My heart melts thinking about that time when I was a boy in my Grandma's house on the south side of Chicago, ....I sat next to her and watched Family Classics movies every week !! I miss my Grandma !!!!!!
When I hear this I am flooded with childhood memories. I grew up in Chicago and when Family Classics aired (It only aired from fall into spring) I knew school was back in and autumn had come. Sunday afternoons were filled with the WGN lineup starting at three with "Classics" then "Space 1999" or "UFO" and then "The World at War" at six. Back in the days when there was only three networks, channels nine, thirty-two and forty four. On a good night you might catch a UHF channel out of Michigan. Frasier Thomas was a class act. He loved entertaining the kids and was always fun. From "Garfield Goose" every morning during the week to "Classics" on Sunday he was a rock that everyone I knew stood upon. He did the show all the way up to the day before he died despite being and looking terribly ill. He did for us. God bless.
+Tiberius Ceasar Those days! Sink the Bismarck, Moby Dick, Mysterious Island, etc.... such great choices. Btw was channel 28 (26) out of Michigan? I remember watching wrestling on some obscure UHF channel that was really fuzzy - definitely not Family Classics content!
What memories when it was snowing in the Chicago area and we were enjoying a great movie on a Sunday Afternoon. Awesome memories that will never leave. The music was something I have always remembered and always will. Thank you
Grew up on the southside of Chicago, tough neighborhood tough kids, but even us tough kids loved Family Classics. When I heard the theme song and saw the picture of Frazier Thomas, well this 68 yr. old southsider got a lump in his throat and an ache in his heart. Miss you Mr. Thomas. You were a real class act. R.I.P.
Family classics...nastalgia bomb!..you can only be a kid growing up in Chicago in the 80s to comprehend what I'm saying. Rip mr Frazier & thanx for being there in the TV when I was a kid.
How I Miss Chicago In The 70s. Family Classics, Creature Feature, The Untouchables, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Dark Shadows, The Jackie Gleason Show...The List Is As Endless As The Memories!!!
THE MELODY JUST MAKES ME HAPPY AND SAD. MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD GONE THAT WILL NEVER COME AGAIN... A FUTURE THAT IS SO DIFFERENT AND SOCIETY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH IN CHARACTER. I HAD A GREAT CHILD HOOD AND FAMILY CLASSICS, GARFIELD GOOSE AND THE STORY TELLER WAS PART OF IT !!!!!
Frazier Thomas was a very classy guy. I always enjoyed him in Family Classics, and Garfield Goose too. I once wrote to Frazier Thomas at WGN to ask if he would show me how to play the "Jaw Harp" that he would sometimes play on Garfield Goose. I had one, but didn't know how to play it. He sent me a handwritten letter that he would demonstrate the "Jaw Harp" on the Garfield Goose show on ... such and such a day... and thanked me for watching the show, and wishing me well in my school. Just a real classy guy to help out a little boy like that!
Man I loved family classics and the music is awesome. Kids nowadays will never comprehend what it's like to be an old school kid. They have to want to accept things of old to appreciate it!!!
Man do I ever second that - I get feelings of security thinking about when dad put a 13 inch tv in my bedroom when I was the oldest of 3 kids (siblings werent to happy about it) You have to remember in 1963 a 13 inch b&w tv was a big deal, and in the middle of my crazy kid life, watching Frazer Thomas in my cuddly little bedroom was a;ways comforting - THANX FRAZIER
There were so many great classic films shown on "Family Classics". I believe my all-time favorite was Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol". The end of a era when familys gathered together on a Sunday afternoon.
My brothers and I always quote "It's a bloomin' Topper! Half a Mo....Let-er GO!" Reginald Owens' version is my favorite but if you've not seen "It Happend on Fifth Avenue" you MUST find it and see it! it will become your new Christmas Must See!
My God. I could actually See those beautiful Sunday afternoons as the sun would come beaming through the living room window of my parents home, back some 40 years ago! Makes me feel so nostalgic!!
We’ve gotten so far away from movies that were shown on family classics. I also miss those great black and white classics that showed every weekend. They should really bring Family Classics back to channel 9 with that memorable theme song.
