Earle Hagen
Composer
About This Interview
Earle Hagen (1919-2008) was interviewed for five hours in Palm Springs, CA. Hagen described the pleasure of working with producers Sheldon Leonard and Danny Thomas, and creating the themes, as well as writing the music for: The Danny Thomas Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Spy, and Mod Squad, to name a few. The interview was conducted by Jon Burlingame on November 17, 1997.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Earle Hagen was inducted (posthumously) into the 20th Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.
YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
Highlights
Earle Hagen on writing the theme to The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 10:45, Duration: 03m 21s- Earle Hagen on writing the theme to The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 09:08 - Earle Hagen on composing music for Don Knotts' character on The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 14:06, Duration: 04m 03s
Interview
- Part 1
- Introduction
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his early years and education; on his interest in music and learning the trombone
Clip begins at: 01:00 - On his first professional work in bands; on joining Benny Goodman's band; on joining Tommy Dorsey's band; on touring and arranging music
Clip begins at: 09:01 - Part 2
- On arranging and recording with some of the big bands of the time
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On joining the staff of CBS as a trombone player; on serving in World War II in Army Air Corps Radio Production Unit; on deciding to study composition; on arranging and conducting at various studios
Clip begins at: 08:15 - Part 3
- On the definitions of an arranger and a composer; on working as an arranger on motion pictures at 20th Century Fox
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On leaving 20th Century Fox and partnering with Herbert W. Spencer; on starting in television; on the compensation structure for television composers; on recording and arranging for various labels
Clip begins at: 18:57 - Part 4
- On the technical aspects of recording music on film
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On composing and conducting music for The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy)
Clip begins at: 03:36 - On his work on the series Where's Raymond? starring Ray Bolger
Clip begins at: 20:34 - Part 5
- On the difference between composing for film and television
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his work on The Andy Griffith Show
Clip begins at: 05:48 - Part 6
- On the technical elements (i.e. click tracks, early small television speakers, etc.) involved in composing for film/TV
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working on The Dick Van Dyke Show
Clip begins at: 10:09 - On working on Gomer Pyle, USMC; on working on multiple shows and the people who worked with him
Clip begins at: 19:10 - On the beginnings of his work on I Spy
Clip begins at: 22:46 - Part 7
- On composing the theme for I Spy; on NBC not initially okaying Bill Cosby for the co-starring role on I Spy
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On orchestrating the music for I Spy; on some of the series' musical themes
Clip begins at: 08:53 - Part 8
- On the business of creating music for television
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On working on That Girl; on using library music for a series
Clip begins at: 09:59 - On creating the music for The Mod Squad
Clip begins at: 14:00 - Part 9
- On using the theme he wrote for the town of Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show as the theme for the spinoff on composing the theme for Mayberry RFD
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On his work in music education
Clip begins at: 02:39 - On creating the music library for Mary Hartman Mary Hartman sight-unseen; on his work on The Dukes of Hazzard; on his work on Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer
Clip begins at: 11:28 - On his retirement; on the role of music in television and film
Clip begins at: 22:53 - Part 10
- On his thoughts on new technologies in music; on his career achievements; on his advice to aspiring composers; on how he'd like to be remembered; on the body of work he created
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On some of the individuals he worked with in his career
Clip begins at: 05:16 - On some photos illustrating his career
Clip begins at: 19:52
Shows
People
Topics
Professions
Be the first to comment!
Post new comment