Simon Park Orchestra - Crown Court closing theme

[cyberskin1]

so haunting and sad..

[fmecantfindaname]

Sad little number. Happy little memories.

[vwt4swb]

2.08 is Honor Blackman, not Jill Gasgoine. 2.28 is Mark Eden, not John Duttine. Great memories. Used to watch this if I had a day off school.

[pcaminador1]

as a number of others have said commented this is so very reminiscent of a rare day off school with a drummed-up cold or half-term. There was a more dramatic opening theme tune but I prefer this, very poignant

[chevyvictor]

yer so true. we had CC here in New Zealand mid 70s. id stay home from skool sick and watch the soaps with grandparents

[BigDon62]

I also knew another theme for Crown Court, not able to find it here, but this is a wonder piece of music & well remember it.

[Gullboy]

@BigDon62 The opening theme to Crown Court is the beginning of the fourth movement of Sinfonietta by Leos Janacek.

[BigDon62]

@Gullboy It is indeed a beautiful piece & reminds me of the Tranquility Of Englishness, but I'm sure Crown Court also had another for it's intro, sort of a baroque trumpet voluntary. It is many years since I've seen it, not even on Pay TV here as far as I know.

[Gullboy]

@BigDon62 This here is the closing theme. The fourth movement of Sinfonietta is the one with the trumpets. I tried to post a link here but you tube wouldn't let me. I suggest you search you tube for Janacek Sinfonietta 4th Movement and you'll find the piece of music you are thinking of.

[BigDon62]

@Gullboy {1 of 2} Yes thank you so much for that, I've just had a listen at "Kabuli/Janacek Sinfonietta 4th and 5th movements" & your spot on, the piece starts with the very theme I remembered from Crown Court. Although Distant Hills is a beautiful piece of music I've always thought it a little inappropriate for a program such as Crown Court.

[BigDon62]

@Gullboy {2 of 2} If a case ended in acquittal I suppose it could be considered somewhat appropriate as it carries a feel of angelicness & tranquility, emotions a re-emancipated man might feel amongst others. Must admit I feel the Janacek Sinfonietta 4th Movement you found more appealing & more appropriate for The Queen's Courts as even the threat of a man's incarceration requires a more melancholy & sharper theme.

[pickledpork]

me too.

[TheTWIX0]

used to watch this in the 70's when waggin school , it was pretty good from wot i remember..

[MrDayday58]

I've had the single since 1972/3, when it was released. Oh cut off before the end of the piece.

[loki12666]

Ahh this takes me back. You will only know this tune if you used to skive off school.

[gratecourt]

Or came home for dinner (lunch if you're down south) and lived close enough to bomb back after.

[KaduFlyer222]

@ 45rpmSINGLES & krakenwave

2:38 is John Hurt. Way, way before Colin Firth.

[blade0954]

luvly tune"distant hills"its on the album"cult fiction royal" which i had,alas it was stolen from my car at the notorious durham-tees valley airport,i have replaced it,thankfully,the airport staff told me to use another airport if i didnt like it,finally ive found a replacement

[locorojo25]

oh god that takes me back to when i was about 4, all my big brothers and sisters were at school and it was just me and my mum. jesus amazing how music can do that 2 u. hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. didnt emmerdale or somethin used 2 be on just b4 this or after it, after rainbow hahahaha

[Glenn1967ful]

Why can't ITV make high quality shows like this now instead of reality piffle and cheap rubbish like You've Been Framed?

[BNCA70]

bloody hell this takes me back to the days when I had a day off school and this was on. In the 70s we only had 3 channels.Blyme, I think this was on before or after pipkins or something. Then there was a break til around 3pm when playschool and clapperboard etc all came on. Wow, evocative stuff eh.

[paulus842000]

brings back memorys from when I was small

[AdiHH]

2:08 is Honor Blackman, not Jenny Seagrove.

