Search for Tomorrow Opening titles 1951-1986

the first of Roy Winsor's creations all the openings from the fifteen minute live days of the 50s and 60s, to the high tech video days of the 70s and 80s BIG THANK YOU TO EONSFTFAN for his material, and sorry you had to remove all your vids

[@aggie05too30]

On sick days and home from school i remember mostly the 74 through 81 theme, reminds me of mom. "Camay, the beauty cleanser for your beautiful complexion", Prell, OMG, all these 70's and 80's commercial--God, how I miss those old times, a different time, a wonderful time. Love and peace everyone.

[@joemontco]

What a warm and loving tribute to a wonderful show that I still miss to this very day. Thank you for showing us that even today, SFT is appreciated and loved for what it always was, first-class top-notch daytime drama. Somewhere in heaven Mary Stuart and Larry Haines are smiling.

[@kenscribbles]

I was obsessed with this show. In high school, I lied to the guidance counsellor telling him I needed to rearrange my class lineup because I had to go home to make lunch for my little sister. I did this so I could run home to watch Search for Tomorrow. LOL.

[@mE-zx7pt]

Did you also make lunch for your little sister? 😄

[@deloresjimenez79]

I miss theses old soap opera. I love music it makes my heart. sad but it leaves me. with wonderful memories I came up in that era wish the old soaps could come back.

[@AdamJ617]

Reviving this genre would be Difficult for reasons that are many. I mean, good luck trying to find a 20-something to enjoy something like this.

[@ManuelGuzman067]

There were so many daytime sosps back in the day. It was so hard to choose which ones to see lol

[@SteveFlanigan]

This brought back such fond memories, especially the older versions. It reminded me of when I was a child coming home school and this was on the TV.

[@deloresjimenez79]

Just wish Search For tomorrow could come back really miss it and also brings back old memories.

[@greggriffin8020]

That 1986 theme is the 80s-est thing I've ever heard.

[@mE-zx7pt]

Yep, they Miami Vice'd it.

[@tomjanowski8584]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rajTYomagZ6npassi=VblhPCx2qmH4Nlwp

[@tammylewis2408]

@@mE-zx7pt Actually the NBC soap Santa Barbara influenced many an 80s soap openings. When CBS canceled SFT in 1982, NBC picked up the soap and redid the theme to be more 80s and the soap ran for four more years, ending it with a Christmas episode in 1986.

[@2snowgirl520]

I love the organ music

[@allenjones3130]

Roy Winsor, the creator of "Search", also produced two long-running soap operas, "Love of Life" and "The Secret Storm".

[@mE-zx7pt]

Wow, 56 years old & I'd forgotten this existed til it popped up in my recommendations today!

[@lookinggrl]

OMG....Those '80s shoulder pads must have been hard on the back! But seriously, I would rather see the old cheesy soap operas than these reality shows.

[@amym1106]

I hate reality shows too!

[@lindajones8895]

Actually the shoulder pads of the 80's weren't bad at all.

[@barihope]

Loved the 1982-1986 theme best. Great theme.

[@christobellagio191]

the 74-81 theme has to be one of the most beautiful soap opera themes ever! next to aw and atwt original themes and love of life's final theme.

[@pdoll96]

Christo Bellagio that’s the one I remember from my childhood

[@DinaT6937]

That when I started watching. I was 4 years old. Loved it!!

[@thetreasurehouse1742]

I agree. That version of the theme is so classy.

[@erikandrus4387]

I totally get them wanting to contemporize the show's opening, but why they just didn't stick with the melody of the theme you and others loved best and just build off of it.

[@zsaquesinclair5367]

YES!!! I grew up watching Morgan Fairchild, "Jennifer" on there and I still love that beautiful theme music, Morgan was on from Thanksgiving '73 to Summer '77...sigh...

[@jackrussell4437]

When this was shown in Australia, we didn’t get the sponsorship clip in the middle of the introduction, with our shows the sponsorship clip was shown just before the intro and then again after it finished.

[@feliciawilliams8587]

This really brings back the good ol days!

[@seannewhouse892]

so many old sounds, themes sound so quaint to me now evem tho i lived thru those times & such a real life sense then to it

[@joelvela4366]

Yeah it sure gets to me too

[@mccommas2]

My grandma used to watch this in the 1970's. I remember the clouds rolling away differently than is shown here.

[@goldenhoneysilk]

oh my lord haven't heard in years... sure have changed from '51-86 sure miss them soaps

[@mariellclement8092]

The 1974-81 Theme was the best. I love the harpsichord towards the end. It makes the song more beautiful.

