T.H.E. Cat Theme by Lalo Schifrin

More about Schifrin and his work for film and television—including the famous theme he composed for Mission: Impossible—can be found here.

Mr. Lucky Theme by Henry Mancini

TV series opening and full Mancini theme below.

M Squad Theme by Count Basie

“Dragged Net,” Mad magazine, May 1954

With artwork by Will Elder. Click on the images for enlargements.

Dragnet, 1951 TV Intro

This familiar crime drama’s brass and tympani theme music, titled “Danger Ahead,” was composed by Walter Schumann.

Honey West #1, Gold Key Comics, 1966

Johnny Staccato (1960)

Johnny Staccato, by “Frank Boyd,” aka Frank Kane (Gold Medal, 1960); cover art uncredited. A tie-in novel inspired by the 1959-1960 TV series Staccato.

Peter Gunn: The Novel

In an excellent article for the Summer 2010 edition of Mystery Scene magazine, author Lawrence Block wrote that “The Blake Edwards TV show, Peter Gunn, was clearly inspired by [Henry] Kane’s series of books about one Peter Chambers, though Kane never got any official credit.” Kane did, however, receive a cover byline for this 1960 Dell paperback original, Peter Gunn.

Peter Gunn: The Comic Book

Peter Gunn (Dell Four Color Comics, #1087, 1960). Only one issue was published.

Peter Gunn Theme by Henry Mancini

Crank up the volume!

“These Gunns for Hire,” Time, Oct. 26, 1959

To read Time’s full cover story, click here.