Emil Cadkin facts for kids

Emil Milton Cadkin (born August 26, 1920 – died December 16, 2020) was an American composer. He wrote music for many TV shows and movies. He was especially known for creating "production music." This is music made specifically for use in films, TV, and commercials.

Emil worked with other talented composers like William Loose and Harry Bluestone. Some of his music was also featured on APM Music. His compositions appeared in popular cartoons like Gumby and Hanna-Barbera's Augie Doggie. He created music from the 1940s through the 1960s.

Emil's Early Life

Emil Cadkin was born in August 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children. His parents, Isadore and Sarah Cadkin, came from the Russian Empire in 1905. By 1936, his father worked as a cabinet maker in Los Angeles.

Emil went to Yale University. There, he studied music, focusing on composing and music theory. By 1942, he was writing and teaching music in Los Angeles. He then joined the Air Force. He even copyrighted a song called I Have Everything I Want But You in 1938.

Making Music for Movies and TV

After leaving the Air Force, Emil started scoring films. One of his early works was for "The Big Fix" in 1947. In 1948, he became an editor for ASCAP's magazine, 'The Score'.

By 1958, he got a job as a music director at Ritco Productions. This company made western movies starring Forrest Tucker. Emil later became a music director and arranger for Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems. He also helped provide taped music for radio stations.

For about ten years, Emil wrote his own music. He also co-wrote music with Bill Loose. This music ended up in various music libraries, like Capitol Hi-Q. These libraries made it easy for filmmakers and TV producers to find music for their projects.

Creating Music Libraries

Emil Cadkin is widely known for a big idea. He came up with and created the first production music libraries in the United States. These were the PMS, OK, and PM libraries, started in the early 1950s. These libraries made it much easier for TV and film producers to find and use music.

Ensuring Music Credit

From around 1959 until the 1970s, Emil Cadkin wrote thousands of musical pieces. He wrote some by himself and others with William Loose. A company called GRH Music, which Emil and Loose formed, managed the use of these songs.

Later, there was a disagreement about who wrote some of the music. Emil's lawyer argued that his name was removed as a writer. This meant he wasn't getting paid for his work. The case went to court, but it was eventually dropped.

In the end, Emil Cadkin and his lawyer succeeded. All of Emil's compositions are now correctly credited to him. This was handled through Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI).

Emil Cadkin's Music Projects

Emil Cadkin worked on many different projects. He composed music, directed musical scores, and even edited music for TV shows and films.

Film Music

• The Big Fix (1947)
• Three on a Ticket (1947)
• Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958)
• The Killer Shrews (1959)
• The Devil's Bedroom (1964)
• Navajo Run (1966)

Television Shows

• Real People (composer: theme music - 50 episodes) 1979-1984
• Tarzan (orchestrator - 7 episodes) 1967
• Lassie's Great Adventure (composer: stock music - uncredited) 1963
• Hazel (music editor - 40 episodes) 1961-1962
• Our Man Higgins (music supervisor - 1 episode) 1962
• Davey and Goliath (composer - 3 episodes) 1960-1962
• The Donna Reed Show (music editor - 40 episodes) 1961-1962
• Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse (composer - 93 episodes) 1960-1962
• Window on Main Street (music editor - 7 episodes) 1961
• Tallahassee 7000 (composer: theme music) 1961
• Quick Draw McGraw (composer - 37 episodes) 1959-1960
• Happy (composer: theme music) 1960
• The Ruff & Reddy Show (composer - 61 episodes) 1957-1960
• The Huckleberry Hound Show (composer - 1 episode) 1960
• Dennis the Menace (composer - 5 episodes) 1959
• Father Knows Best (composer - 203 episodes) 1954-1960

Soundtrack Contributions

Emil Cadkin's music has been used in many soundtracks, sometimes without being credited.

• SpongeBob SquarePants (music - 12 episodes, 2002 - 2016)
• Camp Lazlo (music - 60 episodes) 2005-2008
• The Loud House (music - 1 episode) 2016
• Tender Waves (writer: "Busy People") 2013
• Paranormal Activity 4 (writer: "Alien Abduction", "Evil Alien Attack 1") 2012
• Frankenweenie (writer: "Death of the Alien 1") 2012
• The Rum Diary (writer: "Go Cat Go") 2011
• Boardwalk Empire (writer - 1 episode) 2010
• The Back-up Plan (writer: "Daisy Belle", "Golden Slippers") 2010
• The Mighty B! (music - 1 episode) 2009
• Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film (music: "Battle to the Death", "Lurching Monster" - uncredited) 2008
• Sunday Pants (music - 1 episode) 2005
• Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (writer: "Romantic Closing") 2004
• 30 Days Until I'm Famous (arranger: "La Cucaracha") 2004
• Ren & Stimpy 'Adult Party Cartoon' (music - 2 episodes) 2003
• In America (writer: "Finger of Suspicion" Pt. 1) 2002
• Frida (writer: "Battle to the Death") 2002
• Boo Boo Runs Wild (music: "Eccentric Comedy (5-TC-300)" - uncredited) 1999
• The World's Greatest Magic 3 (music: "First Night" - uncredited) 1996
• Jimmy Hollywood ("Musical Excerpts") 1994
• Flesh and Bone (writer: "Music From 'The Untouchables' Original T.V. Series") 1993
• The Best of Benny Hill (music: "Foxtrot" - uncredited) 1974
• Night of the Living Dead (music: "Battle to the Death", "Finger of Suspicion" - uncredited) 1968
• Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers! (music: "Let's Tango" - uncredited) 1968
• The Hellcats (music: "Come On Baby" - uncredited) 1968
• Out of This World (music: "Light Vermillion (PG-263)" - uncredited) 1964
• Century 21 Calling ... (music: "PG-263 - Light Vermillion", "PG-275 - Daffodil Yellow" - uncredited) 1962
• The Killer Shrews (music: "Finger of Suspicion 1", "Finger of Suspicion 2", "Cliffhanger 1" - uncredited) 1959
• Gunsmoke in Tucson (writer: "I Need a Man") 1958
• Gopher Broke (music: "Comic Cues #26" - uncredited) 1958
• Hook, Line and Stinker (music: "Puzzled Pup" - uncredited) 1958
• Space Master X-7 (music: "Whirlybirds" - uncredited) 1958
• The Gumby Show (music - 1 episode) 1957

Composer Credits

• Mission to Death 1966
• Navajo Run 1964
• The Devil's Bedroom 1964
• Shannon (TV Series) 1961
• The Hathaways (TV Series) 1961
• The Killer Shrews 1959
• Judge Roy Bean (TV Series) 1956
• Bury Me Dead 1947
• Philo Vance's Secret Mission 1947
• Heartaches 1947
• The Big Fix 1947
• Three on a Ticket 1947
• The Devil on Wheels 1947