[@Tomovox_PAMS_Radio_JIngles]

I used to go to my aunt's house for lunch everyday when I was in grade school and she would be watching Search For Tomorrow. This was during the 70s and this "harpsichord " theme is what I always remembered. You are right, that harpsichord is what really makes this beautiful. Consider I was a young boy and had no interest in a soap opera, BUT this theme was ROCKING it! Still sounds incredible all these years later.

[@baconbap]

But what was that big boom at the beginning?

[@tammylewis2408]

@@baconbap The boom was probably a bass guitar.

[@soap1919jt]

This is very good work. A couple of notes: Search went to color in 1967, and by the mid-60s there was a variation of the original theme that had a stronger organ. I'm glad that they did not air the one featuring the eyball. That sounds creepy....lol

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

AWESOME video! thank you for posting it, brings back some fantastic memories of times gone by so long ago.

[@TimsDale4ever]

OMG something just rushes through me when any of these soaps' themes from the 70's pop up which was when all of these gorgeous full orchestra versions were first starting to be used. I get all flushed. It was a MAGNIFICENT time that I still miss to this day. Others like LOVE OF LIFE, AW, ATWT, GL. It just complelely blows my mind that all of this at some point was deemed "not good enough", and alas today we have none of this. ???

[@mE-zx7pt]

I agree but what's AW?

[@laminage]

I told UK Soap Fans how there was an Announcer for these Shows and how many of them were sponsored by Proctor & Gamble. They had no idea that in The US back in the day, alot of Actors/Actresses would get their foot in the door doing them. The Shows that "never" changed their Theme Songs were Coronation Street (1960-Present) which will celebrate 60 Years on December 9th, Emmerdale 1972-present and Eastenders 1985-Present. I'm not sure about Hollyoaks 1995-Present.

[@mE-zx7pt]

That's true,a lot of big stars began in soap operas.

[@deloresjimenez79]

Wish it could return to TV miss it.brings back wonderful memories.

[@SoapsGoldenAge]

the 74 to 81 one was the superior opening, in my opin. LOVED it.

[@tammylewis2408]

It was perfection, the theme very dreamy as the clouds are rolling, changing the theme song from the organ to orchestrated music really made the intro finally come together.

[@NelsonAspen]

That was a treat, thanx! You might think the final one from '86 is cheesy, but you should have seen some of the other versions that didnt make the cut: including vid clips spinning in and out of a giant eyeball!

[@tomjanowski8584]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rajTYomagZ6npassi=VblhPCx2qmH4Nlwp

[@johnrunion5357]

this brings back a lot of memories. thank you.

[@TPOrchestra]

Really a jolt to see the first one from 1951. I remember it because my mother watched. it. I was four years old. I .remember being intrigued by it because of the rolling clouds. Even the cheesy organ music seems familiar to me now.

[@1LibMrDucks]

0:35 this is the theme I remember from back in the day :) Those first ones with the organ makes one feel they're in a funeral home. Very Depressing.

[@carolynargabright8132]

I prefer those to the jazzier ones. I grew up when it had the announcer telling who the sponsor was.

[@regishel]

Love Music from 1986 and also the way the logo is shown.

[@nightowlchad]

My favorite one is the one from 1981 - 86. Had that nice Latin disco theme flavor to it

[@realbrown3723]

3:08 Hey, Hey!!

[@ayla8251]

beautiful music tribute. miss search for tomorrow.wonder what happened to everyone (RIP Larry and Mary)

[@soap1919jt]

Oh my gosh. This is the best! Thank you!

[@dianasands6685]

search for tomorrow brought to by Pell shampoo I loved the smell of that shampoo people use to ask me what shampoo do you use your hair smells good

[@Kirke182]

Camay soap. Forgot about that brand. Do they even sell that anymore?

[@mthivier]

I’d forgotten that Robert Reed was briefly on SFT.

[@softwater88]

alphauktelepictures . . . Thank you soooo much for posting this montage. I used to be a big fan of "Search For Tomorrow." But I think that a correction is needed on the "used from 1981-1982" segment. The "1981-1982" segement was actually discontinued in late 1981. I remember it very well cause it was my all time favorite theme. I thought it was too beautiful!! I wish that soaps were still like this and that beautiful orchestrated music was still in vogue. I miss this sooooo stinkin' much.

[@wheninrome345]

My grandfather watched this religiously with his legs crossed. He died in 1976.