[KaduFlyer222]

I am a mature, masculine guy of 50, but right now I have tears in my eyes, weeping for my lost youth, which this amazing tune has brought back again as if it were yesterday. You're so right, Murihiku - YouTube can be a very strange experience sometimes. Thank you, 45rpm, for posting this great tune after all these years. But I can hardly believe I'm the only one who recognised the wonderful John Hurt - admittedly in a painfully awful wig - at 2:38. Call yourselves tv freaks..? :)

[KaduFlyer222]

I'm a mature, masculine 50 year old guy, but right now I have tears in my eyes, weeping for my lost youth which this amazing, beautiful tune has conjured back again as if it were yesterday. You're so right, Murihiku - YouTube can be a very, very strange experience at times. Thank you so much, 45rpm, for posting this. I also can't believe that no one but me recognises the wonderful John Hurt - admittedly in a painfully awful wig - at 2:38. Call yourselves tv freaks ? :)

[TomthatiscalledTom]

Suddenly I am 8 and at home having faked the symptoms gastric flu......about to suddenly improve once the other kids on our road got home and went out to play

[generalzorn]

The opening titles featured a very short extract from Janacek's Sinfonietta (4th movement). I was going to post a link to a 3min promo from Sky's LegalTV which showed the intro sequence, but since I found it yesterday it now randomly links to something completely different... Just goes to show the power of music - 30 secs worth lodged in memory from nearly 30 years ago, triggered when I just happened to hear the Sinfonietta in the background on the radio...

[Littleswamp1]

Crikey! Talk about a rogues gallery! All these famous faces that appeared in Fulchester Crown Court earning a living through bit parts before hitting the big time! Robert Powell, Pauline Quirke, Liz Dawn, I could go on! But I wont!!!

[Glenn1967ful]

Back in the days when daytime didn't mean Jeremy Kyle or Neighbours. Crown Court was a very well made show for daytime.

[radderschap]

I agree!

[Marillionboy]

@Glenn1967ful Absolutely right. Though I must say I have been delighted at how recently, and without much recognition, BBC1 has started to deliver some first class daytime drama that isn't the usual wishy washy "it's only daytime" drama equivalent of muzak. Land Girls was rather lovely but the single dramas called Moving On were frequently stunning. It says alot that they have been repeated in a post Ten O Clock News slot on BBC1. More of this to come I hope!

[Glenn1967ful]

@Marillionboy

I think there should be some decent drama in daytime as there are millions of people at home during the day.

[marklondon71]

Wonderful to hear this again after so many years, but you cut the last couple of seconds - what a shame!!

[WILKO50]

I remeber a different theme tune then this one

[marklondon71]

Remember this is the closing theme, the opening theme is different..

[lillabethsmum]

This always played at then end credits, you're right there was a different one at the opening. gosh i must have been about 5 or six when this on

[filthybaggage]

It's all available on DVD - amazing!

[Flockton77]

I prefer the dish @ 2:40...

[tinaturntable]

Anyone know the name of the dish @ 1:32?

[45rpmSINGLES]

I think it is an actor called David Neal who played a recurring character called Jonathan Fry QC in 36 episodes from 1972 to 1984.

Sadly for you he died in 2000

[tinaturntable]

: (

[Marillionboy]

@45rpmSINGLES Jonathan Fryb was actually a different character played by the brilliant and still swith us Bernard Gallagher.

[45rpmSINGLES]

@Marillionboy -  The barrister Jonathan Fry was originally played by David Neal who`s photo I believe is in the clip ( episode Doctor`s Neglect ) . When the barrister reappeared therafter he was played by Bernard Gallagher .

[TheEctomorph]

@Marillionboy Yes, that is correct. Mr Gallagher is an accomplished and well-known TV actor, who has appeared in many different drama series over the years. I can recall him playing a hospital consultant called Ewart Plimmer in the BBC1 TV medical drama "Casualty", back in 1986/87.

As regards "Crown Court", the ITV legal drama which began in 1972 and ran until 1984 or thereabouts, I can vividly recall this programme from my childhood and teenage years. I found it to be compulsive viewing.

