I’d give my right arm for just one 1970s Saturday night back in my Connecticut hometown, seated on the floor in front of that Magnavox console TV with my parents seated behind me in their own Archie and Edith ez chairs as we’d start the night with All in The Family, several different shows in the 8:30 slot over the years like Big Eddie and We’ll Get By, then the Mary Tyler Moore, Bob Newhart and Carol Burnett Shows at 9, 9:30 and 10pm. Those were the days.
I also grew up in CT...and can remember those exact Saturday nights. Some with my parents, and some at my Grandmother's house. I was allowed to stay up late and watch Carol Burnett too, only we saw it on my parents 'Zenith' color TV...rabbit ears and all. I was six when this went on the air....and fell in love with Mary, the show and the whole vibe....and Im even sure I saw this first episode...on WTIC TV, Channel 3- the main CBS station in Hartford. What an era!
I always was (and still am) in love with Mary. She will always be the perfect combination of beauty and sweetness. I miss her dearly, and boy the world could certainly use the likes of her now.
Sonny Curtis wrote and sang it. He played with Buddy Holly even before The Crickets. Google him, he has written several songs I bet you know but never gets any credit. He s very talented and as of Oct 2023, he is still with us.
I'm fascinated at how the lyrics to the first season theme are so different from later versions--less confident, more vulnerable. The theme in later seasons was dynamite, of course, but it's interesting to see how it changed. It's a subtle hint at her character's development over time.
That first season, that was the premise. She ends a relationship, she leaves town to start a new life in a new city. She has no job, no friends, she doesn’t know how it’s going to go. She was vulnerable and less confident After the first season, all of that didn’t apply anymore, so it made sense to change the lyrics.
The same thing happened with One Day at a Time...though the lyrics didn't change the visuals sure did. S1 she was obviously from a rather lower middle class marriage, leaving that crackerbox house, in that ancient pink car, moving into a rather seedy apartment with a creep super and her divorce was handled by a little boy junior lawyer on his first cases. Either they were poor or she got a really cruddy settlement. As the seasons went on the apartment poshed up, she was no longer an Avon lady and Schneider wasn't a 2 bit Jeff Epstein. Then when her ex appeared he was no blue collar bloke...he was a big shot.... So beyond MTM just growing up in her career... they just decided to recreate Ann Romano as the ex of a VERY posh suburban marriage as if it had always been.
One of my first jobs out of college was on a show MTM starred in back in the 1990s. I worked as an office PA. One of my tasks was to buy her snacks for the day, fruits, veggies, hummus, and so on. She couldn't eat anything from the craft services spread because she was a Type 1 diabetic, and most of their snacks were the usual packaged stuff. So part of my day would be spent at the fancy grocery store near where we shot the show in the West Village. She was definitely a professional, but not especially warm. I only spoke to her once, and she was very polite to me. Just seemed introverted, you know? A lot of actors and performers are surprisingly introverted when they're not "on". Her husband always caused a stir when he came by the set because he was insanely handsome. I don't know anything about her as a person, but it was sad when the show was cancelled (poor ratings). I'll always love what I saw of her work on the Dick Van Dyke and the Mary Tyler Moore shows.
I saw her once on the Upper East Side. A homeless man was literally lying on the sidewalk and he saw her and yelled, "Mary! I always loved you!" She came over to him, smiling, and had a conversation with him. I know she was complicated (as we all are) but I don't think another celebrity would be this gracious.
I see my Mom every time I hear this ! Thankfully she is still here in 2020 and when I do hear this I call her and tell her how much I love her and how much I appreciated her struggles in the 70’s after the divorce. Like this show, back then it was a lot like that for my mom, She had to make it on her own without a husband and she did it all very well. Many of the stories written for the show could be applied to real life struggles back then and it was easy to relate to it. I suppose that is a large reason the show lasted so long and is still liked today.