Wow, this brings back memories. I can see that so many of us Chicagoans used to see this on Sunday afternoon's to wrap up the weekend. Brings back great memories of the great movies they used to show in WGN.
While watching "The time machine" , now in my Florida home, it brought back memories of when I watched it on family classics decades ago when a child and young man in my hometown of Chicago's north side. Loved family classics, and the music melted my heart. Many pleasant times then, along with past memories while watching it during historical times like the 1973 Roe vs wade and Watergate. And now, with today's viewing of the time machine, the day after Roe overturned and the hearings of J6. How much things have changed, society so different. Makes me wish I had a time machine to go back to Logan square/Rogers Park on a nice 1960/70's Sunday, just to watch another episode of Family classics.
Tears well up as i listen,thinking of us children sitting and watching this in the 70's with our parents now gone : ( i miss those days so much growing up in Gary.
+jesus comeforus Great film, but my favorite was always "Mysterious Island". Captain Nemo trapped on the Nautilus during the volcanic eruption just broke my little heart.
Yes, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Mysterious Island", "and Treasure Island", too. But for me the iconic "Family Classics with Frazier Thomas" movie will always be "The Adventures of Robin Hood", starring Erroll Flynn.
When I was watching Family Classic's it was on Fridays at I believe 6 or 7 PM. Hearing this music brings back beautiful memories that choked me up when I first played it on you tube. All different classic movies, Laurel and Hardy, Mysterious Island, Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, many many more.What a simple wonderful time in my life. I didn't know it then, but sure believe it now. I cherished watching this show with my mother.
Fond memories. Grew up in Chicago. I remember watching this Sunday afternoons. At our place, Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the 80s were spent watching channels 9 & 32. "Family Classics", "Blondie & Dagwood", "Charlie Chan", "Mr. Moto", "Svengoolie", "Monstrous Movie", etc
Yes, yes, yes! This music was and is so memorable. Loved to watch Family Classics; when TV 📺 was worth watching. Me, too my eyes become misty reminiscing.
The theme music was a piece of library music recorded on the Berry/Conroy label, entitled Moviescope, and was written by Dennis Berry. The camera would slowly zoom in on the set designed by Thomas that resembled a study with a painting on the wall of Garfield Goose done by Roy Brown, a model sailing ship sitting on top of a shelf of books with the titles of the films to be shown that were repainted encyclopedias and dictionaries (also done by Brown) that Frazier would introduce.
Me too the 60's and 70's in the Chicago area was the best for me too I grew up in Hammond IN. just out side of Chicago and this was definetly part of the magic. And I remember it comeing on on Sundays this was a great part of my childhood thanks for posting it.
Remember, quite fondly, my mom telling us kids to listen to Mr. Thomas's diction, imagine telling a child that today...miss this show and many other Chicago icons, be well and a very Merry Christmas
I loved this show. It brings back so many memories of Sundays when I hear the music or see Frazier Thomas. Watching this show brought me to Captain Courageous, Treasure Island, Ivanhoe, Sherlock Holmes and so many more.
Family Classics, originally aired on WGN-TV, on Friday Nights. I don't remember what year it was, when WGN-TV, rescheduled the show to Sunday afternoons. Just the same, this was back when Chicago's 'local' television stations, were actually FUN to watch, (at least if you were a kid, or a "armchair athlete"). Kids got to watch "Ray Rayner & Friends", before they went to school in the mornings. And they came home for lunch, to watch "Bozo's Circus". Dad, got all of his local sports! Da Sox, Da Cubs, Da Bears, Da Bulls, And Da Bears!
Wonderful memories of watching this on Sunday afternoons. Does anyone else remember watching Abbott & Costello double features on Saturday afternoons on WGN? I grew up about 70 miles east of Chicago and I recall my father spending an entire weekend one summer erecting an antennna tall enough to capture the signals from all the independent Chicago stations.
