What a killer, killer theme song by the great Dave Grusin. That really theme is virtually an unknown gem. Man, this had my attention as a four year old boy...seeing Burt Reynolds sliding across the floor towards the camera. The opening credits made me want to be a stuntman. And Grusin's theme song started my life long love of great theme songs.
I was 7 years old when this tv show came on. But the one thing I always remembered about this show was the jazzy, cool theme song and Dan August doing the "slip n slide" in the opening credits.
In the 70'es we used to run in the schools corridors,then jump forward with the fist pointing shouting "Daaan August" and slide like in the intro. Oh that was fun, seeing this bring back a little smile on my face
One of the very best opens for any show in the history of TV! An excellent show that for some reason is rarely mentioned, not even by Burt himself. Amazing how so many mundane shows have been released on DVD..."Dan August" is a classic that lasted just one season and there's very little proof that it ever existed. Whomever owns the Quinn Martin library, you will make some good cash if you release these DVDs of Burt at his finest!
I remember this show in the late 60's???] he used to jump out of moving cars &roll on the ground& still was alive!] I was around 3 or 4 yrs old] just thought it was so amazing , still remember it to this day!]its amazing how the net can bring back memories w/ a touch of a couple of keys]Burt Reynolds was a great actor, serious &comedy!
One of the great and one of the underrated cop shows that was produced by Quinn Martin and it ran for one season on ABC-TV from 1970 to 1971 producing 26 episodes all in color. After it was cancel in 1971,it ended up in repeats when CBS pick it up for its late night line-up and not to mention the network also brought it on as a summer replacement series in 1973 and 1974.
@assignmentearth Dave Grusin did a lot of theme music for TV and the movies as well. The show only lasted one season, but the theme music stil stands out. Truly an unknown gem, but I still remember it.
The series ran for one season on ABC from 1970 to 1971 producing 26 episodes,all in color and under the QM format: (1) Act One; (2) Act Two; (3) Act Three; (4) Act Four; (5) Epilgoue. Dan August was one of the great cop shows of the early 1970's produced by Quinn Martin. starring Burt Reynolds.
The scene in the opening credits where he is sliding on the floor towards the camera was filmed at Santa Clara Catholic Church in Oxnard, CA. The inside of the church still looks pretty much the same as it did back in 1970.
@spacepatrolman And he's still producing, arranging and perforiming, mostly in Europe and Japan, and several cities in the U.S. His record company, GRP (Grusin-Rosen Productions) produced many artists such as Tom Browne, Dave Valentin, Tom Scott, Spyro Gyra, Acoustic Alchemy and many other artists. And he has performed with some of the giants in the music industry. Truly a well respected musician/composer.
Now I know, what TV-series "opening The Naked Gun"spoofed :-) I love it. Saw some of this series on danish televsion in the sevnties. Just now they are running the old The Rockford Files" for the first time on danish TV with James Garner.
I never have been able to figure out why this show didn't make it. That open and the theme is in my Top 10. (To give you an idea of what else is there: "Mission: Impossible" is #1. The others include "It Takes A Thief", "Get Smart!" and "Search" another show that should have made it and is also not on DVD.) Thanks to PIMannix. A friend once discovered me whistling this and trying to replicate that "buzz" sound at the beginning. He thought I was making it all up.
dan august - he cant just jump ... he has to flyy !! i remember this from the 70's it was a good show - one of those ones you'd wish last a few more seasons ... oh well
A favorite show when I was growing up. One of my Favorite themes. I wonder how different it would have been had it starred Christopher George, as originally planned. His pilot film, THE HOUSE ON GREENAPPLE ROAD was much more adult than the series ended up being. George had the unique distinction of having all 3 pilots sell for the 70-71 season that he made. He chose THE IMMORTAL. ESCAPE morphed into THE MAGICIAN w/Bill Bixby a few years later (w/only minor changes to the character).