[edmund184]

@45rpmSINGLES Pretty sad for him too.

[anglosimon]

@tinaturntable Pauline Quirk

[simonspiers]

Track name is Distant Hills

[Enferushostis]

Correct simonspiers, it was also the "B" side to van der valk´s eye level. I´ve still got it :)

[j1o2h3n4n5y]

Great theme. Pity it's about scum and moneymaking leaches. And the defendants arn't much cop either.

[mutinyonthekitkat]

This show would definitely work now.

[lincsposter]

Look at the faces of the cast! Almost everyone known to us now! Thanks for the emails to those who agree this is the new ITV voting show! Would blow the BBC out of the water! Will ITV wake up? or will they have this show stolen?

[lincsposter]

ITV are so sad! This is the new TV voting show! Show 2 episodes and then get the public to phone in on the guilty/not guilty numbers! Loads of ITV stars made their debuts on this show PLEASE bring it back in the 21st Century ITV! Music was EXCELLENT well done to the entire Simon Park Orchestra!

[lycan1oo]

oh bring back those school lunch times in the 80s

[biddyficationprocess]

I used to find this music really depressing and grown-up, I probably wanted scooby-do on or something. Now I find it really moving, and half expect to hear the voiceover they had at the end saying something like "Gary Bloke was found innocent of nicking crisps and is now a plumber"

[Voxac100b]

Actor John Alkin aka Daniels from The Sweeney at 0.39 to the right of the main shot.

[haveagoodweek]

well spotted that boy.

wasnt he the one who used to pull carters birds when they were on stake out.

[Voxac100b]

Yes thats right and he did so in an episode called One of your own..... I think he gave up acting in the mid 80s. Sweeney is my fav programme

[haveagoodweek]

Have a biscuit on the house.

Sounds like you are as nostalgic as i am on seventies TV.

John Alkin played mr Barry Deakin QC in several episodes of crown court.

[nasilemak2008]

One of the greatest TV themes ever. Beautiful and brings back memories of afternoons spent with my mother......

[locorojo25]

@nasilemak2008 oh god same here

[jboweruk]

@nasilemak2008 Just so you know (and I know this is an ancient post) the tune is called 'Distant HIlls'.

[radio53]

@nasilemak2008 I have a similar memory too :-)

[WilliamstownTim]

Andrew Cruickshank 0.23 & 2.48 ? 0.33 Liz Dawn 0.43 Ben Kingsley 0.53 Bob Hoskins 1.03 Patrcia Routledge 1.13 ? 1.28 Pauline Quirke 1.38 Robert Powell 1.48 Keith Barron 1.58 Jill Gascoigne 2.08 Bill Treacher 2.18 John Duttine 2.28 ? 2.38

[Voxac100b]

2.28 is Not John Duttine it's Mark Eden aka Alan Bradley from Corrie I'm stumped with the last actor I can't place him. 2.08 is Honor Blackman. I think the actor at 1.28 is called David Neal.

[45rpmSINGLES]

2:38 is a young Colin Firth

[Voxac100b]

Your right he played PC Franklin in 1984.

[mlovet100]

@45rpmSINGLES 2.28 is Mark Eden.

[mlovet100]

2.08 is Jenny Seagrove

[mlovet100]

@WilliamstownTim 2.08 is Jenny Seagrove

[mlovet100]

2.08 is Jenny Seagrove

[krakenwave]

@WilliamstownTim

2.38 looks like the late Richard Warwick (Sebastiane and A Fine Romance)

[acesigma06]

@WilliamstownTim 2.28 is infact Mark Eden who went onto play Alan Bradley

[haveagoodweek]

@WilliamstownTim

Hi just a small correction. 2.28 is Mark Eden. Great Actor

Famous for playing Alan Bradley (mind the tram) In Coronation Street

[chatham43]

@WilliamstownTim ...not John Duttine....hes a British actor who appeared in many sixties British films.....cant recall his name................

