The TV Themes Of...Ron Grainer

[MacNimon]

Running alongside the polls in the Film & TV board, here we'll be looking at the tv themes of particular composers. And, given our love of Doctor Who, who better who kick off with than Ron Grainer?

So what's your favourite Ron Grainer tv theme?

Doctor Who


Steptoe & Son


The Prisoner


Man In A Suitcase


Tales Of The Unexpected


Maigret

[MacNimon]

Although the YouTube video links don't seem to be working! Maybe it's just me, though...

[duncan]

I'm just getting a message pop up saying that an error has occurred, please try later.

[SiHart]

I've sorted the links. When posting You Tube videos, you just need the end bit of the URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwGsxuwDk70 (the bit I've highlighted).

[duncan]

My top three are Steptoe and Son, Tales of the Unexpected and Doctor Who, and, of course, Doctor WHo is the best theme.

[Dave Tudor]

'Doctor Who' is possibly the greatest theme of all time, but I think it is as much the work of Delia Derbyshire (and indeed all the other arrangers) as it is Ron Grainer. I've gone for the epic theme from 'The Prisoner', one of the best programme openings ever.

[Nyder]

Are there any recordings around of how Ron envisaged the Who theme?

[MacNimon]

There is, Dave. I almost posted it here this morning but thought better of it. It's certainly interesting...very different! Here it is...

[MacNimon]

There's actually very little seperating these themes, imo...they're all great in their own right. But I think The Prisoner just edges it, for me. The sound effects over the music ...thunder, echoing footsteps, etc...just emphasise the strength of this piece...I love how it works in tandem with the visuals to act as a mini-pilot episode each week

[SiHart]

If it wasn't for Doctor Who, either The Prisoner or Tales of the Unexpected would have got my vote. Both are great!

[Dirk Gently]

I've had to go for Doctor Who...not just because it's my favourite show but just because I've always loved it. 2nd would be Steptoe & Son & Tales of the Unexpected.

[Nyder]

Wow, Ron G's version is like Spaghetti Western meets Disco!


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[Dirk Gently]

Yes, it reminds me of the version they used on the 'Years' videos.

[Wayne]

There is, Dave. I almost posted it here this morning but thought better of it. It's certainly interesting...very different! Here it is...

I have a real problem believing that that is how Ron Grainer intended the Dr Who theme to sound, unless he was himself a time-traveller with preoccupation for disco-kitsch circa 1978.

On a purely musical level, I don't like ANY of them all that much, but I'd probably go for Maigret, even though the instrumentation is awful as Grainer seems to have a slight banjo fetish.

But Dave's nailed it. It was Delia Derbyshire that made the Dr Who theme. So if I voted for that, it wouldn't really be a vote for Ron.
So, Maigret for Ron, and Dr Who for Delia.

[Andrew Curnow]

I have a real problem believing that that is how Ron Grainer intended the Dr Who theme to sound, unless he was himself a time-traveller with preoccupation for disco-kitsch circa 1978

I agree Wayne - it sounds very like the disco version of the Star Wars theme in 'feel' I think. Quite catchy though...

And I'm also going for Maigret, if only cos it's very hummable!

[Dirk Gently]

...if only cos it's very hummable!

That's what I like about the Tales of the Unexpected theme, very hummable.

[Dirk Gently]

And just to illustrate that I started humming & whistling it & Angela got it straight away. (Even though she dosen't like the programme).