Created by Frazier Thomas, Family Classics screened classic novels and was the inspiration for me becoming an author. Family Classics began as a Friday evening show, and to me as a 10 year old was a thrilling signal that the weekend had begun. The theme music was a piece of library music recorded on the Berry/Conroy label, entitled Moviescope, and was written by Dennis Berry. The camera would slowly zoom in on the set designed by Thomas that resembled a study with a painting on the wall of Garfield Goose done by Roy Brown, a model sailing ship sitting on top of a shelf of books with the titles of the films to be shown that were repainted encyclopedias and dictionaries (Lettering and illustrations for classics covers were done by Anthony M. Sulla then supervisor of Arts and Facilities ad WGN) that Frazier would introduce. Sci-Fi movies were often screened, including "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Tobar the Great" "The Time Machine" and "Mysterious Island," my favorite movies. It's interesting how Frazier Thomas could shift from the Garfield Goose to distinguished FC host. He helped turn WGN into a family channel before WGN became the satanic channel it is now showing Buffy The Vampire Slayer and other demonic TV series. While Frazier was alive WGN was greatness- I am so disgusted with what WGN has become and the imbecilic news-caster's like Larry Potash I refuse to watch WGN. But you can find a list of family classics that were screened by Frazier Thomas on Google and watch them on the internet with your kids and grandkids. I sorely miss you Frazier. You were like an uncle to all of us.
+Kilburn Hall I also grew up with the old WGN, but you lost me at satanic and demonic. We don't need fantasy stories to tell us that evil is real, we need fantasy to remind us that women can be heroes instead of trophies, and that evil can be fought and defeated. Our generation should have learned something about fairness and maturity.
I only got wgn. I remember the technical difficulties they had. I remember when WGN also showed the news as well. Since I dropped my package on Directv, I no longer get WGN America. I don't miss that channel at all. Just what it used to be. They showed the Cubs, transformers, gi Joe, and a whole lot more. There will never be another WGN anymore.
Brings back so many fond memories of living in Chicago.Sunday afternoon we watched Family Classics,then Sunday evening at 6 on NBC 5 we watched the Disney special.
I have many of the Classics which i first saw on this show. So many wonderful films. Mysterious island, The Time Machine, Sink the Bismarck, Treasure Island, The Adventures of Robin hood, Journey to the Center of the Earth, A Christmas Carol, Tobor the Great, When Worlds collide, War of the Worlds, Boy's Town....the list goes on.
I grew up in Gary, Indiana moving away in 69'. Thanks for the wonderful memories! In spite of turmoil on the world and national stage, it seems it was a more innocent time in many ways.
When this theme song started and you heard it, you'd better hurry up into the den or TV room, because a great movie was going to start! I remember thinking that ship on the library case was so cool; in fact, I have a ship on a bookcase in my house today! Thank you, Mr. Frazier Thomas...so many good memories.
How you (AmosNomore) FOUND this is beyond me--AND amazing! But thanks for sharing it! For those who don't know, the tune is called "Moviescope", by Dennis Alfred Berry, and is considered to be "library" music. I think some of the most beautiful pieces are those that are created as "interim" tunes, for want of a better phrase. Thanks again! And God bless!
Wonderful memories of seeing"The Adventures of Robin Hood":"The Sea Hawk" and "Captain Blood"-all for the first time and all starring the great Errol Flynn, every Sunday on WGN Channel 9. Thank you for this post!
I think every generation has had good memories in one form or another. But I think it's safe to say that despite what we all went through in the 60's and 70's..ie civil rights, viet nam etc..Family classics bought out the best during those times. I grew up in Chicago, and as so many here who have posted thier wonderful memories of Mr Frazier Thomas..I could'nt agree more, What a wonderful time in life,,especially as a child. The adventures were so captivating.. ahh the sweet childhood Memories.
Pure nostagia, everytime I hear this tune it takes me back to when I was young. I always make me think about one of the programs, Robin Hood. A GREAT tune!
Good memories! I can remember watching Robin Hood, the Sea Hawk, Fantastic Voyage, Voyage to the Center of the Earth, and others on Family Classics on a Sunday afternoon.
What a Gracious and gentle man. He was part of Chicagoans living rooms every Sunday. I would wait for months for The LOne Ranger and The Lost City of Gold! Frazier Thomas added so much to each classic, and to all of us in Chicago.
Whenever I see a movie that used to be part of Family Classics, I always think of this music - Heidi, Sink the Bismarck, 1938 version of a Christmas Carol are just a few of the great movies Frazier introduced us to - great memories!
