Classic TV Theme: T.H.E. Cat (Lalo Schifrin)

By RM

thursday, june 26, 2025 at 11:21:00 p.m. edt

Classic TV Theme: T.H.E. Cat (Lalo Schifrin)

By RM

I believe John Williams is now the last veteran composer still with us. We shall not see their kind again...

I posted once before about the “Tar Music” from Luke being used as the theme from ABC’s Eyewitness News programs in the 60s-70s. Glad it’s included in the suite-a wonderful theme, it really evokes nostalgic memories of hearing it almost nightly in the background on the TV. (The TV was always on, even if no one was watching it!)

He did a couple of Ben Caseys (and later, Medical Center) episodes, and there was an interview somewhere, in which he complained about his music being re-used in different episodes-he said something like, “A theme I write for brain surgery is not the same as a theme I would write for heart surgery!”

Looking over his credits, it’s amazing how prolific he was. Another great theme he did was for Mannix-and even better, the theme from T.H.E. Cat (1966)- look that one up if you’re unfamiliar with it! It’s like WOW, man!-R.I.P.

-RM


“11,295 views nov 7, 2020
“one of the early entries in a now-familiar concept: the guy who helps people out of a jam. Thomas Hewitt Edward Cat was a former circus performer, ex jewel thief, and present-day bodyguard. The show has withered away in some vault somewhere while collectors have made do with faded 16mm prints, which is why the image quality on this video isn’t the greatest. But the jazzy Lalo Schifrin theme comes through just fine.

“the opening narration apparently was added midway in the show’s run to help explain the concept. it wasn’t that complicated! sounds like George Fenneman doing the narration: he performed a similar task on Dragnet and is best-known as Groucho’s announcer on You Bet Your Life.”



RM, your story on Schifrin’s frustration with producers reminds me of a couple of episodes of Have Gun, Will Travel. “Charley Red Dog,” S3, E13, guest starring Scott Marlowe, and directed by my beloved Ida Lupino, featured a wonderful score by Paul Dunlap (whom the producers ripped off for at least one other episode, I believe, guest starring Ken Curtis, without giving Dunlap credit).