MovieChat Forums > The Rebel (1959) Discussion > Rebel on Saturdays MEtv

Rebel on Saturdays MEtv


Saw the rebel for first time since its original run in the 50s. johnny Cash not singing title song though listed in credits. A major scene poorly edited out.
Problems getting rights for song, I guess.

I once thought that once you had the rights to use music for an episode of a program it could be used in that episode forever. Shows what I know.

WKRP going into syndication was the first time I noticed this problem. R&R, which was a major part of this show, was edited out and replaced with generic stuff.

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My Family used to watch it all the time They dont make good
shows like this anymore .

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Right, Ron. We just got MeTV and I tuned in to the Rebel (archaic term), expecting the song, but there was no Johnny Yuma song, just an orchestral score. very disappointing.

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This series originally ran when I was six years old. The theme song (and Johnny Cash's vocal) made an impression on me which I've retained from childhood.

When I discovered a few months ago that MeTV now runs the REBEL series, I tuned in for curiosity about whether it was one that would hold up for me in adulthood. Like a few others I was initially disappointed to find the original song has been removed -- especially since that song was the root of my memory of the series. However, after several episodes I am not only satisfied that this is largely a VERY good series (I rated it an 8), but I have come to appreciate the replacement orchestral opening/closing theme as quite appropriate and moving, in melody and in arrangement.

And by the way, Cuneo, using THE REBEL as this series' title is a completely appropriate use of the term.

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Yeah I noticed that as well.
I figure it's a legal matter.
METV is mute to any messages to them. I've tried several times and the don't respond to anything.

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The rights to the Johnny Cash song are prohibitive and ME-TV isn't a wealthy network. In any case, we should be happy that "The Rebel" is on TV! I actually like the instrumental theme. "The Rebel" song is on many Johnny Cash greatest hits CDS and you can listen to it on YouTube. I bought the record (vinyl) album on eBay. The album's name is "The Rebel - Johnny Yuma" and contains four songs, plus interesting liner notes about the TV show (and a nice photo of Nick as Johnny Yuma). What an awesome treasure!

Here are the song lyrics:

Johnny Yuma was a rebel
He roamed through the West
Did Johnny Yuma, the rebel
He wandered alone

He got fighting mad this rebel lad
He packed no star as he wandered far
Where the only law was a hook and a draw
The rebel, Johnny Yuma
(Away, away, away rolled the rebel)

Johnny Yuma was a rebel
He roamed through the West
Did Johnny Yuma, the rebel
He wandered alone

He searched the land this restless lad
He was panther quick and leather tough
If he figured that he'd been pushed enough
The rebel, Johnny Yuma
(Away, away, away rolled the rebel)
(Johnny Yuma, Johnny Yuma)

Johnny Yuma was a rebel
He roamed through the West
Did Johnny Yuma, the rebel
He wandered alone

Fighting mad this rebel lad
With a dream he'd hold 'til his dying breath
He'd search his soul and gamble with death
The rebel, Johnny Yuma
(Away, away, away rolled the rebel)
(Johnny Yuma, Johnny Yuma)

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I don't know if the ME-TV broadcast are the first time The Rebel has been seen in reruns but if not, was it ever reshown with the original theme?

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