[@west19sd]

When I was growing up as a child and a teen watching Search it only appeared for a short time in the morning time slot. Our CBS affialiate here in Sioux Falls, SD had our noon news airing from 12pm central time - 1pm Central time and ATWT from 1pm-2pm and Guiding Light from 2pm-3pm with the One Day at a Time CBS re-runs from 3pm-3:30pm. Y&R aired from 11:30am-12pm until it expanded to an hour except for about 6 months when they did try Search in the morn. Search aired at 3:30pm cent in ourarea

[@garyrosato2405]

did I see Robert Reed aka Mike Brady in a clip?

[@SweptAway529]

I did a double-take watching this too! Wikipedia does list him as having starred on the show as Lloyd Kendall #2.

[@ccie12933]

2:00 Flashdance -- WHAT A FEELING! (Seriously, thank you for posting these.)

[@frankieholmes500]

Hi Will, I'm a Morgan Fairchild fan, loved "Search For Tomorrow" and the open/closing music from 74 to 81, any chance I'd find the entire rendition somewhere?? best Frank

[@west19sd]

When it went to NBC it did only air in our area on our NBC affiliate from 11:30am-12pm.

[@laminage]

Check out Jo and Stu doing the first "Selfie" on a Soap Opera and Robert Reed appearing on The Show. He along with Tamara Braun (Ex Reese All My Children) and Ray McConnel (Ex Dr. Joe Martin) all attended The Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts in Europe.

[@aprentissdaye]

Ngl I loved the final theme of Search for Tomorrow before it got canceled, it was 80s and music during the 80s era was spectacular.❤

[@debrabanks7816]

I fell out of love with Search For Tomorrow when everything changed

[@deloresjimenez79]

Wish u was still on miss the old soap operas

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures It is my fondest wish that at least four videotaped (or kinescoped) episodes, representing the best cast members in the best years of "Search" will, somehow, be unearthed. I would like to see one episode with Robett Mandan and Joan Copeland, one episode with Jill Clayburgh, one episode with Robby Benson, and one episode with Susan Sarandon, the latter two also including longer-term cast members Ken Harvey, Leigh Lassen, Dino Narazzano, and Anthony George.

[@gymnastix]

If any actors, directors, producers, writers or CBS staff have kines or video from the 1967-75 years of "Search For Tomorrow," especially episodes with the following actors, please upload them on You Tube, and make copies of your videos for The Paley Center in NYC..

[@jaym5118]

The one at 2:00 is the one I remember. My mom used to watch this all the time before Days of Our Lives came on. The only person I remember from this show is Matthew Ashford (who's also Jack Deveraux on Days of Our Lives)..

[@RobGa66]

The opening that was used in 1982, was it first used when the show was still on CBS, or was it first used when the show moved to NBC?

[@dexx600]

The new theme debuted around Christmas 1981 still on CBS.

[@trippytrellis7033]

I remember 74-81as if it were yesterday. Memories as a kid of the seventies.

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures Don'tget me wrong, I miss "Search For Tomorrow" too. But sometimes, in fact usually, it is just impossible to recapture the past by bringing something back. Be happy you have good memories of "Search" when you enjoyed it. What is a shame is that virtually no episodes were salvaged (either on kinescope or videotape) from the best years of "Search," between 1965-75, most specifically from 1967-72, when the soap had its best cast, and storylines to match the great acting.

[@TimsDale4ever]

@SoapsGoldenAge You're right of course -- but the 81-82 version was still good too. I quit watching when it moved to NBC and "thought" I didn't like the look and feel of the show toward the end. Oddly, I would love to see those last 4 years now as I'm sure they would far surpass anything on today's shows.

[@tammylewis2408]

In the 1980s, many soaps, except Days of Our Lives (which would retain its 1972 hourglass opening well into the early 90s before modernizing it), wanted the soap intros to have a more youthful, more modern look, cashing in on the success of General Hospital after its move from CBS to NBC.

[@MrCJ-qz9dl]

I remember watching SFT but these themes don't ever ring a bell.

[@gymnastix]

@gymnastix @gymnastix That was supposed to have read as follows: There was also another musical piece called "Interchange," by Bill Meeder, the original organist of "Search" (from 1951-69, although Chet Kinsbury played on the first broadcast only) that was used, I think, as "bumper" music mid-show, for a few years before 1969, when Ashley Miller replaced the deceased Meeder as organist until 1974, when the program's music was taken over by Elliot Lawrence Productions.

[@feleciagrasty3880]

Wow. I remember this from the early eighties!

[@alphauktelepictures]

@joemontco I agree, i'm sure at one time it was the pinnacle of daytime viewing, if only CBS had left it at 12:30, bring it back i say!

