing- which I totally get. Perhaps its because the roles have virtually been switched: silent films are cool today in 2013, in the same way that talkies were the hot new entertainment in 1927. 

There is something to be said for the enormous talent that is required by the actors of silent film. Take Charlie Chaplin for example- the viewers (of all ages) were able "get" the message of Chaplin's films just by the actions he did, expressions he made and gestures he included with his 'silent dialogue.' Lon Chaney was also able to terrify audiences without words or sound just by his costume, actions and expressions. This one is beautiful; one of my all-time favorites. Sometimes I find myself stuck watching a film where I wish it was silent... I personally think that this day in age, there are actors and actresses that posses absolutely no talent whatsoever. I know that to revert back to silent films is sort of a small huge leap back. 

That's why I appreciate the [recent] film, The Artist  starring Berenice Bejo, Jean Dujardin & Uggie the dog. so much. It took a huge leap of faith to make a completely silent film in the era of technology we live in today, but luckily they were acknowledged and recognized by The Academy and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their achievements.   

We have come such a long way from the conception of cinema, and it is something that those of us desiring to enter into the field should look forward to as well as be proud of. However, I believe that life before sound is something we should cherish and look to as inspiration for truly great works of art. 

Here's a still from the 2011 film, The Artist. 

I think we all know this guy was the real star of the film, though. 

Blog Post #1

I love old films. Give me Turner Classic Movies with a few old black & whites any day. There's just something about the elegance, class and culture of early cinematic works that have an intrigue and mystery about it that drag you back to that era.

Perhaps we can credit this excitement to some of the earliest film stars who defined that we know today as "America's Sweetheart," the Comedian and the "Femme Fatale," to name a few (and some of my own favorites).

America's Sweetheart: That girl that can do no wrong in the eyes of the country's viewership. Then most well known of early cinematic days would by far be Mary Pickford. Her status may be likened to the modern day Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts. Whatever she does, sells.

 

Comedian: Charlie Chaplin- a name everyone is familiar with to even the slightest degree. He defined the epitome of devotion to his career in that he was rarely ever seen out of his goofy, unpredictable character. Today, we may recognize Vince Vaughn or Kevin James in this respect. You may also watch a clip of Chaplin's usual character, here. And one of my personal favorites.

 

 Femme Fatale: the simple definition of the femme fatale is a woman who is so intriguing that she lures a man (or other character-due to modern cultural advances...) into her grip when she then proceeds to harm or fatally wound them. Theda Bara, whose name is actually an anagram for 'Arab Death,' is our first prime example of this character type developed during the first eras of film. Today, one may recognize Angelina Jolie as the best example and recreation of Bara's original.   

Obviously, the early film era produced and defined what we know today as expected characters. It is amazing to me that we still use these stereotypes and molds to put our actors and actresses of today into! Over 100 years later and we are still using these concepts created by some of the earliest cinematic predecessors!

 

 

 

Photographs: Bing Images

Video: Youtube.com

Information: Dr. Martin's lectures