I used to watch this show every Sunday without fail. I miss it. Anyone remember seeing the old Harry Schmerler ("The Singing Ford Dealer") commercials?
Wonderful memories of childhood in the early 70's. Each year I'd wait eagerly for Family Classics to show my favorite movies...Boys Town, Moby Dick, Mysterious Island..."If you're quite ready, let us begin."
This was a huge part of my childhood in Chicago. Family Classics with Frazier Thomas. The movies were so great. There was a time when TV programing was actually meaningful.
Yes this is a classic. How the world has change as a child . Am at my company carpentercare on CZcams theme songs bring tears to older clients 45-70.. in 13th February I start another online company called chi-networks.. each weekend theme song will change..
My heart melts thinking about that time when I was a boy in my Grandma's house on the south side of Chicago, ....I sat next to her and watched Family Classics movies every week !! I miss my Grandma !!!!!!
Crying my ass off
I loved the one when he showed Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A PURE classic...
Mysterious Island was my favorite.
SilkySlim best memories in my life Sundays at grandma's and WGN channel 9 FAMILY CLASSICS
✌🌎💓
Yup..me too South Side on Sundays with the family
Thomas passed away in 1985. He gave us in Chicagoland so much pleasure and so many fond memories...
when I hear this I wanna watch one of the classics that they had on...
agreed John - when I hear this, it gives me a lump in my throat for the good life gone by
After Frazier Thomas’ death, Roy Leonard took over as the host of “Family Classics” where he continued right up until the late 1990’s.
Frazier Thomas, Always remembered....
When I hear this I am flooded with childhood memories. I grew up in Chicago and when Family Classics aired (It only aired from fall into spring) I knew school was back in and autumn had come. Sunday afternoons were filled with the WGN lineup starting at three with "Classics" then "Space 1999" or "UFO" and then "The World at War" at six. Back in the days when there was only three networks, channels nine, thirty-two and forty four. On a good night you might catch a UHF channel out of Michigan.
Frasier Thomas was a class act. He loved entertaining the kids and was always fun. From "Garfield Goose" every morning during the week to "Classics" on Sunday he was a rock that everyone I knew stood upon. He did the show all the way up to the day before he died despite being and looking terribly ill. He did for us. God bless.
+Tiberius Ceasar
Those days! Sink the Bismarck, Moby Dick, Mysterious Island, etc.... such great choices. Btw was channel 28 (26) out of Michigan? I remember watching wrestling on some obscure UHF channel that was really fuzzy - definitely not Family Classics content!
Garfield Goose and Friends was on in the afternoon. I used to watch it after getting home from school....
What memories when it was snowing in the Chicago area and we were enjoying a great movie on a Sunday Afternoon. Awesome memories that will never leave. The music was something I have always remembered and always will. Thank you
Yes, you are so right. I still loves here on Chicago. Great memories from channel 9.
I remember this it brings back so many memories
Same here...
Sunday dinner & Family Classics
I feel like crying when I hear this music.So sad and yet so beautiful.What memories.
This is my grandfather's composition :) Moviescope, by Dennis Berry.
Howard Berry it is beautiful, and clearly a wonderful part of our childhood memories. He must have been so talented....
Grew up on the southside of Chicago, tough neighborhood tough kids, but even us tough kids loved Family Classics. When I heard the theme song and saw the picture of Frazier Thomas, well this 68 yr. old southsider got a lump in his throat and an ache in his heart. Miss you Mr. Thomas. You were a real class act. R.I.P.
We never missed Family Classics. I loved that music.
Yes that was the best times watching family classics. In the 80's
@@starvroscasadine9271 I remember watching it in the 60's.
Family classics...nastalgia bomb!..you can only be a kid growing up in Chicago in the 80s to comprehend what I'm saying. Rip mr Frazier & thanx for being there in the TV when I was a kid.
The 70s kids too, great memories!
The 60s kids, ditto 😃
Don't forget in the 80,s wgn could be seen across the country as well via cable tv still miss those days
How I Miss Chicago In The 70s. Family Classics, Creature Feature, The Untouchables, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Dark Shadows, The Jackie Gleason Show...The List Is As Endless As The Memories!!!
