Classic TV Themes: The FBI / Today's FBI
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Efrem Zimbalist easily moved from '77 Sunset Strip' to working for Mr Hoover, and 'The FBI' ran for almost a decade. By-the-book procedurals and a 'crime does not pay' message found a large audience. The striking theme is by Bronislau Kaper who worked more in films ('Mutiny on the Bounty') than tv. Years after Zimbalist's show ended its run someone thought it would be a good idea to basically remake the show but with the more modern technology and crime-busting techniques the 1980s had to offer. Thus was born 'Today's FBI' starring Mike Connors. Only 18 episodes were produced. The theme was by another composer more famous for films: Elmer Bernstein ('The Magnificent Seven', and much later, 'Airplane!').
One of the greatest crime drama series of all time Period!!!!!
To this day (2024), when I hear on the news about some major scumbag being brought to justice by the FBI, this theme pops into my head. The melody sums up the very essence of "the long arm of the law," and of the unending pursuit of justice.
I watched this show as a 12 yr old kid...loved it. When I was 50, I remembered the first 10 chords of the original intro and I have been trying to figure out where I heard them from for almost 20 years! I thought it was possibly from a movie but I couldn't remember. I ask a few people to no avail. Now, thanks to you, I finally know. Now when I die, I can be in peace! 🙂
The FBI theme by Bronisław Kaper was dynamic and bold. Sunday nights on ABC you heard that theme you knew the FBI was on. Quinn Martin shows were always the best.
Brilliant score by Kaper. I have loved it since I was a kid.
Both themes, old and new, are totally classic pieces of music.
I've already got the original FBI on DVD. Now I'd like the Today's FBI released.
Wow.. Haven't heard that theme song in going on 60 yrs. Don't know what made me think of it, but thanks UA-cam.
One of the best crime shows ever have 3 seasons of this show on dvd so far
Great theme by Kapur. Would love to see these. I missed so much USA TV in the 60s as was just too young.
Simply one the best series on Television and the most beautiful, big band music i have ever heard! Truly breathtaking theme! Peace
Two great themes.
Never heard of "Today's FBI" but knowing its Mike "Mannix" Connors, would love to see a dvd release.
Thanks for uploading 👍
The theme from The FBI is a masterpiece of heroic music without being over the top. These were real heroes being portrayed not superheroes. God bless Dominic Frontiere for composing this music! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🇺🇸
In this case, the theme isn't Dominic Frontiere, only the incidentally music in the episode.
beautiful music.....
A lot of people got their start on The FBI: Tom Selleck, Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek). The biggest difference between the two shows is that J. Edgar Hoover, then Clarence Kelley, and the agency itself had a hand in the original show. The new show was based on cases the FBI didn't dictate the show.
I knew that Hoover reviewed the script for each show. He did NOT want his baby portrayed negatively!
@@stevenc8140 Ain't that the truth!!! What I miss was on television at the end of each episode was Efrem Zimbalist Jr. discussing people on the FBI Most Wanted poster, including James Earl Ray.
J Edgar Hoover Wanted A F B I That Looked Good On Screen And Off Screen His Successor. Clarence Kelley Didn't Say Do What U Want But He Let The Producers Do It There Way
"Image In A Cracked Mirror" would be used as an episode title on later QM series "Barnaby Jones"...
I first watched this show in the early 1970's.
Almost forgot, I also saw Today's FBI in the 1980's too!
The always trusty Hank Simms announcing for another Quinn Martin show.
Now stay tune for the ABC Sunday night movie next on abc
I was hoping to see Rick Dalton in the credits
I seem to remember one of the last episodes of Today's FBI featured a disco arrangement of Elmer Bernstein's theme. If this is true, I hope that turns up someday.
I don't. No change was necessary.
Correct. I have two episodes on DVD and in the final episode there was just a slight tweak to the arrangement to give it a "disco" vibe.
*still 2025 - Haven't heard this theme in DECADES.....*
We only had two tv channels. A CBS affiliate and an NBC affiliate. The latter would broadcast "The F.B.I", an ABC show, instead of their network's "Wonderful World of Disney". It may have been because a decade earlier ABC sprung out of NBC's Red Network.
Quinn Martin Productions had shut down by the time Today's FBI went into production, so David Gerber Productions did the new series. ABC gave the new show the old one's time slot on Sundays, but times had changed too much and it did poorly against Archie Bunker's Place and One Day at a Time.
Carol Potter was known at the time for her fast-talking commercials for People Magazine; Beverly Hills 90210 was a decade away.
Its by Columbia instead of Warner Bros
Reminds me of having seen many episodes in Switzerland thru German Public Boradcasting in the sixties. The old tune at 3:35 with Efrem Zimbalist is, for me, the original.
David Gerber, who was the executive producer of 'Today's FBI', was also responsible for 'Police Story' and 'Police Woman'!
