Kojak (Hard To Find 1977 5th Season Opening - Jumpy Video Quality, Good Sound Quality)

[MrChicago103]

Freaking awesome! I like this theme better than the theme they had most seasons, they just started showing this season on Me-TV.

[cristinaAndrisan]

I saw this extraordinary movie in my childhood,it was like a beautiful dream of freedom in communist times...

[klimber10001]

This is the intro I remember, KOJAK was Badass!

[wheatbull]

I LIKED THIS THEME BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL !

[kojakbangbang7]

KOJAK  bang bang ALL THE WAY TO 201 2 and beyond

[jocksmen]

VERY BEST OPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jocksmen]

CROCKER!!!! STAVROS!!!! SAPPERSTEIN!!!!

[RAKANKAN]

Beautiful Intro!! - I remember that John Davis did a Disco Version of this Theme.

[LB99971]

Dan Frazer (Cpt. McNeal) passed away two weeks ago (Dec. 16,2011) RIP Dan!

[joel1975]

Kojak is so badass.

[LB9997]

coo chee coo, baby.

[beatleman69]

Good ol' 1970s tv, I remember it growing, Emergency, ADAM-12, Trapper John MD. Rockford Files etc.....

[lavernemariebutler]

I really never cared for the bald look on guys (or women). But there is something so incredibly sexy about Telly Salvalas, it really has little or nothing to do with his hair or lack of it. I think he would have looked sexy in an old potato sack!

[lavernemariebutler]

I found KOJAK seasons 1-3 on HULU and now I am hooked! Some of the episodes I have already seen twice. Better than any cop show on tv right now!

[born2groove422]

I dont like the new theme. the orginal was much better

[ryoushii]

WTF was that? Thank god my dad died BEFORE they aired that opening, it would have killed him.

[umaga3501]

Good ol days...I really miss

[lavernemariebutler]

Are all these comments coming from the UK? well that doesn't surprise me. You Brits have always had good taste!!!

[lavernemariebutler]

THe big sound goes with this character. KOJAK was the cool, charismatic NYC cop

earthy and real. At a fake bone in his body! The city of New York was also a great character in this TV show. They don't (can't) make them like this anymore. too many geeks and nurds on TV and too many geeks and nurds running TV! The closest thiing to a KOJAK character i've seen lately is the Dennis Farina character in a very brief season of LAW AND ORDER to replace Jerry Orbach. But even Farina can't measure up.

[lavernemariebutler]

There was no mistaking who the star was in this TV show. Telly could be the only cop on screen and still hold your attention. It's called charisma.. You can't fake it. And looking at these old clips confirms, He still charms."Who loves ya, baby?" We do, Telly!

[lavernemariebutler]

Thank you so much for this!

[BBQFanNo1]

The Coolest Cop Show Ever from Day 1 when I first saw the Pilot Movie in March 1973 and TV Series Premier in October 1973!

[smithdsmit]

I should try to watch these shows .I was a little kid in the 70's and hated this show.I couldnt wait for it to get over. butnow i think id like it

[Tatumthirty2]

KOJAK !!!

[mssquirrely]

That was one sexy azz man! OuuuuuWeeeee "Kojak!!" I use to love this show.

[1959cypress]

kojak was ahead of his time.not to mention a bad ass.wish his type was around today.

[archiveking]

Seasons 4 and 5 are being released in the UK at the end of August 2011 - Great News!

[lavernemariebutler]

@archiveking I hope the pitiful tread in television programming today will be coming to an end soon. What will the style of t.v. be I wonder?

Hopefully similar to the likes of Kojak. But who can fill the shoes of Telly Savalas? his was a certain type you cannot invent.

The closest thing to Telly in style today would be Brian Dennehey, who is now too old to play this character type convincingly. unless they find a new comer, we won't being seeing the likes of Savalas ever again. Alas..