This piece is why I wanted to play the violin when I was a kid. 41 years old now...still playing.
It's amazing how a piece of music could trigger so many memories.....I'll admit,
This made me cry....
Love your name! Love that movie!! Frank Acavano’s credit card!!
Me too ❤
THE MELODY JUST MAKES ME HAPPY AND SAD. MEMORIES OF A CHILDHOOD GONE THAT WILL NEVER COME AGAIN... A FUTURE THAT IS SO DIFFERENT AND SOCIETY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH IN CHARACTER. I HAD A GREAT CHILD HOOD AND FAMILY CLASSICS, GARFIELD GOOSE AND THE STORY TELLER WAS PART OF IT !!!!!
This is when television was television and television was worth watching.
You said it. 📺
when I was a young Kid, my family would gather all together and Watch Family Classics every Sunday afternoon on Channel 9 in Chicago
Made me cry...good memories. Great music. I loved this program as a child and Frazier Thomas was a wonderful man.
My lifelong passion for movies was started by watching this program with my father and great grandmother back in the early-1970s.
Frazier Thomas was a very classy guy. I always enjoyed him in Family Classics, and Garfield Goose too. I once wrote to Frazier Thomas at WGN to ask if he would show me how to play the "Jaw Harp" that he would sometimes play on Garfield Goose. I had one, but didn't know how to play it. He sent me a handwritten letter that he would demonstrate the "Jaw Harp" on the Garfield Goose show on ... such and such a day... and thanked me for watching the show, and wishing me well in my school. Just a real classy guy to help out a little boy like that!
Man I loved family classics and the music is awesome. Kids nowadays will never comprehend what it's like to be an old school kid. They have to want to accept things of old to appreciate it!!!
Man do I ever second that - I get feelings of security thinking about when dad put a 13 inch tv in my bedroom when I was the oldest of 3 kids (siblings werent to happy about it) You have to remember in 1963 a 13 inch b&w tv was a big deal, and in the middle of my crazy kid life, watching Frazer Thomas in my cuddly little bedroom was a;ways comforting - THANX FRAZIER
I agree....makes me cry too.........many happy memories watching the show.
Creature Features on Saturday nights, Family Classics on Sunday afternoons, never missed them in the early 70s!!
There were so many great classic films shown on "Family Classics". I believe my all-time favorite was Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol". The end of a era when familys gathered together on a Sunday afternoon.
My brothers and I always quote "It's a bloomin' Topper! Half a Mo....Let-er GO!" Reginald Owens' version is my favorite but if you've not seen "It Happend on Fifth Avenue" you MUST find it and see it! it will become your new Christmas Must See!
This song still makes me think there's school tomorrow. What memories. :)
yea me to..
That's funny, because to me it was the end of the school week! I'm 61.
Yes, it does!!
Boys Town
The Adventures of Robin Hood
A Christmas Carol
Three of my favorite episodes of Family Classics. How I wish they'd bring this series back.
This song will forever be embedded in my childhood DNA.
My God. I could actually See those beautiful Sunday afternoons as the sun would come beaming through the living room window of my parents home, back some 40 years ago! Makes me feel so nostalgic!!
We’ve gotten so far away from movies that were shown on family classics. I also miss those great black and white classics that showed every weekend. They should really bring Family Classics back to channel 9 with that memorable theme song.
Anyone remember when this show came on Friday evening? Jungle Book comes to mind as well as Tobot The Great! lol
Wow, this brings back memories. I can see that so many of us Chicagoans used to see this on Sunday afternoon's to wrap up the weekend. Brings back great memories of the great movies they used to show in WGN.
While watching "The time machine" , now in my Florida home, it brought back memories of when I watched it on family classics decades ago when a child and young man in my hometown of Chicago's north side. Loved family classics, and the music melted my heart. Many pleasant times then, along with past memories while watching it during historical times like the 1973 Roe vs wade and Watergate. And now, with today's viewing of the time machine, the day after Roe overturned and the hearings of J6. How much things have changed, society so different. Makes me wish I had a time machine to go back to Logan square/Rogers Park on a nice 1960/70's Sunday, just to watch another episode of Family classics.