Dan August was the man. I don't think it stayed on too long but I do remember the series. The only episode I remember was Dan got his butt kicked real bad by two bad guys and for some strange reason me and my brother found it to be one of the funniest things we had seen. Couldn't tell you anything else about the episode though.
He did an earlier cop show (highlighting his indian heritage) a year earlier named HAWK, not to be confused with SPENSER's sidekick like AVERY BROOKS played
Remember first coming across this series as reruns at 1am in the late '90s, seemed to be trying to come from more of a social realism angle rather than straight out action-fest, which would've led to its quick demise. Bring back those cheesy -yet-classic series reruns like The Invaders overnight on terrestrial TV instead of news feeds and infomercials for steam cleaners and ab crunchers.
@spacepatrolman There is an audience out there for his type of music. I listen to his music (and many other jazz musicians) on XM satellite radio. All the lite jazz stations have pretty much gone away and most radio stations play the same top 40 crap every day, and that gets pretty old. Even the TV shows have almost gotten away from doing the theme music to a series. And I'm just not into the "reality' TV" shows either.
@spacepatrolman I think you might be referring to the album "Mountain Dance". The one where's he wearing a cowboy hat. And he's definitely NOT country (lol)!!!!!
Not the most memorable of TV themes, but Burt was always watchable, ditto Norman Fell and Richard Anderson. Being so young when it debuted I only vaguely remember this one, but would like to see it again now just to see how it holds up. (And just looking at that cast listing makes me long to know the behind the scenes gossip on this show, especially this episode... )
QM apparently recycled many of these elements and graphics in a number of their other openings, most notably "Barnaby Jones". and "The Streets of San Francisco".
Miami dolphins perfect season and the Kansas city chiefs superbowl are around these times to think 50 million audience was not enough in the 3 network days your tv show was considered a flop today 5 million in cable world is a hit tv show say it aint so and there is the lack OF salary in the 60s and 70s you had to own the show like Elizabeth Montgomery bewitched otherwise she would be in movies....
Burt Reynolds did some of his better acting in this show. He did have a good supporting cast of solid actors. Too bad about the bad face lifts and poor hair pieces.
What a killer, killer theme song by the great Dave Grusin. That really theme is virtually an unknown gem. Man, this had my attention as a four year old boy...seeing Burt Reynolds sliding across the floor towards the camera. The opening credits made me want to be a stuntman. And Grusin's theme song started my life long love of great theme songs.
I was 7 years old when this tv show came on. But the one thing I always remembered about this show was the jazzy, cool theme song and Dan August doing the "slip n slide" in the opening credits.
In the 70'es we used to run in the schools corridors,then jump forward with the fist pointing shouting "Daaan August" and slide like in the intro. Oh that was fun, seeing this bring back a little smile on my face
the early 70's. Quinn Martin at the top of his game.
Loved Dan August in the 70s. Thanks for sharing.
One of the very best opens for any show in the history of TV! An excellent show that for some reason is rarely mentioned, not even by Burt himself. Amazing how so many mundane shows have been released on DVD..."Dan August" is a classic that lasted just one season and there's very little proof that it ever existed. Whomever owns the Quinn Martin library, you will make some good cash if you release these DVDs of Burt at his finest!
Now THIS is a cast. Mr. Roper, Oscar Goldman, James Dean's sidekick on "Rebel Without a Cause" and Fernando.
I remember this show in the late 60's???] he used to jump out of moving cars &roll on the ground& still was alive!] I was around 3 or 4 yrs old] just thought it was so amazing , still remember it to this day!]its amazing how the net can bring back memories w/ a touch of a couple of keys]Burt Reynolds was a great actor, serious &comedy!
Thanks for posting this. Trolling for old tv clips of Sal Mineo.
Great television series I watched it as a kid God bless you Burt Reynolds thank you for the memories
Thanks for posting this. Been looking for a clean intro to "Dan August" since UA-cam was launched. Much appreciated.
I remember this show when I was a kid. I loved it, too. Thanks for posting.
