Thanks for posting this! That whistled main title music (by Harry Robinson) still brings a chill down my spine. My favorite episode: Matakitas is Coming, which has one shock so frightening and unexpected I almost jumped out of my skin.
Been looking for this for yonks ... wonderful stuff ... although I was only 8 at the time I seem to recall the end 'titles' version of the theme was longer and creepier than the start ... A classic that deserved a longer production run and better promotion than it received. While Hammer 'Don't Watch ALone' and original 'Twilight Zone' had better transition 'slots' and bigger budgets, you were genuinely scared by ITU .
This is not the original opening to the show. The original was during the day, all grey and overcast and all you heard was the whistling and the clatter of the roller coaster. It was much creepier than this.
Sorry - just one more point: I recall the opening titles being soundtracked by intro footsteps as opposed to a heartbeat. This may well have been an English post-production insert. In any event, thank you, Spockvideo. Fantastic TV history for the collectors of rarity, cult viewing and trivia.
SO glad to have found this - these opening titles scared the shit out of me when I was young. There is a key to why the opening titles say "in color" as opposed to "in colour" - Journey to the Unknown was a 20th Century Fox/Hammer films (UK) co-production and the majority US $ stake meant an original release as 4 feature length films comprising twinned episodes. "Somewhere in a crowd" is still the best overall episode in my view, although "Manniquin" is still the best acted one.
HELP! If anyone out there has a copy of the episode called "Matakitas Is Coming", please, please post. It is deemed to be the best episode of the series. I saw it as a child about 32 years ago & it was terrifying.
although i am not certain it is my belief that none of this has survived unfortunately. It may have been used as a location for other movies and shows perhaps. pity, id love to go on that roller coaster now!
Is this the Battersea Fun Fair? I saw it in the 1962 film WRONG ARM OF THE LAW and I could swear the last bit opf the JTTU credits (with the rounded arches over the downhill ride) matches the "log flume" ride shown in the old film.
Apparently it is indeed Battersea fun fair which closed in 1974. Its a great intro. Ive not seen the film you mention but it could be the very place on the footage.
hey thanks Chris. one of those life long questions. thanks very much for putting that one to bed for me. might try and find some pics online of that fairground.
For months now, I've been trying to remember the name of this tv show I watched when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I only remember the rollercoaster scene at the beginning and the 'Matakitias Is Coming' episode. I also remember it scared the hell out of me...lol Thanks for posting it.
I love this when it originally aired in 1968 through early 1969. I had a portable TV in my room and would curl up in the dark and get spooked by this eerie show!
I've been looking for a recording of this obscure TV show's haunting theme music (the only thing I can remember of the show) for years. Never thought I'd hear it again. Thank you, spockvideo.
i remember the heartbeat and initial whistling at the beginning..this was during the summer of 1969 and, if memory serves correctly, Wednesdays @9:30 p.m. on ABC...if you have any more on this show, please post..would like to see a complete episode...
This theme and the theme from Tales of the Unexpected (US version from Quinn Martin) are my favorite themes. I also have it posted in my videos. Check it out.
I loved this show and was delighted to see it get a DVD release, brought back many memories, at a time when I thought it had been consigned to the vaults, never to return. Fabulous theme as well, scares me more than any amount of gore! Thanks, Illuminatta!
Thanks for posting this! That whistled main title music (by Harry Robinson) still brings a chill down my spine. My favorite episode: Matakitas is Coming, which has one shock so frightening and unexpected I almost jumped out of my skin.
miramamimira 1 year ago
I'm scared to go to bed now!
likeymikey1 1 year ago
wow no one knows about insomnium apparently
MrFreeman420 1 year ago
Been looking for this for yonks ... wonderful stuff ... although I was only 8 at the time I seem to recall the end 'titles' version of the theme was longer and creepier than the start ... A classic that deserved a longer production run and better promotion than it received. While Hammer 'Don't Watch ALone' and original 'Twilight Zone' had better transition 'slots' and bigger budgets, you were genuinely scared by ITU .