Growing up in Chicago in the 60s 70s 80s TV wise,was the best,with the great TV shows.it was a simple time for a kid.
Tears well up as i listen,thinking of us children sitting and watching this in the 70's with our parents now gone : ( i miss those days so much growing up in Gary.
memories....remember looking forward to this every weekend at my house. Anybody remember the original "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
+jesus comeforus Great film, but my favorite was always "Mysterious Island". Captain Nemo trapped on the Nautilus during the volcanic eruption just broke my little heart.
+jesus comeforus --It still comes on cable today and I watch it over and over !!!
+jesus comeforus Oh you betcha. That was my favorite Family Classic film!
Yes! Still one of my favorite childhood movies.
Yes, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Mysterious Island", "and Treasure Island", too. But for me the iconic "Family Classics with Frazier Thomas" movie will always be "The Adventures of Robin Hood", starring Erroll Flynn.
Family classics was the main event on Sunday afternoons. As I kid I saw some great movies.
Now, if you're quite ready-let us begin.
Oh, God. The memories. Good, glorious memories. If I had a time machine I would go back to any Sunday morning, 35 years ago.
When I hear this song, growing up in Joliet Illinois. Think of my friends and family
I grew up in Plainfield and have the same rush of memories, @purplegurl79
This was such a great memory for everyone who grew up watching family classics on wgn was a magical time.
When I was watching Family Classic's it was on Fridays at I believe 6 or 7 PM. Hearing this music brings back beautiful memories that choked me up when I first played it on you tube. All different classic movies, Laurel and Hardy, Mysterious Island, Robin Hood with Errol Flynn, many many more.What a simple wonderful time in my life. I didn't know it then, but sure believe it now. I cherished watching this show with my mother.
Fond memories. Grew up in Chicago. I remember watching this Sunday afternoons. At our place, Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the 80s were spent watching channels 9 & 32. "Family Classics", "Blondie & Dagwood", "Charlie Chan", "Mr. Moto", "Svengoolie", "Monstrous Movie", etc
Those were the good ole days ... days we will never forget or get back !!! I am ever so grateful for them ... the memories are awesome !!
remember when he said...I wish you all a very pleasant evineing and good night..then he but the book back in the book case and end credits??
Yess I remember that
@@starvroscasadine9271 me too..
wow, watched this show regularly as a young boy. Frazier Thomas was a friend of the family! A true gentleman and loving , caring person
Yes, yes, yes! This music was and is so memorable. Loved to watch Family Classics; when TV 📺 was worth watching. Me, too my eyes become misty reminiscing.
The theme music was a piece of library music recorded on the Berry/Conroy label, entitled Moviescope, and was written by Dennis Berry. The camera would slowly zoom in on the set designed by Thomas that resembled a study with a painting on the wall of Garfield Goose done by Roy Brown, a model sailing ship sitting on top of a shelf of books with the titles of the films to be shown that were repainted encyclopedias and dictionaries (also done by Brown) that Frazier would introduce.
Me too the 60's and 70's in the Chicago area was the best for me too I grew up in Hammond IN. just out side of Chicago and this was definetly part of the magic. And I remember it comeing on on Sundays this was a great part of my childhood thanks for posting it.
Remember, quite fondly, my mom telling us kids to listen to Mr. Thomas's diction, imagine telling a child that today...miss this show and many other Chicago icons, be well and a very Merry Christmas
I loved this show. It brings back so many memories of Sundays when I hear the music or see Frazier Thomas. Watching this show brought me to Captain Courageous, Treasure Island, Ivanhoe, Sherlock Holmes and so many more.
Family Classics, originally aired on WGN-TV, on Friday Nights. I don't remember what year it was, when WGN-TV, rescheduled the show to Sunday afternoons. Just the same, this was back when Chicago's 'local' television stations, were actually FUN to watch, (at least if you were a kid, or a "armchair athlete").
Kids got to watch "Ray Rayner & Friends", before they went to school in the mornings. And they came home for lunch, to watch "Bozo's Circus". Dad, got all of his local sports! Da Sox, Da Cubs, Da Bears, Da Bulls, And Da Bears!
