The Incredible Hulk Theme (Version 2)

Here at Musings Of A Sci-Fi Fanatic a real effort is going to be made to bulk up on our classic TV themes from the best and brightest in the science fiction pantheon.

 

 

This writer has been remiss to really highlight these wonderful openers and give them their celebratory due.

 

 

We pick things back up on this front and hope to deliver some of the very best in science fiction theme song openers.

 

 

This is another version of The Incredible Hulk theme from Season One. An alternate, earlier version of the theme for The Incredible Hulk can be found here.

 

 

Hoyt Curtin (1922-2000) & Battle Of The Planets Theme

"... The music of Battle Of The Planets is a significant part of the magic to the appeal of the show. The lovely sound of the harmonies composed by Hoyt Curtin and Bob Sakuma transported the children to a world of rousing adventure and uncanny excitement. When the music was compounded with the show's beautiful animation and dramatic storylines, it proved to be an exhilarating addiction. The organic tonalities of the Battle soundtrack gave it scope, and contributed to the epic storyline's romanticism."

  

-G-Force: Animated- The Official Battle Of The Planets Guidebook (p.60)-

Kicking off both Battle Of The Planets (1978) and Gatchaman (1972) in grand fashion was composer Hoyt Curtin and Bob Sakuma respectively.

Like any unforgettable theme song that does its job and does it right, these themes set the tone for their respective series. Hoyt Curtin (1922-2000) stepped up and in big with his complement to the series for Battle Of The Planets. There isn't a phoned in note to be heard. It's big, bold and memorably brilliant.



The theme song to the series was as powerful, exhilarating and heroically uplifting as they come. The theme itself also speaks volumes about Battle Of The Planets in that the theme actually matched the staying power and original strength of its Japanese counterpart by Sakuma. The Gatchaman theme song, by then young composer Bob Sakuma, was indeed impressive and, equally so, has easily stood the test of time when it comes to theme song classics in its own right. Sakuma relied heavily on horns whereby Curtin turned to synthesizers for a more futuristic appeal. Synthesizers can sometimes prove fatal or date the material wildly, but Curtin managed to walk the line and his theme for Battle Of The Planets holds up remarkably well.



In fact, in designing the theme, Curtin listened to much of the music from Gatchaman before composing his own score which is an approach not always taken. But Curtin was concerned with paying deference to the score of the original composer and wanted to infuse the re-edited Gatchaman series transformed for Battle Of The Planets with compositions that married well to the original Sakuma scoring.

Sandy Frank was also fortunate to land the talents of Curtin who was contracted with Hannah-Barbera producing a long run of terrific theme music to shows like my favorite Jonny Quest (1964-1965) as well as Josie And The Pussycats, Superfriends and other childhood notables like The Flinstones, Top Cat and The Jetsons.



Fortunately for Battle Of The Planets the talent culled for the series resulted in equally stunning music in all its theme song glory establishing a simple narrative setting up the series while also delivering a magnificent theme composition. In the vein of The Incredible Hulk theme opener the narration works for this series too.

For those who enjoy waxing nostalgic here are the few lyrics to the 90 second theme song.

"Battle Of The Planets. G-Force. Five incredible young people with super powers. And watching over them from Center Neptune, 7-Zark-7. Watching, warning against surprise attacks by alien galaxies from beyond space. G-Force. Fearless young orphans protecting Earth's entire galaxy. Always five acting as one. Dedicated. Inseparable. Invincible."

And after the initial episode the opening was modified to a new narration as follows:

"Battle Of The Planets. G-Force. Princess. Tiny. Keyop. Mark. Jason. And watching over them from Center Neptune, their computerized coordinator 7-Zark-7. Watching, warning against surprise attacks by alien galaxies from beyond space. G-Force. Fearless young orphans protecting Earth's entire galaxy. Always five acting as one. Dedicated. Inseparable. Invincible."

As both a fan of Gatchaman and Battle Of The Planets I'm not sure which theme I enjoy more. The fact that I find both to be equally strong speaks to the quality of effort that went into both series. Each theme song sets the tone for the kind of quality production that went into these respective series.

To compare for yourself first listen to the theme for Gatchaman.



And now the theme to kick off the series Battle Of The Planets.  It's also worth noting that the screen scroll doesn't actually get established until Episode 3, The Space Mummy. Before that the logo didn't scroll in Episode 2 and in Episode 1, the logo is altogether different in font.

Ergo Proxy Theme

So I've been relatively immersed in kaiju and anime since roughly July alternating between the two.  Yes, the arrival of Pacific Rim (2013) naturally sent me reeling off in that direction.  Since then there's been no looking back.