FoolOfGods 1 year ago
This is not the original opening to the show. The original was during the day, all grey and overcast and all you heard was the whistling and the clatter of the roller coaster. It was much creepier than this.
thesaratonin 1 year ago
Lady Lilllian absolutely on the ball. Nice one.
flashtheoriginal 2 years ago
Sorry - just one more point: I recall the opening titles being soundtracked by intro footsteps as opposed to a heartbeat. This may well have been an English post-production insert. In any event, thank you, Spockvideo. Fantastic TV history for the collectors of rarity, cult viewing and trivia.
flashtheoriginal 2 years ago
SO glad to have found this - these opening titles scared the shit out of me when I was young. There is a key to why the opening titles say "in color" as opposed to "in colour" - Journey to the Unknown was a 20th Century Fox/Hammer films (UK) co-production and the majority US $ stake meant an original release as 4 feature length films comprising twinned episodes. "Somewhere in a crowd" is still the best overall episode in my view, although "Manniquin" is still the best acted one.
flashtheoriginal 2 years ago
Matakitas Is Coming is about a woman locked in a library, I used to have it on video till about 8 years ago and someone taped over it,
dalekshire 2 years ago
I have the complete series on DVD excellent quality, uncut, excellent menus.
spockvideo 2 years ago
HELP! If anyone out there has a copy of the episode called "Matakitas Is Coming", please, please post. It is deemed to be the best episode of the series. I saw it as a child about 32 years ago & it was terrifying.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
Biancibuono 2 years ago
Hi Spockvideo
although i am not certain it is my belief that none of this has survived unfortunately. It may have been used as a location for other movies and shows perhaps. pity, id love to go on that roller coaster now!
ATVmidlandsUK
ATVmidlands5581 2 years ago
Is this the Battersea Fun Fair? I saw it in the 1962 film WRONG ARM OF THE LAW and I could swear the last bit opf the JTTU credits (with the rounded arches over the downhill ride) matches the "log flume" ride shown in the old film.
LShackley 2 years ago
Hi
Apparently it is indeed Battersea fun fair which closed in 1974. Its a great intro. Ive not seen the film you mention but it could be the very place on the footage.
cheers
ATVmidlandsUK
ATVmidlands5581 2 years ago
I do believe you are all correct. Are any of the rides still standing?
spockvideo 2 years ago
Creepy title sequence with the empty fairground ; its ghostly without people i wonder why ?
kenfig 2 years ago
anyone know where these fairground shots were filmed? great intro to a classic series.
ATVmidlandsUK
ATVmidlands5581 2 years ago
Battersea Park which was closed in 1974
chrisbonebrankin 2 years ago
hey thanks Chris. one of those life long questions. thanks very much for putting that one to bed for me. might try and find some pics online of that fairground.
cheers
ATVmidlandsUK
ATVmidlands5581 2 years ago
Anyone who likes this should check out the theme from the other great Brian Clemens show "Thriller" (1974)
lewisner 2 years ago
Fantastic opening theme. Morriconesque.
kitsch2spacea 2 years ago
For months now, I've been trying to remember the name of this tv show I watched when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I only remember the rollercoaster scene at the beginning and the 'Matakitias Is Coming' episode. I also remember it scared the hell out of me...lol Thanks for posting it.
Petrah065 2 years ago
I love this when it originally aired in 1968 through early 1969. I had a portable TV in my room and would curl up in the dark and get spooked by this eerie show!
2nicks 2 years ago
I've been looking for a recording of this obscure TV show's haunting theme music (the only thing I can remember of the show) for years. Never thought I'd hear it again. Thank you, spockvideo.
AristotleKoole 3 years ago
i remember the heartbeat and initial whistling at the beginning..this was during the summer of 1969 and, if memory serves correctly, Wednesdays @9:30 p.m. on ABC...if you have any more on this show, please post..would like to see a complete episode...
grhdanny 3 years ago
I remember this show. The music is funny - it starts out all creepy, then turns into something that would fit in a 007 movie! LOL
Illuminatta 3 years ago 2
This theme and the theme from Tales of the Unexpected (US version from Quinn Martin) are my favorite themes. I also have it posted in my videos. Check it out.
spockvideo 2 years ago
@Illuminatta
I loved this show and was delighted to see it get a DVD release, brought back many memories, at a time when I thought it had been consigned to the vaults, never to return. Fabulous theme as well, scares me more than any amount of gore! Thanks, Illuminatta!
Scenester1964 1 year ago