This song brings back so many memories
I ms the old days now in my 50s i appreciate programs like this
Wonderful memories of watching this on Sunday afternoons. Does anyone else remember watching Abbott & Costello double features on Saturday afternoons on WGN? I grew up about 70 miles east of Chicago and I recall my father spending an entire weekend one summer erecting an antennna tall enough to capture the signals from all the independent Chicago stations.
Created by Frazier Thomas, Family Classics screened classic novels and was the inspiration for me becoming an author. Family Classics began as a Friday evening show, and to me as a 10 year old was a thrilling signal that the weekend had begun. The theme music was a piece of library music recorded on the Berry/Conroy label, entitled Moviescope, and was written by Dennis Berry. The camera would slowly zoom in on the set designed by Thomas that resembled a study with a painting on the wall of Garfield Goose done by Roy Brown, a model sailing ship sitting on top of a shelf of books with the titles of the films to be shown that were repainted encyclopedias and dictionaries (Lettering and illustrations for classics covers were done by Anthony M. Sulla then supervisor of Arts and Facilities ad WGN) that Frazier would introduce.
Sci-Fi movies were often screened, including "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Tobar the Great" "The Time Machine" and "Mysterious Island," my favorite movies. It's interesting how Frazier Thomas could shift from the Garfield Goose to distinguished FC host. He helped turn WGN into a family channel before WGN became the satanic channel it is now showing Buffy The Vampire Slayer and other demonic TV series. While Frazier was alive WGN was greatness- I am so disgusted with what WGN has become and the imbecilic news-caster's like Larry Potash I refuse to watch WGN. But you can find a list of family classics that were screened by Frazier Thomas on Google and watch them on the internet with your kids and grandkids. I sorely miss you Frazier. You were like an uncle to all of us.
+Kilburn Hall I also grew up with the old WGN, but you lost me at satanic and demonic. We don't need fantasy stories to tell us that evil is real, we need fantasy to remind us that women can be heroes instead of trophies, and that evil can be fought and defeated. Our generation should have learned something about fairness and maturity.
I only got wgn. I remember the technical difficulties they had. I remember when WGN also showed the news as well. Since I dropped my package on Directv, I no longer get WGN America. I don't miss that channel at all. Just what it used to be. They showed the Cubs, transformers, gi Joe, and a whole lot more. There will never be another WGN anymore.
Glad to hear someone else who remembers that Family Classics started on Friday evenings and later switched to Sunday afternoons.
My childhood! In fact, playing the violin since I was 11 years old and this was one of the songs. Still playing at 41. Joliet Illinois. I am from.😁
Brings back sweet memories of Sunday evenings at home when I was young, the whole family would be watching.
me to..do you remember what movie was on and how many times you seen it?
I love the theme music takes me back to chicago early 80s wonderful memories.
Yes, the good years we had here in Chicago. Nice.
Brings back so many fond memories of living in Chicago.Sunday afternoon we watched Family Classics,then Sunday evening at 6 on NBC 5 we watched the Disney special.
I have many of the Classics which i first saw on this show. So many wonderful films. Mysterious island, The Time Machine, Sink the Bismarck, Treasure Island, The Adventures of Robin hood, Journey to the Center of the Earth, A Christmas Carol, Tobor the Great, When Worlds collide, War of the Worlds, Boy's Town....the list goes on.
When I this song as an ADULT it take me back to my Childhood as a kid sitting with my siblings watching a Wonderful Movie on a Sunday Evening ❤
I grew up in Gary, Indiana moving away in 69'. Thanks for the wonderful memories! In spite of turmoil on the world and national stage, it seems it was a more innocent time in many ways.
When this theme song started and you heard it, you'd better hurry up into the den or TV room, because a great movie was going to start! I remember thinking that ship on the library case was so cool; in fact, I have a ship on a bookcase in my house today! Thank you, Mr. Frazier Thomas...so many good memories.
I loved this show and this theme music. Makes me remember my grandmother and my
Mom when they were living, and I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s.
