FRED STEINER - THE BULLWINKLE SHOW

The versatile composer Fred Steiner died the other day (February 24, 1923 – June 23, 2011). Comedy fans might recognize the name from "The Bullwinkle Show." Fred wrote the theme song, which is a slightly cartoonish variation on the razzle-dazzle of typical show-biz variety music.

You can enjoy it below.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Steiner composed "Park Avenue Beat," a kind of dark bump-and-grind that suggested some of the forbidden low antics that the high-toned folk on the street enjoyed. It became the theme for 'Perry Mason.' Think about it...after the slow, menacing string introduction, the melody actually swings into an undulating, hip-swiveling bit of jazz. Take out that intro entirely, and you have a tune that rivals David Rose's "The Stripper." Perfect for the times Perry may have asked Della to show him more than legal briefs.

Among Steiner's other major musical credits…the incidental music for many episodes of "Star Trek," as well as episodes of "Hogan's Heroes" and "The Andy Griffith Show," and film scores including "Run for the Sun" and "The Color Purple." His daughter is singer-songwriter Wendy Waldman.

THE BULLWINKLE SHOW THEME