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Theme Intro Sequence
Original Opening Credits
A Detective Genre Classic
The Barnaby Jones theme song, composed by Jeff Alexander, is a masterclass in 1970s television scoring. Alexander, who also worked on The Twilight Zone and The Wild Wild West, crafted a melody that balanced the gravitas of a crime investigation with the wisdom of the lead character. The theme is characterized by its driving brass section and rhythmic strings, a hallmark of Quinn Martin productions.
Barnaby Jones was originally introduced as a spin-off of sorts; Buddy Ebsen first appeared as the character in an episode of Cannon. The show follows an aging private investigator who comes out of retirement to find his son’s killer, eventually staying in the business with his daughter-in-law, Betty (Lee Meriwether). The series was notable for its “guest star of the week” format, featuring legendary actors like William Shatner, who appeared in the episode showcased in the intro sequence.