Classic TV Theme: Flipper

Ivan Tors made several well-remembered 50s sci-fi movies before he created the classic underwater adventure 'Sea Hunt'. His fascination with the ocean and with animals (he also created 'Daktari') combined to create 'Flipper', featured in two movies and this 1964 series. Ricou Browning (who was the 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' and experienced in underwater photography) was instrumental in both the films and the series. Brian Kelly played a park ranger at a Florida marine preserve, with two sons, Sandy and Bud. Many stars of the past (Huntz Hall) and the future (Martin Sheen) appeared over the series' three seasons. The familiar theme song is by Henry Vars and William Dunham. Three decades after the show left the air, a sequel series aired with Bud all grown up and now a marine researcher. But that's another story. 0:00 Original theme, intro card, and end titles; used throughout the series, except for... 1:43 Revised arrangement, used in season two. They jazzed it up, changed the lyrics, and had Sinatra's accompanist (Frankie Randall) do the vocals, but viewer reaction was so strong that after five episodes they brought the original back.