[14jwh]

remember when NYC was so dangerous and out of control and the episode when Kojak's nephew is a junky and his friend steals Kojak's camera at a family party so they can hock it and shoot up drugs...then he is kicking drugs and puking all over the place...makes basketball diaries look like a disney show, would love to see that episode and show it to all the young snots messing around with heroin, counselors should use it in rehab centers

[megamanj2004X]

I actually enjoyed this version of the '70s "Kojak" theme over the earlier ones, especially the S1 version, IMO.

[JESUS1John]

LISTEN TO JESUS

[Russell230870]

don't like this later theme but they don't make shows like this anymore and tv shows these day don't have crackin theme tunes like they used too either!

[brwnlady]

I agree. I absolutely loved this opening theme better than the first four seasons' theme. And the video is great.  Thanks for posting. Glad somebody feels the same way.

[farnumbp]

Thanks for posting this. I remember when this was on tv back in the 70's . I haven't heard this version of the theme in 30 years . I am getting old :(

[1869Joner]

I had the Kojak Corgi toy car.

[MichaelJackson0o]

Wasn't that guy a James Bond villian?

Do you have the episode of Kojak where Christopher Walken appears?

[Lfdjake91]

@MichaelJackson0o Yes, he did play 007's arch fore Ernst Blowfeld in 1 of the Bond movies.

[MERVskilton]

Happy Birthday Telly Savalas aka KOJAK, born on this 21st day of January in 1922 to 22nd January 1994 R.i.P ~ i loved this 1970s crime drama when i was a kid :-)

[Spencer0401]

Oh, that's what I have wanted to see this opening! This is the cooler than the original intro. Every cop TV show started this series. Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue.... Thank you for posting it!!

[MohawkRacetrack]

One of the best theme songs of all time!

[MohawkRacetrack]

One of the best TV theme's of all time!!

[DrGlitterhouse]

Thanks for posting this. John Cacavas' theme isn't as good as Billy Goldenberg's (it reminds me of the theme to "Vegas"), but I only this theme once before, when I watched the beginning of "Summer of '69, Part 2" on a Saturday night when it originally aired.

[jd5503]

coolest cop ever!

[frankd1965]

@jd5503 Who loves ya baby????

[transitny]

I think this is a great opening. The sequence projects Kojak as a TV institution, even though the character hadn't been on for all that long. Too bad this opening was used for only a few episodes.

[poffy8888]

the shy boy, turned hot dude !

[jmarcguy]

I would but season 1 on DVD but have heard it's got freezing issues. Season 2 was released overseas I believe. Guess bootleg is it. Such a great show. Gritty & realistic but not as slow paced as many shows today.

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@jmarcguy i enjoyed it in the 70s right up through last year when i had a cable channel that showed it. unfortunatly, the company that owns the rights will not release it. best bet is to buy the bootlegs! which is why i will eventually do.

[2006Crusader2006]

@JimmyMVideoJukebox The complete series will be coming out in the U.K. go to amazon.uk andtake a look for yourself!

[frankd1965]

@JimmyMVideoJukebox from the final season 1977-1978. I sure wish there was the other episodes released. I sure like this classic cop show.

[frankd1965]

@JimmyMVideoJukebox Universal Home Video is the copyright holder of "Kojak"

[jmarcguy]

Can't someone please release this show on DVD????? All seasons!! Quality DVDs! Too young to enjoy this show in the 70s but found it in the 90s & was hooked!!

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@jmarcguy i enjoyed it in the 70s right up through last year when i had a cable channel that showed it. unfortunatly, the company that owns the rights will not release it. best bet is to buy the bootlegs! which is why i will eventually do.

[lavernemariebutler]

@JimmyMVideoJukebox Netflix has season one

[lavernemariebutler]

@jmarcguy Netflix

[paladin520]

Back when New York was New Yawk, garbage strikes, police strikes, firemen stikes, transit strikes and all the other bs. Now mid-town is owned by the Disney Company...yeah 42nd and B'way is cleaned up, but man it's missing a lot of the old spice! CROCKER!! Pass me a Tootsie Pop will ya!!!!!

[hermitage530]

This theme song is AWESOME!!! Been looking for it for years!! Thanx 4 posting it...don't EVER take it off please...it's a classic, just like the show and Telly Savalas himself.