QM!..the Man who gave us the Original Fugitive. Barnaby Jones.and Cannon. and the Streets of San Francisco.
One of the great and one of the underrated cop shows that was produced by Quinn Martin and it ran for one season on ABC-TV from 1970 to 1971 producing 26 episodes all in color. After it was cancel in 1971,it ended up in repeats when CBS pick it up for its late night line-up and not to mention the network also brought it on as a summer replacement series in 1973 and 1974.
@assignmentearth Dave Grusin did a lot of theme music for TV and the movies as well. The show only lasted one season, but the theme music stil stands out. Truly an unknown gem, but I still remember it.
that brought back memories - one of those tv series you hoped would last a little longer
The series ran for one season on ABC from 1970 to 1971 producing 26 episodes,all in color and under the QM format: (1) Act One; (2) Act Two; (3) Act Three; (4) Act Four; (5) Epilgoue.
Dan August was one of the great cop shows of the early 1970's produced by Quinn Martin. starring Burt Reynolds.
Fernando Lamas...you look MARVELOUS!!
The scene in the opening credits where he is sliding on the floor towards the camera was filmed at Santa Clara Catholic Church in Oxnard, CA. The inside of the church still looks pretty much the same as it did back in 1970.
@spacepatrolman And he's still producing, arranging and perforiming, mostly in Europe and Japan, and several cities in the U.S. His record company, GRP (Grusin-Rosen Productions) produced many artists such as Tom Browne, Dave Valentin, Tom Scott, Spyro Gyra, Acoustic Alchemy and many other artists. And he has performed with some of the giants in the music industry. Truly a well respected musician/composer.
Now I know, what TV-series "opening The Naked Gun"spoofed :-) I love it. Saw some of this series on danish televsion in the sevnties. Just now they are running the old The Rockford Files" for the first time on danish TV with James Garner.
I'm reading Burt's memoirs and he says that Dan August had 2 expressions; mean and meaner.
I love those individual intros - they react when they are told they are not getting paid for their performances! LOL!
The intro of 'Dan August' is very similar to intro of 'Mannix'. The running down the freeway, race car driving, jumping off balcony etc.
I never have been able to figure out why this show didn't make it. That open and the theme is in my Top 10. (To give you an idea of what else is there: "Mission: Impossible" is #1. The others include "It Takes A Thief", "Get Smart!" and "Search" another show that should have made it and is also not on DVD.) Thanks to PIMannix. A friend once discovered me whistling this and trying to replicate that "buzz" sound at the beginning. He thought I was making it all up.
dan august - he cant just jump ... he has to flyy !! i remember this from the 70's it was a good show - one of those ones you'd wish last a few more seasons ... oh well
Shows had the best casts in those days, better than the movies.
I would really like to see dan august get
released out on DVD
It's out on DVD as the complete series.
wish there were some episodes to watch!!!!!!!!
A favorite show when I was growing up. One of my Favorite themes. I wonder how different it would have been had it starred Christopher George, as originally planned. His pilot film, THE HOUSE ON GREENAPPLE ROAD was much more adult than the series ended up being. George had the unique distinction of having all 3 pilots sell for the 70-71 season that he made. He chose THE IMMORTAL. ESCAPE morphed into THE MAGICIAN w/Bill Bixby a few years later (w/only minor changes to the character).
Wow what a lineup
Dan August was the man. I don't think it stayed on too long but I do remember the series. The only episode I remember was Dan got his butt kicked real bad by two bad guys and for some strange reason me and my brother found it to be one of the funniest things we had seen. Couldn't tell you anything else about the episode though.
woww what a hott show there on abc tv .. sure do miss it there ..
Best theme song EVER!
dan august aired for one season(1970-1971) ON ABC & LATER ON CBS.
Ned Romero and Fernando Lamas... 'Nuff Said!
wow, burt looks somewhat humble in that video!