Also starring, Match Game panelist Brett Somers! 😊
Oh dahling, what was the case again? Is there an operative word? Are we going to the motel later?
FYI she and Jack played BROTHER AND SISTER in this episode...!
Jack Klugman was a celebrity panelist on "Match Game," and suggested they bring on his wife on the show as a panelist. His wife happened to be Brett Somers. The rest, as they say, is history
Here’s another suggestion, David: The Sheriff of Cochise/United States Marshal.
Yeah, that was back when they worked out of the Department of Justice Building, before the J. Edgar Hoover building was built. Funny, it shows Zimbalist's Ford Mustang coming out of the DOJ building courtyard, as if he would be allowed to park there. Later get he gets a parking place right in front of the building. At least he signals his lane changes. Then they get the guy who played "Mannix" to be the protagonist and 1970s over-the-ears haircuts (which I don't think were ever authorized for FBI agents) and with a theme composed by Elmer Bernstein.
I used to love this TV show as a boy! I loved the music score also. The show helped instill values of right and wrong in me and also of patriotism and appreciation for our country. It's a shame how the democrats have corrupted the FBI and Department of Justice in just the last 4 or 5 years to cover up their misdeeds and persecute their political opponents.
CLASSIC ALL THE WAY!
When the FBI was competent.....
The first one theme is by Bronislaw Kaper, the composer of Green Dolphin Street, it's from 1965, and it's a Quinn Martin production, same as the "Fugitive"
The FBI in color starring Efren Zimbalist Jr, Philip Abbott, tonight's episode Hillary's confession
Nice new ring tone.
エンディングは初めて観ました!
I wanted to be a FBI Agent when I was a kid at 12 yrs old! IF…The FBI comes a knocking at Your door…um you’s a going to PRISON!
William Reynolds was on a series called The Gallant Men..
1:12 An FBI agent issued a Ford Mustang convertible.. lol
That was Inspector Erskine's personal car. Ford Motor Company was exclusive with Quinn Martin Production on every show his company created. Ford was a major sponsor of The FBI during its entire run.
Look at the final-season guest cast!
Queen Martin pick the best actors, and they were realistic and guess who was behind the scenes Edgar Hoover that's why the show succeeds so much, Edgar Hoover was a master of counterintelligence in the United States we knew how to keep problems before they got into our institution out
Quinn
David, great post! Do you happen to have any full Today's FBI episodes? I have two on DVD that were recorded when USA Network re-ran the series in the late '80s/early 90's
Typical entrance with epic trumpets, reminded me of "beastie boys sabotage"
Ford Elite, based on the Torino.
Or, rather, a Lincoln Continental-ized Torino.
I like the convertible
Boy, our current FBI should be forced to watch these shows to learn what their REAL mission is
Strange that they never produced an episode about Tolson and Hoover.
Tom Selleck in the credits at 3:42 !!!
As ephraim's JR is driving the car he's looking at all the monuments and what makes a great this was knew that I love Justice
I prefer the second, the third, fifth, seventh and eighth seasons of the intro and closing more than the first season.
The FBI had real men in this show
My fave episode was A Substantial Gift (The Broken Promise)
In gods timing 💯🇺🇸
Every year the new muscle cars too that come out Efron symbols Jr would drive that, and the FBI vehicle that was really a great show and these shows showed you what was wrong and what was right
Doesn't get much cooler than a convertible mustang.
In gods timing ✝️🇺🇸🦅
Tonight's episode the Hillary sedition conspiracy
With Christopher Wray, Robert Mueller, Merrick Garland and Jack Smith: 2024
The FBI. In color!
EZ Jr took a real reduction in class when he went from the convertible Stang to the whatever blah-looking Ford (500?) he drove out in the last closing sequence!
I promise to tell the truth the whole truth AnD nothing but the truth so help me God
Brett Somers was Jack Klugman's second wife, they separated but never divorced..
Great Elmer Bernstein theme, but my God it was sooo annoying that all the Febbies had to smile, except of course the female agent, who of course had to be a ball breaker.
That big bloated Torino in the final season closing credits was a downgrade from the cool Mustangs from the early seasons.
I prefer the 72 Torino from the seventh season
Dough coyn it’s over
Now when you go to FBI headquarters you better have a Heckler Cox Mach 9, 6 Sawyer p226s, escort Vehicles if you're the director of the bulletproof vest rocket propelled grenade launches, helicopter escort, back then everything was under control it wasn't no unnecessary crazy s*** jumping off cuz they kept the criminal thing down
Great series, on how the FBI, use to be..now..what a joke.
We're going to save the FBI
like chewing gum?
Ironic, thinking that the FBI truly stood for Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity. 900 political prisoners in the DC gulags would think otherwise.
Tonight’s episode: the Trump debacle…
And tonight's episode The Biden nightmare
Now. Stay tune for the ABC Sunday night movie next on abc
The FBI turns 115 on 7/26/23. 🏛️