Timeless! The composers and writers of the show where ahead of their time even today it’s catching! Because of this show and then he like it when I grow up I am now in the film business myself
How the world has changed since 1970 especially life in America . I remember walking down Howard Street in Baltimore city in the late 60s and early 70s when I was a kid. All the major department stores were there. Today you would take your life in your own hands by walking down Howard Street and all the stores are gone snd boarded up . Probably one of the most dangerous areas in America today.
I once heard that the 'hat toss' was totally improvised by Mary. They may have had to film it again, to 'get it right' with the twirl, 'slo mo', etc., but they liked it so much, they left it in ! RIP Mary. A wonderful actress.
minnbeef Mary shouldn't have been wearing fur at all, since she was a supporter of numerous charities that help animals. There is nothing glamorous about wearing fur.
Miki Osep - It was during the time she was doing this show that MTM's attitude towards wearing fur changed and she consequently never wore it again......
Agreed best version of the opening song. Change was requested by producers for 2nd season because they felt Mary had established herself and lyrics no longer applied. But hat toss remained for each season.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u1uOlxM84iE.html This opening is crystal clear and it must be from a DVD. I think this is the first episode from September 19, 1970.
The "Mary Tyler Moore Show" opening was, indeed, one of my favorites, but I also admired & loved the opening themes for "Dallas", "Knots Landing" and "Laverne & Shirley". What the heck happened to theme song openings nowadays? Boggles the mind....
* Notice the original lyric for the first season: "You MIGHT just make it after all.", was changed to "you're GONNA make it after all", apparently when the show was renewed for a second season.... of course other lyrics were changed/added as well, and the musical arrangement got more 'fleshed-out'...
I always wondered about that. I grew up visiting Chicago relatives in the 60's and her look was classic. Hair style, glasses, scarf...all my aunts looked like that😁.
Grew up watching this! Was amazed by her character’s independence and work ethic! I miss the 70’s! Saturday nights our set was always tuned in to Mary and the crew! On my bucket list is traveling to Minneapolis to visit the outside filming locations! Does anyone know of an actual tour or guide? Bought my airline ticket for December! My birthday month! Although it will be cold, I am all in!❤🎉
The opening montage for the show was done by Reza Badiyi, an Iranian-born American film and television director. His credits also include developing the quick spilt editing opening montages for Mission: Impossible & Hawaii Five-O. One of the greatest openings for a TV show of all times...although, IMHO, the one for the The Bob Newhart show is a close second for me.
I think Mary Tyler Moore was one of the first women who's character taught us that women can be strong (i.e. living on her own and standing up for herself with her boss and others), kind , sensitive, and intelligent G-d bless her. I do so hope she is in a happy place
i never really seen the show but seen the opening parodied since i was like 9 years old (on family guy etc). The theme makes me cry almost because i ran away briefly when i was 13 to chicago to stay with a much much older guy and legit thought about starting my own life there. I eventually flew home. but even now several years later...this hits me. I WANNA start somewhere with ZERO money, get out of my stupid rich parents house and MAKE IT ON MY OWN. i feel drive alone could make that happen
Let’s go back! Back to a much much better time without all this technology taking our lives away because people don’t understand ‘ within reason’. The 70’s and even the 80’s ’s were a great time to live and I think the last decades that forced us to have patience. Nothing was really instant back then. We had to wait for movies to come on in the evenings each weeknight and Sunday everything , even gas stations, were closed forcing you to go to church (even though we did not like to go as kids) and having a big dinner that we all , including my beloved grandparents enjoyed that my mom made. Sunday was a lot like Thanksgiving is today. Yes ! This new world is out of control in so many ways. I mean they want to take away our speech, our words, our religion and so on.... it’s sad, but I am glad I grew up then and experienced it...
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day And suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it's you, girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it Love is all around no need to fake it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all Love is all around no need to fake it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all How will you make it on your own? This world is awfully big, and girl, this time you're all alone But it's time you started living It's time you let someone else do some giving Love is all around no need to fake it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're the one most likely to succeed Just be sure to keep your head, 'cause girl, you know that's all you need Everyone around adores you Don't give up, the world is waiting for you Love is all around no need to waste it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all Love is all around no need to waste it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all Love is all around no need to waste it You can have the town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after al
That’s the theme from the second season on. This one starts “How will you make it on your own. This world is awfully big and girl this time your all alone. But it’s time you started living it’s time you let someone else do some giving. Love is all around, etc.