He did an earlier cop show (highlighting his indian heritage) a year earlier named HAWK, not to be confused with SPENSER's sidekick like AVERY BROOKS played
Quinn Martin, a man who obviously thought people couldn't read so he hired an announcer.
Also, the start of this reminds me of JT Lancer.
I´d like to see the series on DVD.
I remember Mr. Fell from '87th Precinct'. (I also met him a few years ago).
ABC had good crime dramas, thanks to QM productions.
@ridgerunner721601 No wonder he'll mainly be remembered as the landlord in "Three's Company."
How did that only have 1 series , it is far superior to most of the other 70s cop shows, in my opinion
Ena Hartman(n)-I've seen her name spelled both ways-sure looked "redd hawt" here.
@xHeadcleanerx Yeah, it would be a hell of a lot better than those damn informercials that are all over late night TV right now.
I watched one episode of this series, in it's first run. It wasn't bad.
Remember first coming across this series as reruns at 1am in the late '90s, seemed to be trying to come from more of a social realism angle rather than straight out action-fest, which would've led to its quick demise. Bring back those cheesy -yet-classic series reruns like The Invaders overnight on terrestrial TV instead of news feeds and infomercials for steam cleaners and ab crunchers.
Hey isn't that Mr. Roper (from Three's Company) in the credits?
@spacepatrolman There is an audience out there for his type of music. I listen to his music (and many other jazz musicians) on XM satellite radio. All the lite jazz stations have pretty much gone away and most radio stations play the same top 40 crap every day, and that gets pretty old. Even the TV shows have almost gotten away from doing the theme music to a series. And I'm just not into the "reality' TV" shows either.
I Throw Myself On The Ground Floor I Act Like Burt Reynolds.
@spacepatrolman I think you might be referring to the album "Mountain Dance". The one where's he wearing a cowboy hat. And he's definitely NOT country (lol)!!!!!
Not the most memorable of TV themes, but Burt was always watchable, ditto Norman Fell and Richard Anderson. Being so young when it debuted I only vaguely remember this one, but would like to see it again now just to see how it holds up. (And just looking at that cast listing makes me long to know the behind the scenes gossip on this show, especially this episode... )
@spacepatrolman Have you heard Dave Grusin's "Serengeti Walk" (The Live Version)?
I Dress Like Burt Reynolds As Dan August On TV I Do.
The theme to Mannix is so much better.
Hank Simms, announcer.
Barry I. Grauman Who sounds somewhat like Don Messick.
GOOSEYGOOSE9 no, this was produced solely by QM Productions(now part of CBS).
@ridgerunner721601 RIP Don Knotts, and RIP Norm Fell.
An interesting opportunity to see Burt Reynolds just before he became famous.
That was a good show
Did I recognise someone from 'Kelly's Heroes' ?
thanks also
At last! Thanks!
@GOOSEYGOOSE9 who was Jen???.
Where in tarnation did you get this? Bandit was Smokey, huh?
RIP. burt
Iliked Dan August. Too bad it wasn't more of a success
That Quinn Martin guy was one smart dude...more hits than a Rodney King car-stop.
He doesn't half throw himself around!
QM apparently recycled many of these elements and graphics in a number of their other openings, most notably "Barnaby Jones". and "The Streets of San Francisco".
I Have Moustache Like Burt Reynolds.
Miami dolphins perfect season and the Kansas city chiefs superbowl are around these times to think 50 million audience was not enough in the 3 network days your tv show was considered a flop today 5 million in cable world is a hit tv show say it aint so and there is the lack OF salary in the 60s and 70s you had to own the show like Elizabeth Montgomery bewitched otherwise she would be in movies....
Burt didn't sit down much in those days.
Today's shows are boring.
killer theme song
Burt Reynolds did some of his better acting in this show. He did have a good supporting cast of solid actors. Too bad about the bad face lifts and poor hair pieces.
wtf burt reynolds had a show lol
He had another one called Evening Shade.
Dude's running More than Tom Cruise'/!!!
These shows always had one token black girl to show the lead character how to keep it real!