How you (AmosNomore) FOUND this is beyond me--AND amazing! But thanks for sharing it! For those who don't know, the tune is called "Moviescope", by Dennis Alfred Berry, and is considered to be "library" music. I think some of the most beautiful pieces are those that are created as "interim" tunes, for want of a better phrase. Thanks again! And God bless!
Wonderful memories of seeing"The Adventures of Robin Hood":"The Sea Hawk" and "Captain Blood"-all for the first time and all starring the great Errol Flynn, every Sunday on WGN Channel 9. Thank you for this post!
I think every generation has had good memories in one form or another. But I think it's safe to say that despite what we all went through in the 60's and 70's..ie civil rights, viet nam etc..Family classics bought out the best during those times. I grew up in Chicago, and as so many here who have posted thier wonderful memories of Mr Frazier Thomas..I could'nt agree more, What a wonderful time in life,,especially as a child. The adventures were so captivating.. ahh the sweet childhood Memories.
Pure nostagia, everytime I hear this tune it takes me back to when I was young. I always make me think about one of the programs, Robin Hood. A GREAT tune!
Good memories! I can remember watching Robin Hood, the Sea Hawk, Fantastic Voyage, Voyage to the Center of the Earth, and others on Family Classics on a Sunday afternoon.
We always looked forward to War of the Worlds and The Time Machine.
What a Gracious and gentle man.
He was part of Chicagoans living rooms every Sunday.
I would wait for months for The LOne Ranger and The Lost City of Gold!
Frazier Thomas added so much to each classic, and to all of us in Chicago.
Whenever I see a movie that used to be part of Family Classics, I always think of this music - Heidi, Sink the Bismarck, 1938 version of a Christmas Carol are just a few of the great movies Frazier introduced us to - great memories!
Have always loved Frazier Thomas even he's been gone over 3 decades. A true Chicago legend
I used to watch this show every Sunday without fail. I miss it. Anyone remember seeing the old Harry Schmerler ("The Singing Ford Dealer") commercials?
Family Classics with Frazier IS childhood!!!
He was the greatest!!!
End of the weekend,family time some of best days of my childhood
The Time Machine....Weena!! : )
For any Chicagoan who grew up in the 1970's and 1980's and watched WGN, this song brings up memories.
I miss the show so much from back then. Nice.
Oh such happy, innocent memories of my 60s childhood in the Chicago suburbs. WGN taught me to love movies.
Wonderful memories of childhood in the early 70's. Each year I'd wait eagerly for Family Classics to show my favorite movies...Boys Town, Moby Dick, Mysterious Island..."If you're quite ready, let us begin."
This was a huge part of my childhood in Chicago. Family Classics with Frazier Thomas. The movies were so great. There was a time when TV programing was actually meaningful.
Brings back memories. I love this tune. :-()
Loved this show!! ❤️
Loved Family Classics
Every Friday night! I always looked forward to these Movies! Always interesting!
Zorro and Robin Hood, on a Sunday afternoon.....was pure heaven!!
My fave. Was lassie come home and I agree growing up Chicago in the 70 & early 80s were the good times
You,,,I started crying life as a child was wonderful....in 60's...sundays was family day...we would all sit and watch family classics....
Ahh yes! Growing up in Joliet, ill.
I always looked forward to this show as a kid. Thanks for this.
I remember Tobor! Talk about bringing back memories! I think I need a tissue myself, lol!
I love the theme & the arrangement!
Thank you! Memories........!!
Great Chicagoland memories!
Miss those days
They sure don't make family programs like Family Classics anymore. Thanks for sharing.
IT WAS A GREAT SHOW AND LIFE WAS DIFFERENT BEST TIME 2 GROW UP,MOVIES WERE THE BEST AND FRAZIER THOMAS WAS A REALLY GOOD HOST.
I love this show as a child
What a great song! I can close my eyes and listen to this then instantly have wonderful childhood memories!
Yes this is a classic. How the world has change as a child . Am at my company carpentercare on CZcams theme songs bring tears to older clients 45-70.. in 13th February I start another online company called chi-networks.. each weekend theme song will change..
IT WAS GREAT WATCHING FAMILY CLASSIC, A DIFFERENT TIME THAT WAS SPECIAL,
Its was like a Sunday afternoon hug from the TV