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The Peter Gunn series.


"Peter Gunn" always started out with a very dramatic opening sequence, which cut, at the height of tension, to the iconic titles and theme music.

They were all good, but there is one I remember in particular.

There was a man sitting on a bench at night, reading a newspaper. You don't see his face, because he's holding the newspaper up and the camera is opposite him. There's also a sniper/assassin? across the street, with a rifle. The scene builds up, assassin getting ready, man turning newspaper pages, camera closing in; then at the climax there's a gunshot and a bullet-hole appears in the paper, cue music.

In terms of attention-getting openings, it's brilliant, but I don't know the name of the episode.

Does anyone know it, by any chance?

Thanks.

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I also remember that opening very well, but in my memory the sniper had a crossbow and it was an arrow pierced the newspaper.

UPDATE: It was a crossbow! I found it on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aleKpgy2_5c

This shocker opening has been in my head for a l-o-o-o-ong time.

mf

Trust me. I’m The Doctor.

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Dang! Just shows how memory can play tricks. I could have sworn it was a rifle, and it was at night.

But that's the one, alright. Thanks a lot, Mike. :)

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I remember the jazzy music.

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Yep, it's great music. I loved the minimal "build-up" music as much as the main theme, too.

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Possibly the best music of any TV show. Henry Mancini. The album, Music from Peter Gunn, is classic and great. (The theme song is my ring tone.)

 Sometimes life is like asking strangers for directions to the Susquehanna Hat Company.

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