Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
"I'm sure you recognize this lovely melody as 'Stranger in Paradise'--but did you know that the original theme is from the 'Polovtsian Dance No. 2' by Borodin?"
That's British actor John Williams delivering the opening line so familiar to TV-addled kids of the 1970's and 1980's. The spot for the "120 Music Masterpieces" classical LP collection was produced in 1971 and ran for over a decade. Wikipedia claims it ran until 1984, but this one is from 1985 (aired during a USA Network Movie, with a "Groovie Movies" promo in there, which premiered in '85). And while this may not be the best A/V version to be found on YouTube, it IS the most expensive: $19.95! AND still available on 8-Track!
I guess I didn't really need to upload this as it's already out there, but it reminds me of watching cartoons and "The Magic Garden" on WPIX (NYC's channel 11) on rainy afternoons, so what the hell...
And NO, other YouTubers, you may NOT hijack this video for your own channels--I'd prefer the views stay right here, thanks!
No rights held or implied. (If you'd like this video removed for copyright reasons, please contact me rather than notifying YouTube, I will gladly take it down from this channel.) This is on compilation 83 at oldtvads.blogspot.com...
"I'm sure you recognize this lovely melody as 'Stranger in Paradise'--but did you know that the original theme is from the 'Polovtsian Dance No. 2' by Borodin?"
That's British actor John Williams delivering the opening line so familiar to TV-addled kids of the 1970's and 1980's. The spot for the "120 Music Masterpieces" classical LP collection was produced in 1971 and ran for over a decade. Wikipedia claims it ran until 1984, but this one is from 1985 (aired during a USA Network Movie, with a "Groovie Movies" promo in there, which premiered in '85). And while this may not be the best A/V version to be found on YouTube, it IS the most expensive: $19.95! AND still available on 8-Track!
I guess I didn't really need to upload this as it's already out there, but it reminds me of watching cartoons and "The Magic Garden" on WPIX (NYC's channel 11) on rainy afternoons, so what the hell...
And NO, other YouTubers, you may NOT hijack this video for your own channels--I'd prefer the views stay right here, thanks!
No rights held or implied. (If you'd like this video removed for copyright reasons, please contact me rather than notifying YouTube, I will gladly take it down from this channel.) This is on compilation 83 at oldtvads.blogspot.com...