 

 

 

Though I have made time for other avenues simply to take a break.  I recently viewed Mark Romanek's Never Let Me Go (2010) and Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain (2006), both exceptional, on the recommendations of fellow readers/writers.  I'm pleased I took a chance on those two powerful sci-fi, human dramas.  They may require a bit of patience but these thoughtful films are both ever so rewarding.

 

On the anime front, I've been jumping into some old school anime, Gatchaman, but also checked out the next two entries in Ergo Proxy (2006) featuring the goth sexy Re-l Mayer.

 

One of my only complaints with the new anime productions is the same complaint I sometimes have for today's live action science fiction.  It's computers.  The CGI effects in today's cinema is sometimes underwhelming.  It's just too damn perfect and polished for its own good and simply can't compare to the gritty practical effects of yesterday.

 

The same goes for the world of anime.  While it's certainly more economical and computers do wonderful things for the visionary, the look of the production is often too clean, sharp and sterile.  This complaint is minor and comes from an old school fan of the hand drawn variety.  It's simply hard to let go of some those deep, dark line drawings that graced everything from Gatchaman to Neon Genesis Evangelion and in between.  That warmth of artistry is absent, but that's the sad reality of today's 2D digital cel animation and 3D computer animation and modelling.  Nevertheless, I embrace both and I'm more than happy to give new and old a chance.  Ergo Proxy is one of those new ones that lured me into its fold.

 

The opening theme song from the series is called Kiri by Japanese alternative rock band Monoral.  I have to admit - I dig it.  Also, Ergo Proxy actually employs Radiohead's Paranoid Android appropriately enough for the closing theme.

 

Enjoy this opening theme to the solid science fiction yarn that is Ergo Proxy.  Also worth noting is the editing and effects used in the making of the opening theme.  Aesthetically it is impressive and does complement the anime quite nicely.

 

The Six Million Dollar Man Theme

In a completely random move I took The Six Million Dollar Man (1974-1978) off ice.  Lee Majors was always the coolest.  There was always something pure and noble about yesterday's heroes.  They may have been less complex but they were dependable and even still Steve Austin wrestles with some inner demons from time to time.

 

Sometimes I am so torn when I actually have free time, the decision to get something going needs to be fairly efficient or the opportunity is missed completely.  Sometimes I'm virtually paralyzed by the overwhelming selection and variety of directions I could go.  Thus, The Six Million Dollar Man - better, stronger, faster pushed its way into the DVD player before I could think too much about it.



Given the sometimes deliberate and slower pacing the series as evidenced in the two pilot films covered here at Musings Of A Sci-Fi Fanatic, I've optioned to do a sweeping short take on the entire series season by season with brief observations on each episode. This approach gives me a little more freedom to enjoy the series a little quicker but also notes some of the highlights rather than spend extensive time on an episode that might not be quite worthy of the extra expenditure of my waning energy.



When we reach that most noteworthy episode we'll take a closer look if required.  In general The Six Million Dollar Man is a lot of fun thanks to Lee Majors and Richard Anderson leading the charge. Even the classic slower pacing of the 1970s series makes for an interesting experience with some terrific ideas concerning man's use of technology in the right and wrong hands.  Often, the government's secret weapon, Steve Austin, The Six Million Dollar Man, is sent to challenge that technology in the hands of evil men and the limits they take it.  Additionally, on a deeper level, Austin comes to terms with his new existence and fate as a living cyborg.



Until I can pull those entries together, and it will no doubt take me time, who couldn't identify with that wonderful opening theme song and what is clearly an exercise in editing exceptionalism.  This is how to make a theme to a potentially classic series.  In this case, this is theme perfection to one of the sci-fi greats ranking alongside the best of the 1970s with The Incredible Hulk and Space:1999.



And although the sound was absent, this theme and clips from the series looked terrific on the Viewmaster when I was a young lad.

Doctor Who Theme Series 1

The Fourth Doctor Doctor Who theme music is eternally beautiful to me. I've always been absolutely mesmerized by that haunting swirl of music accompanied by its simple but masterful visual effects.




Today, the theme continues to amaze as it did when the series returned in 2005. English composer Murray Gold [1969-present] stayed faithful to the classic sound [originally composed by Ron Grainer] while reinvigorating that thrilling theme by offering a modified arrangement. He clearly approached the series as a musical director in much the same way Russell T. Davies handled Doctor Who itself.

Gold also penned themes for Doctor Who associates, The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood. Gold continues to serve as Doctor Who musical director and can be spotted in a cameo in Voyage Of The Damned [2007] featuring the ever beautiful and sexy Kylie Minogue.

The Courtship Of Eddie's Father Theme

This will bring back memories for some. This is the delightfully charming theme song to The Courtship Of Eddie's Father [1969-1972]. The series ran for three seasons and 73 episodes. The series starred Bill Bixby.

As an homage to Bixby I intended on putting this up about a week ago. It was November 21, 1993 that Bixby passed away succumbing to cancer at the premature young age of 59.