[deleoa471]

their ant noo cop show ant better then this that what u call a true new york cop this is wayy better than fucking law and order bull shit and other cops tv show but kojak won it all very classic best show they still give it at 9 oclock in r tv best cop show i ever watch

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@deleoa471 agreed! today's excuse for cop shows are a joke..kinda like everything on tv now days. kojak was and is TRUE cop action/drama.

[poffy8888]

@deleoa471 u betcha dude ! with ya all the way........kids today, aint got shit what we had........

[jayrox40]

Sounds more like Charlies Angels! Lol!

[recordman64]

DAMN...this is one intro that certainly makes you aware of what you're watching and who the star is!

[jocksmen]

@recordman64 LOL..I LOVED THIS

OPENING WHEN I WAS A KID

LIVING IN THE UK WHERE

TELLY NOT(TV) WAS IDOLIZED.!!

GOOD STUFF....

[recordman64]

@jocksmen : Yep, you guys across the pond idolized Telly...his record was a huge hit over there!!

[lavernemariebutler]

@recordman64 Yes! No question about it! it fits. and Telly was as large as life as KOJAK. I would love it if this style of cop came back to TV

[ChopstickBrando]

bro, those are some TIGHT ass horns in the opening!

[sigvoice]

Lots of people criticized this opening theme because it leverages the disco music phenomenon. I have always liked it so thanks for posting.

[lavernemariebutler]

@sigvoice actually it fits perfectly with the times, the character, and the city! When I was a young girl, this was the New York I fell in love with. I knew where I wanted to be when i grew up. Lo and behold! I now live in Union City NJ just 15minutes from 42nd Street! Thanks Telly (and also Gene Hackman The French Connection) for inspiring my love of NYC!

[Cavillier1970]

thanks for posting. this was the better opening theme. actually I have saved to my computer this version, but its almost 3:00 long. I found it on a website for tv themes.

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@Cavillier1970 that's one of the 2 re-recordings Cacavas did in the 90s. both were a weaker/mellower rendition of this. unfortunatly, he never cut a long version of this original recording/arrangement.

[nafkinn]

This is my best opening and theme !! I have been a big big fan of Kojak.

Theo is broad-minded...he has purity and impurity as his own experience.

What a charming man you are!

[lavernemariebutler]

@nafkinn Tell me. Who do you think would make a good KOJAK style character today? I can only think of two actors who might be able to pull off this style: DENNIS FARINA and BRIAN DENNEHEY? But they are both a bit too old now. What is your opinion on that?

[lavernemariebutler]

@nafkinn Also listen to Sylvia robinson singing the same theme song. Perfect!

[FatherGrudgement2]

great!

[75torino]

I loved this version of the theme - I liked the others too, but perhaps because this one was so short lived, it sticks in the mind..I think I liked it because it was so fast paced.

Excellent find - saved to favourites!!

[jocksmen]

@75torino I LOVED THIS VERSION

WHEN I WAS A KID IN THE UK.!

[Baldenlong77]

Is there any TV show that didnt' "discofy" their theme song in the late Seventies?

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@Baldenlong77 hawaii five o and many others

[oztopgun]

Re the Kojak theme it sure brings back memories. Who wrote this one. Mike Post who often sub contracted his work! at times or perhaps Alan Silvestri ?? who knocked out the odd tune as well..Delta Force springs to mind!!!!

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@oztopgun it does almost have a Silvestri sound. This theme (the best one) was by John Cacavas.

[archiveking]

Mediumrare Entertainment are bringing the sets out in Europe on 10 April

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@archiveking knew it wasnt gonna be universal! ill def be buying em via imports! hopefully the rest will follow.

[charlie8575]

@archiveking Interesting. I've read that DVDs are different in different parts of the world. Will the European ones play in American DVD players? If the price isn't too high, I might look into getting these.

[archiveking]

@charlie8575 Yep Seasons 2 and 3 which I've recently bought are in Region 2 (Europe) format, so you would need a multi region dvd player to view these if you're in North America. I'd urge everyone to buy these sets (try Amazon UK) as the more they sell, the more chance we will get Seasons 4 and 5 too.