Yeah, I'll say one thing. She put a lot of Folks To Work. The White Shadow & St. Elsewhere where done through her Production Company. A lot of amazing Talent came from that show as well as others.
Thanks for posting this video opening of one of my favorite programs from the 1970's and I am sure those that got caught up in the scenes in this opening are all famous now. Thats Great !
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it’s you girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don’t you take it You’re gonna make it after all You’re gonna make it after all
How will you make it on your own? This world is awfully big, girl, this time you're all alone But it's time you started living It's time you let someone else do some giving Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it? You might just make it after all For seasons 2-7, this became: Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well, it's you, girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have the town, why don't you take it? You're gonna make it after all
My mother loves this series. I was in the 8th grade when it premiered and then with syndication and the DvDs, I honestly cannot remember this series NOT being played at her house. I always liked this version of the theme song. Does anyone know why it was changed?
Dennis Nayland Smith - The lyrics in the first season theme reflect a hopeful outlook on the future of the show's main character with regards to making it on her own. By the start of the second season, the lyrics were changed to indicate that Mary had indeed "made it" on her own.
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Well it's you girl, and you should know it With each glance and every little movement you show it Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after all How will you make it on your own? This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone But it's time you started living It's time you let someone else do some giving Love is all around, no need to waste it You can have a town, why don't you take it You're gonna make it after all You're gonna make it after all
No city has ever loved and "owned" a fictional tv series as Minneapolis/St Paul..the Twin Cities..as loved TMTMS!...from the south..KC...we are envious...(but much more conservative)
Ok I have been obsessed I mean obsessed with two tjings sonce I was 7 years old ( I'm 55 now) , this opening credits video and the woman at the very end of this video right underneath the name James and the name Allen. Its at the very end. She's wearing a blue scarf around her big hair, tan trench coat, white gloves and her purses around her left arm looking at Mary like she's crazy
The first season song lyrics and opening montage seemed sad to me. Innocent girl leaves the comforts of life as she had known for cold, blustery Minneapolis to find herself. By the time of the third season opening, when she seems more confident, and things are going well, I feel less sorry for her.
I remember watching this Opening Sequence and feeling so scared for her but I didn't realize she was going to another town. In later years Minneapolis, MN. would have a cult following. The Minneapolis Sound lead by Prince, Fargo, and it's the Birthplace of Charles Schultz.
Yep. Paul Williams was not affiliated with the show at all. The show’s conductor was Patrick “Pat” Williams. The two are often confused for each other due to their similar-sounding names.
Awesome!..you can tell it was 1970...by the Post Boxes..they still had the logo ..I don't remember..of the cabinet level Post Office Department..a horse of the Pony Express..not the eagle of the 1971 U.S. Postal Service
If this show ever aired in 1969 then this would be it: *ding!* *dong!* *ding!* Voiceover: CBS Presents this program in color! *25 ding dongs plays fast* *music* How will you make it on your own? *music* Who can take a nothing day, And suddenly make it all seem worth while. *insert line of season 1 intro theme here* *also insert another one here* You showed it. Love is all around no need to waste it, You can *insert lyric here* so why don't you take it. You might just make it after all. *Very bombastic music* You might just make it after all. Voiceover: Produced by MTM Enterprises. Mimsie: Meow!
Why does the opening make her to appear much younger she looks like a teenage or a young women but on the episodes her age really shows. I mean in the season 1 intro she looks 18 or 21 but on the actual episodes she looks her age which is 34.
@@michaelramsey82 There was an episode where she's at the Ford dealership having it serviced, but I don't recall if it was shown. That episode featured a then-unknown Craig T. Nelson (later starring in "Coach") as a mechanic who had a crush on Mary.
I believe you. I think that it was the same type of Car that Julian Kaye rented in American Gigolo when he wrecked his Mercedes to find the Jewels that were planted in his car when he was framed for a Murder.