There are actors, singers and icons in your life that remind you of a significant period in your existence, a time that became part of the fabric of who you are for a span and Bixby, for me, was one of those people. Apart from his, well, incredible run as Dr. David Banner on The Incredible Hulk [1977-1982], Bixby also played Tom Corbett on the unforgettable series The Courtship Of Eddie's Father that switched up comedy and drama with seemingly relative ease. There were moments in that series that spoke to the many childhood dilemmas and troubles one faces in youth. Bixby always handled those delicate quandaries with sensitivity and sincerity. The Courtship Of Eddie's Father remains one of those series that had a profound effect on me as a child. We all have them. As insignificant as the series may be to most, it arrived at a good time in my own life and clearly influenced my own view of the world. And who says TV doesn't influence?

The theme song was comissioned, written and recorded by Harry Nilsson, but was surprisingly never released on record. Here's that classic, elusive theme song, Best Friend, and a sample of the show's always original openings.

The Incredible Hulk Theme Version 1

The theme to The Incredible Hulk may be one of the finest theme songs ever recorded. It was unquestionably one of the best of the 1970s.

On a personal note, I often recorded the classic track using the tape recorder on my boom box. I recorded portions of The Lonely Man theme by composer/ arranger Joe Harnell [1924-2005], who also composed for The Bionic Woman, as well as lines of Bill Bixby dialogue.

Back then, we didn't have computers and access to videos. I had my shot at seeing each episode of The Incredible Hulk one time and that was it. Times have changed and access has changed indeed.

This theme and the themes to Wonder Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, Land Of The Lost and Space:1999 were some of the classics of the day. They were among my favorites.

The late Ted Cassidy [1932-1979], who also provided growls for The Hulk, provided the vocal narration to the grim-toned theme. Clearly some real risks were taken with the somber tone of the opening, but as kids it never scared us away.

This particular opening was omitted from the first official episode, Pilot [1977], of The Incredible Hulk. It was first implemented for the second official pilot entry for The Incredible Hulk called Death In The Family [1977]. The theme would receive an even different, edited treatment for the series when it began with the third episode, Final Round [1978]. The television theme often feels like a lost art.

The Hurricane [Not To Be Confused With The Wind And Rain Machine]

Run For Your Bloody Lives!

That's right people, this one is in honor of Hurricane Irene and like Agent Smith, she's powerful, relentless and she's coming.

You wouldn't like her when she's angry so be ready.

Take cover friends, batten down the hatches or do some much needed crying in the rain.

Stock up on good liquor, non-perishables and several hot women. All races welcome.

Put away items that can quickly pass for deadly throwing stars in the wind and harm your children.

Get stuck with a hot chick if possible, particularly one with a wet t-shirt.

If all goes well, power will be back in a few days. Just in case, armed women could come in handy to prevent looting.

Yes, the storm, she is a-coming!

And whatever you do, if things get real bad, like The-Chariot-taking-in-water-on-the-ocean BAD, don't go outside. You're no Mark Goddard even if you think you are. Good luck everyone. God speed.

The Kiss [Love, Science Fiction Style], Part I

Okay that's not kissing!
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What better way to ring in the new year than with the all important science fiction kiss?
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This post was a work in progress and my original plan was to present it as my contribution to an ongoing film meme last year, but it was scratched. I was inspired to assemble Science Fiction Images In Techni-COLOR in its place. I was ultimately happier with the latter idea for the meme. The Kiss took a backseat for the better part of 2010. Then, funny thing, my friend and Author John Kenneth Muir released his own post under his Cult TV Faces banner with the auspicious title of The Cult TV Faces Of: The Kiss. Still, with all that we have in common and all of the science fiction shows we both love, surprisingly, our posts still stand alone, but together. They are essentially a complement to one another as it turns out. See for yourself. Without further adieu, pucker up and enjoy Love, Science Fiction Style with The Kiss, Part I.
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Babylon 5 [1993-1998]

Blade Runner [1982]

Farscape [1999-2003] [okay it's not technically kissing, but hell it's Farscape and weird stuff happens]

James Bond 007

Lady & The Tramp [1955] [I can't help myself, I love animation. This one slipped through the sci-fi cracks]

Lost In Space [1965-1968]

Planet Of The Apes [1968] [speaking of weird, but also oddly beautiful]

Space:1999 [1975-1978]

Spider-Man

Stargate SG-1 [1997-2007]

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine [1993-1999]

Star Trek: Enterprise [2001-2005]

Star Trek [2009]

Star Trek: The Original Series [1966-1969] [let's face it, there was a lot of kissing on this series]

Star Trek: Voyager [1995-2001]

Star Wars [1977][Luke & Leia- ewww]

Tron [1982]