My only criticism of the discs is that they are not remastered and so the shows look a bit grainy and washed out, but they are a lot better than nothing!

[ATVmidlands5581]

JimmyMvideo

Thank you so much for posting this, ive looking for it for ages. Its my favourite Kojak theme buts its rarely seen or heard. Fantastic to see it and hear it again. takes me right back to saturday nights here in the UK on BBC1 in the late 70's. sheer bliss!! thanks a lot again, its made my day!

ATVmidlandsUK

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@ATVmidlands5581 had no idea bbc1 over there showed any of our shows back when. it was on a network we have called cbs at 10pm (i cant remember what day - i wanna say sunday!).

[lavernemariebutler]

@ATVmidlands5581 You Brits have always had good taste!

[ATVmidlands5581]

@lavernemariebutler

Thank you for your very kind comment :o)

We (UK) always enjoyed saturday nights on the BBC back then when we would have Classic American cops shows like Kojak on about 9pm. That music is wonderful. They dont make em like they used to!! BTW, I absolutely have adored my trips to the USA :o)

Thanks

ATVmidlandsUK

[mratfauver]

I like the John Cacavas theme better than the Billy Goldberg theme.

[ATVmidlands5581]

Hi Jimmy

yes indeed. BBC1 on saturday nights during the 70's brought us all those wonderful American cop shows, usually at about 9pm on saturdays. Cannon, Harry O, Kojak, Petrocelli, Starsky & Hutch, Ironside and many more. Good times!!

thanks again for the great intro which i remembered fondly.

ATVmidlandsUK

[oztopgun]

yes saturday nights then match of the day! Simpler easier times when life wasn't as tough as it is now and the tv wasn't reality rubbish

[ATVmidlands5581]

Hi Oz yep a classic line up and a time when TV had integrity. classic 70s BBC line for sat: 4.45 final score 5.10 News/weather 5.25 Pink Panther show 5.50 The Generation game 6.50 Saturday Night At The Movies: Voyage to the bottom of the sea. 8.30. Mike Yarwood Show 9.20 Kojak 10.15 News 10.25 Match of the day 11. 30 Cicle of Fear 12.20 Sgt Bilko closedown

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@ATVmidlands5581 Where's Doctor Who in the line up?? (another fave of mine)

Wasnt that Sat nights over there on BBC1? Or was that just how it was over here on PBS?

[ATVmidlands5581]

Jimmy

yes definately, Dr Who was a regular feature on BBC1 on saturday. the listing ive put up is obviosly when the good Dr took a break. It usually featured between 5-6pm.

cheers

Greg

[oztopgun]

you can substitute starsky and hutch and one or two others in there as well.

[ATVmidlands5581]

Hi Oz, yes your right it did vary a bit from time to time. starsky and hutch, cannon, kojak, Harry O, Petrocelli etc all featured in that slot. heres a variation on that saturday night BBC 1 line up. 12.30 Grandstand 4.45 final score 5.10 news/weather 5.20 The wonderful World of Disney 5.50 Dr Who 6.20 The Generation Game 7.20 Seaside Special 8.30 The Dick Emery Show 9.00 Frank Cannon 10.00 News 10.15 Match of the day 11.15 Parkinson 12.15 Closedown

[archiveking]

Seasons 2 and 3 are finally coming out in Regions 2 and 4 in April

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@archiveking your shittin me! what company is puttin em out?

[charlie8575]

I keep waiting for RTV to rerun the later Kojaks so I can hear this music. I do so wish Universal would get the other four seasons out on DVD. Thanks for posting.

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@charlie8575 I had RTV for a few months back in Nov & Dec, and they did run quite a bit of the 1977/78 season. They have about half of the final season in their archives.

Universal flat out said that there will never be any more Kojak releases.

Though, the really messed up thing is, they have digitaly remastered and prepared almost the entire series for DVD release (minus 2 or 3 episodes per season).

If your a member of Netflix, you can stream em online to watch in DVD quality.