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures Peter Simon, like Mary Stuart, moved over to "(The) Guiding Light." playing "Dr, Ed Bauer" longer than even Mart Hulswit by the time "GL" was canceled. Courtney Sherman-Simon played shorter-run roles on several soaps, as well writing for daytime dramas.

[@louistenore2185]

while they were serching for tomorrow did they ever find it

[@annahanguiano8931]

hahaha ..the world may never know..As the World Turns. 😆

[@erikbunty2016]

Just let the "Guiding Light" lead you.

[@louistenore2185]

@@erikbunty2016 Ok i deserved that

[@shisley4]

Best days of Daytime TV, now it's boring talk shows!

[@atypicallavender77]

I don't remember what the theme song sounded like but i remember watching this show sometimes with my granny when I was a kid. i knew it had the blue sky and yellow writing in the beginning tho.

[@sylviahudson5737]

Remember Search For Tomorrow (I Love You)

[@gymnastix]

The actors on these highly-sought episodes of "Search For Tomorrow" are: Robby Benson, Jill Clayburgh, Joan Copeland, Anthony George, Ken Harvey, Joel Higgins, Leigh Lassen (aka "Natalie Israel"), Christopher Lowe, Robert Mandan, Dino Narazzano, Tommy Norden, Susan Sarandon, Courtney Sherman, Peter Simon. and Kelly Wood. Once again, if you have any video/kines of "Search For Tomorrow" episodes with the aforementioned actors, please upload to You Tube, with copies to New York's Paley Center..

[@ericpurkey7502]

My gradnmother watched search for tommorow when first came on.

[@gymnastix]

@thegreenhornet95 There was also an alternate, vocal version of the 1974-81 piano theme, used over the closing credits. There was also another musical piece called "Interchange," by original organist Cht Kinsbury played onthe first broadcast only) Bill Meeder, that was used, I think, as "bumper" music mid-show, for a few years before 1969, when Ashley Miller replaced the deceased Meeder as organist until 1974, when the program's music was taken over by Elliot Lawrence Productions.

[@mariellclement8092]

I remember the jazz saxophone version. The announcer was a female. A local NY Deejay named Allison "The Nightbird" Steele.

[@soap1919jt]

"Somewhere in the Night" was a pretty piece; however, it did not match such a title as "Search for Tomorrow" . . . at least not musically. The second theme (1974 thru 1981) was in my opinion, the one that most closely matched.

[@alphauktelepictures]

thanks, glad you liked it, does the eyeball version exist? it sounds like an excuse NOT to watch search for tomorrow

[@NelsonAspen]

@SoapsGoldenAge U should def post them...what a treat! Cheers mate :)

[@JeterSwisherFan88]

@453c Yeah...I never watched the show but I HAVE heard 'Somewhere in the Night' by Billy Chinnock, and his sung version was better than the weird version that opened SFT itself in its final year, 1986.

[@lindaeasley5606]

1951- 1973 sounded like funeral music

[@gymnastix]

@thegreenhornet95 Also, live organ or piano trumps recorded orchestral and synthesizer renditions hands-down. "Somewhere In The Night" (whether instrumental or vocals version, though I prefer the instrumental) was a catchy tune, but more suited to a prime time, action adventure series than to a soap, especially "Search For Tomorrow." If anything, with "Night" in its title, would have been more appropriate for "The Edge Of Night."

[@thunderbolt2145]

The theme from '74 to '81 is a rip-off from the guitar breaks in the instrumental "Telstar" by Joe Meek, and covered by the Ventures.

[@senorkaboom]

Search for Some Sorrow.

[@jeantoal8364]

Besides Prell, I remember it being sponsored by Breck hairspray, Dreft laundry detergent and Ajax.

[@gymnastix]

@thegreenhornet95 Thank you. I'm referring to the vocals version of the closing theme music used from 1974-78, not of "Somewhere In The Night," or any vocals version used in the NBC years (1982-86) of "Search." I have an audio file of the 1974-78 vocals version of "We'll Search For Tomorrow." But if you may send me (via the You Tube message system) the URL to a video of it, that would be great, will save me having to "search" (pun intended) for it myself.

[@stanbrown32]

I think I remember the clouds rolling by differently, too--like they were coming forward, toward the viewer. Maybe that was a midshow break? From about 1974-1976?

[@NelsonAspen]

I had it on tape (it never aired) and made the mistake of lending it to a colleague from "Another World," who never gave it back... He has since died and that eyeball may never be seen again. It was pretty awful! Same theme as the last version, tho.