[Marillionboy]

@chatham43 Its Mark Eden, best known as Alan Bradley in Coronation Street. Amazing series, with a stunnning roll of writers and actors. It was an ingenious way of tackling very tough and controversial subjects in a format that engaged a huge audience.

[jasonc39]

spotted Honor Blackman (the avengers, goldfinger, coronation street) at 2.08 and Mark Eden (Alan Bradley in coronation street) at 2.28. This should be brought back to TV, replacing an episode of corrie each week. All the famous faces that would queue up to appear on it - mostly ex-soap stars.

[anstonian]

LOVELY TUNE.

[murihiku]

Ouch--the nostalgia for someone born in 1970--the music most unexpectedly yanked TEARS into my eyes! YouTube can be a very strange experience.

[WolfriksWorld]

I know exactly what you mean - a very powerful nostalgia jolt, suddenly I'm a 7 year old, looking forward 30 years.

[Balticmania]

Did the printer run out at 2:28?

[dodshaun]

robert powell looks like a gay geography teacher

[markiechops]

As a gay geography teacher, I take great exception to your comments; my wardrobe is much more exciting than that.

[dodshaun]

hey like your style.

Lets face it time has been kind to good old bob.

[waiting4george]

fancy teaching me where my g-spot is?

[markiechops]

Only when you've finished your "O" Levels!

[waiting4george]

I finished em 24 years ago!....is "O" a euphanism? ;-)

[trentmuch1]

@markiechops

Who wouldn't be 'gay'? When explaining the wonders of the Indian Ocean to underprivileged chilluns.

[krakenwave]

Pauline Quirke at 1.38

[mutinyonthekitkat]

I dimly remember this from schooldays afternoons when I was off sick. I recently bought some 1970s TV series on DVD to watch for the first time since. Upstairs Downstairs was for me as disappointingly boring as I found it as a young kid. But Crown Court is excellent. Every case is absorbing with interesting characters that you gradually learn more about. Because the court system hasn't changed over the years the programme hasn't dated - apart from the 1970s style clothes worn by the jury.

[HayabusaSenToTai]

Oh Lord! I must be really old! I loved this series! :P

[BNCA70]

yep - definitely a day off school! It was onbetween good stuff but if you were 5 as I was, Crown Court was my first ever experience of boring TV, I remember not understanding the long words they used. Like accused and defendant. ha. Pipkins was on at some point either before or after this.

[zaftra]

the theme is - distant hill by the simon park orchestra

[pdevine1959]

used to watch this 25 years ago, before i had 500 channels, great days

[newmark401]

Well, I recognised Bob Hoskins and Robert Powell (?) there, but there's certainly a lot of other familiar faces I just can't put a name to...

[krakenwave]

Bill Treacher (whatsisname Beale in Eastenders at 2.18) followed by Anthony Andrews

[newmark401]

Okay, now that I look at it again: Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth) at 0:48, followed immediately by Ben Kingsley and a thin-looking Patricia Routledge at 1:16, plus a few others I still can't put a name to.

[stormyguy02]

I love this music, i also love crown court as a tv programme.

[cutestrawberryflower]

ha this is ace and still comes on (:

[Balticmania]

PMSL

[BAABAABAA1]

Thank you so much for this post.

For the unaware I think the theme was called 'Far Remembered Hills' (as this was what the individual would think about when they were banged up)

I recall , when television was good, the afternoon line up was The Sullivans followed by One O'Clock news followed by Crown Court and then somewhere 'Farmhouse Kitchen' (another wicked theme). Where have these theme tunes gone ? So sad.Thanks for the memories - is this available on CD anywhere - does anyone know ?

[DasGiggler]

Its actually "Distant Hills" - Someone has got it for sale on on LP eBay #380068910621.

Ta.

[benlu123]

This always reminds me of skiving off school with a stomach ache or something as it was on at about 1pm during the early seventies!