Park Avenue Beat

"Park Avenue Beat"[1][2] (also known as the "Perry Mason Theme")[3] was the theme music for the 1957–1966 CBS television drama Perry Mason. It is one of the best-known works by composer Fred Steiner,[1][4][5] although he did not receive credit for the theme until near the end of the series' run.[6]

CBS executives had wanted the theme music to convey the suavity, sophistication, and toughness that they felt were the fundamental aspects of Perry Mason's character, as well as his dealing with criminals and crime. According to Steiner:

Historically, you associate jazz with the seamy side of life. [In 1957], rhythm and blues was the big thing. That rhythm just seemed like what I was looking for: a contemporary beat for that side of him, and yet the symphonic sound to represent him as the kind of guy who goes to the opera. It sounds easy now, but I must have gone through four or five different versions.[7]

The original version of the theme music was recorded in Mexico, which was standard practice at the time. Steiner also composed a number of variations on the theme, as well as stock music, for use as incidental music in the series.[6]

"Park Avenue Beat" was reused in the NBC series of Perry Mason television films starring the surviving original cast members.[8][9][lower-alpha 1]

In 2001, "Park Avenue Beat" topped a Knight Ridder top 10 list of television themes.[10]

Notes
  1. The San Francisco Examiner incorrectly credits Bernard Herrmann as co-composer of "Park Avenue Beat."

References
  1. Lewis, Randy (June 25, 2011). "Fred Steiner (1923–2011): Hollywood composer created 'Perry Mason' theme". Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  2. "Mr. Know-It-All". San Francisco Examiner. April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "TV Mailbag". Morning Call. February 3, 1958. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Stewart, Trudy (May 1, 1996). "Musical score sets the scene in TV, movies". Stevens Point Journal. Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Harding bands to present spring concert Thursday". Marion Star. Marion, Ohio. April 25, 1989. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Burlingame 2023, p. 170.
  7. Burlingame, Jon (August 30, 2002). "Melodic memories: classic theme songs remain a vital link to the legacy of a cherished series". Variety. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  8. Shales, Tom (November 28, 1985). "Perry Mason returns, just in the nick of time". The Tennessean. Nashville. Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Henniger, Paul (December 1, 1985). "A New Mystery Case For the Old Perry Mason". San Francisco Examiner. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "TV's Top 10 theme songs". Daily Press (Victorville). Victorville, California. Knight Ridder. May 1, 2001. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2021.

Cited source
  • Burlingame, Jon (2023). Music for Prime Time: A History of American Television Themes and Scoring. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-061830-8.
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