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures I also agree with you CBS should have left well enough alone, and kept "Search" in its 12"30 p.m. perch, where it had reigned for years. The fact "The Hung & The Breastless" has done so well in that slot so many years disproves CBS' theory of soaps not drawing viewers at that time. And even with a slight loss of viewers, "Search" still outperformed its audience draw at 2:30 p.m. on CBS, which itself outdrew the 12:30p slot on NBC.

[@msgreeneyez26]

The last opening them seemed like the David Forsythe show, just saying...

[@lindaeasley5606]

One of the writers on the show in the 80s was his girlfriend ( Pam Long) so it's no wonder he got more story time than he deserved

[@frankieholmes500]

how may I get a copy of this music, song??

[@louistenore2185]

one more note say wasnt that a young Mathew ashford before he became Jack on days of our lives man im getting old

[@leczorn]

Yes, you're right!

[@louistenore2185]

I seem to remember the 74-81 theme as well

[@deloresjimenez79]

I remember I love the theme I do not think the music should be changed some things should not be tamper with. Its beautiful just the way it is.

[@gymnastix]

@thegreenhornet95 Miller also composed a piece called "Signature For Search For Tomorrow," used very briefly in 1974. I don't remember its melody, would be nice if it would surface somehow. I have a sentimental attachment to the first "Search For Tomorrow" theme, as it was used the longest. But the first version of the second theme, "We'll Search For Tomorrow," was prettier and the better one. I also liked its vocals version, used sometimes over the closing credits.

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures Mandan played "Sam Reynolds" 1965-70, the favorite of all Mary Stuart's suitors. Copeland played "Andrea Whiting" 1967-72, the best antagonist on "Search," possibly in all of daytime. Lassen was the next-to-last "Patty," daughter of "Jo," and played the role longer than any actress but another "LL," Lynn Loring, the first "Patty." Narazzano was "Patty's" first husband, "Dr. Len Whiting," son of "Sam" and "Andrea."

[@MaryMcghee-rv1cz]

Ho yes I watch all the time love it in joying that black white tv yes I fell in love with tv and soap the best day in our lives the beginning of it all the good old of watching my soap opera black white tv.fall in love having a life and baby.come up seen it all comeing to life the car the red light the bus so much more out there. To see this time now . We were happy care free what now in 2023 .what next to come it like a time we should never have to seen in the this time a head in the new year.😢😢 Of life now.

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures Harvey was "Doug Martin," the next-to-last husband of "Eunice," "Jo's" sister. And George played "Dr. Tony Vincent," the next-to-last husband of "Jo." I forgot to mention I would also like one of those four episodes to include real-life spouses Peter Simon and Courtney Sherman, who played marrried lawyers "Scott Phillips," & Cathy Parker Phillips," as well Chris Lowe, who played their adopted son, "Eric Leshinsky." "Scott" was the son of "Doug Martin."

[@BigSingh]

Actually, the one with the red logo debuted on December 23, 1981.

[@gymnastix]

@alphauktelepictures What use would there be in bringing "Search For Tomorrow" back now? Without Mary Stuart, that soap opera has lost its heart and soul, and without Larry Haines its wit. Plus many others are now gone too--Carl Low, Ann Williams, and Ken Harvey, among them. Soap operas on broadcast television are on the way out, anyway. It remains to be seen if soaps will succeed on the Internet, to be tested by the migration there of "All My Children."

[@tammylewis2408]

Days of Our Lives moved to Peacock in September 2022; one of the highest rated shows on the streaming network.

[@gymnastix]

@softwater88 Even better than the beautiful, orchestrated soaps music was the beautiful, live music, played on organ, or organ and piano, not only in the main title and closing credits sequences, but as incidental music throughout the program..

[@scootover7]

I can't deal with that opening music from the early years, when they put the piano in it, it's better, but I love the doves and that opening music from 1982-1986.

[@MrCJ-qz9dl]

Who is that @2:26? He looks like a young George Clooney.

[@pamh.5705]

Clarence Hodges Nope, not George...he was very dark haired with very dark eyebrows around this time period.

[@johnd9406]

At 2:26 was David Forsyth, who apparently was on a lot in Search's final years. He went on to play John Hudson on Another World for 10+ years. He has since been involved in photography as well as directing. I guess at certain angles there could be a bit of George Clooney about him.

[@josearmando9933]

is that murrie ?

[@sylviahudson5737]

Search For Tomorrow

[@louistenore2185]

i seem to remember the 1974 -78 theme

[@triciajohansen7124]

First Lady Pat Nixon watched it and liked Stu Bergman.