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

@charlie8575

When I was a member of Netflix last year, that's actually where I captured this from with screen capture software (which is why the audio is amazing quality)

[icering09]

love the song on the kojax try i spy theme song to knight rider theme best back of the day song i hear in my life

[komodoman]

Diesel couldn't act his way out of a paper bag, let alone lift an icon like Kojak. The only guy that'd make any sense to try it with, who's good and varied enough an actor (and of Greek descent!) is Billy Zane. But for TV, no need to over-do it for the big screen, the original show's gritty enough. That awful Rhames remake's an insult, making an original Greek cop black, what a PC crap idea. This later TV intro is not bad, curiously fitting but too 'disco', a lot poorer than the classic theme.

[cam068]

I really enjoyed spending most of today playing this over and over again - it really gets me revved up!! The music, the scenes, Telly's warm smile, the lollipop in his mouth. sunglasses on his head, it all takes back to when I was a kid. I think this is very similiar music to Saturday Night Fever - these were the best days, even though I was to young to enjoy it then, I can enjoy it now!!

[Rockord79]

The only cop show where the detectives drove Buick Centurys I believe.

[simonellson]

wasn't it a Buick regal ?

[Rockord79]

It could have been, but looked like a lower trim level car with little trim and the dog dish hubcaps, which made me think Century, or Century custom. It looked a bit plain for a Regal, but I could be wrong.

[ChrisC1]

@Rockord79 I agree, they were Century's, 1974-5

[1Th1617]

I don't know which Kojak theme I like best!! Love both of 'em.

[moneyclaude2500]

Hands Down! The Greatest Police Drama Of All Time! KOJAK! Telly Savalas! Real Legend!

[1Th1617]

I love Telly Savalas. And I loved Kojak!!!

[RAKANKAN]

I know that there's a Disco Version of this song by John Davis & Monster Orchestra. Great song!! - Thanks.

[phillydisco]

Sylvia also recorded a vocal version entitled Lollipop Man. It's on youtube.

[EaglesMan36]

I don't know how I feel about this version. I liked the more "upbeat" version of the original theme.

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

"upbeat of the original theme"???? the original theme is slow, boaring and sounds like a late 1960s james bond/spy movie score lol

this one is upbeat and just jams!

[misterio2K]

Oh my GOD!!! Thank you, Thank you. I been looking for years for this one. This theme was before they cut off Kojak in the U.S. One can tell that was a very pre-disco orientated twist to the theme. Million and trillions of thanks JMVJ!

[AldoAlonso89]

que haceeees pelado koyak

[AldoAlonso89]

impecable!!

saludos desde Uruguay

[crownwhite]

I love it!!! I love it!!!! where did you get this.... awesome

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

i recorded a vid stream (with very shitty screen capture software as you can see) off netflix while i was watching a 5th season episode.

who knows why they'll release em for pay streaming and not on dvd..damn masses lol

[2008ljr]

I believe this was the last season. All the on location scenes we in LA not NY.

[akrivosdiavolos73]

Awesome intro.....Great Show ...Amazing actor, class, cool, charisma...and usually got the girl also........TV sucks today...

[robwuk]

Thank you very much for posting this.

I always thought it was the best Kojak intro by a long long way, and hadn't seen it for several years.

Here in the UK, ITV3 are currently showing Kojak each morning. They're on season 1 now - I hope they show them all the way through to season 5.

[ECWaxman]

I hope they bring Kojak to the BIG SCREEN, with Vin Diesel as the lead role!!! Make it as gritty as the TV show was, if not darker.

[EaglesMan36]

LOL......Vin Diesel......

Sadly, some movie exec would probably think that's a great idea.

[dakota975]

Season 1 had a slow theme to it, Season 2 they picked up the pace on it, but I seem to think there was even one other starting aside from this one, but similar to this one...I saw it only once, when a local channel was airing re-runs a few years back...

[JimmyMVideoJukebox]

all seasons 1 - 4 were all the same billy goldberg theme with ever so slight variations.

this great john cacavas theme was only used in the 5th (aka final) season.