As the World Turns
The turning globe that gave American daytime its most-copied image, over fifty-four years.
As the World Turns rebuilt its titles: two distinct opening sequences are catalogued here across seasons 41 and 52, running between 30 and 45 seconds.
It arrived on CBS in 1956, when Candid Camera, Guiding Light and Truth or Consequences were also on the network.
Only 139 of the 2,618 shows catalogued here changed their titles at all; As the World Turns did so once.
All 2 opening title sequences
Season 41
45sFan upload of the long 1996 opening; counting a season per year from the April 1956 launch, that is the forty-first.
Season 52
30sFan upload of the 2007 titles; counting a season per year from the April 1956 launch, that is the fifty-second.
More drama opening titles from the 1950s
1 sequence
Bonanza
A burning map and four men riding out of it — one of the first title sequences designed to show off colour television, which is precisely why it looks like that.
- Season 1
2 sequences
Guiding Light
Seventy-two years on radio and television between them — the longest-running story ever told in any medium.
- Season 44
- Season 51
1 sequenceRawhide
A cattle drive that never arrives, with Frankie Laine's theme and a young Clint Eastwood.
- Season 1
1 sequenceThe Rifleman
A widowed rancher and his son, opened by twelve rounds fired down a street in under ten seconds.
- Season 1
1 sequenceWagon Train
A wagon company crossing to California, and the series Gene Roddenberry pitched Star Trek against.
- Season 1
1 sequenceHave Gun – Will Travel
A gunfighter who advertises in the newspaper, and one of the first westerns to open on a business card.
- Seasons 1–6