:( Maybe this is a weird idea for a thread---but after watching some of the old segments, do any of you all get some of the music stuck in your heads...particularly at inconvenient times like when it's dark out? It happens to me quite a bit. I've been watching the compilation DVD's lately.

What, in your opinion, are the worst recurring tunes you've heard on classic UM? The shrieking "Update" theme is a given.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I'm actually also not a big fan of the "regular" Update theme either---especially when they keep playing it and you realize there's a bunch of eerie sounds thrown in with those electronic "telecast" sounds.

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

By the way ... I think this a good topic , because when I was growing up ... I would be outside in the dark , having to do something , and this music would come into my mind along with the composites :eek:

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

I think I know what you're talking about in the Rachel Runyan segment---it's very unnerving. I think the same music was used in the Kevin Ives/Don Henry segment when they're out walking in the woods.

I think I know what you're talking about in the Rachel Runyan segment---it's very unnerving. I think the same music was used in the Kevin Ives/Don Henry segment when they're out walking in the woods.
You gave me chills !!!!!!!! that is exactly it !!!!! :eek:

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.

I think this thread is a great idea and I think the fact that we are discussing the music now, all these years later, just further reinforces how well put together the old school UM was. The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the slow storytelling, Stack's narration etc. all came together to make one damn fine show.

I'm sorry!! :( That one is quite terrible, too. I also really don't like that bit they played when "Jane" was sitting in her car drinking her coke, and the NH serial killer pulls up beside her. God, do I hate that one.

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.

I think this thread is a great idea and I think the fact that we are discussing the music now, all these years later, just further reinforces how well put together the old school UM was. The atmosphere, the music, the scenery, the slow storytelling, Stack's narration etc. all came together to make one damn fine show.

I remember that music from the Jeremy Bright segment. It sounds like it could be straight out of a horror movie.

And I completely agree with that final statement on old UM---watching it could definitely be a wild ride. Absolutely nothing like it.

I wish they would release these tracks of disc. It would be great for the fans. Does anyone have any of the isolated music tracks from the original show? Besides the theme...

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I have to agree with this one for sure :eek:

Hey Meg I agree with you about that piano music! :eek:

I'd like to add Nyleen Kay Marshall, just in the beginning of the segment where they show her picture and there's a really creepy sound effect, really made me shiver! :eek:

The worst is the music used during the update on the Baskins and Maples case with that sudden loud shrieking noise. My fave UM music is the piano music palyed during the The Sweetheart Swindler segment and many othe rcon man segments. I also like the music played duringh the NH serial killer segment where the guy has the woman under hypnosis. It is the sam ething over an over and then climaxes before starting over again.

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt. This same piece was used in the Gary Grant Jr. segment when his mother was shown looking in dumpsters for Gary's body. It also popped up in the Lake Champlain "Champ" segment when Stack was talking about historical accounts of sightings. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I'm sure some of you will know what I'm talking about.

Amazing what one can do with a synthesizer, huh?

It would be cool if someone made MP3s of some of these selections, if for no other reason than to further this discussion. Although I'm sure that would be a copyright violation.

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt. This same piece was used in the Gary Grant Jr. segment when his mother was shown looking in dumpsters for Gary's body. It also popped up in the Lake Champlain "Champ" segment when Stack was talking about historical accounts of sightings. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I'm sure some of you will know what I'm talking about.

Amazing what one can do with a synthesizer, huh?

It would be cool if someone made MP3s of some of these selections, if for no other reason than to further this discussion. Although I'm sure that would be a copyright violation.

I know that piece---it's an ominous piano piece with sort of higher notes.

I refuse to watch the Cindy James and Blair Adams segments in the dark. Not necessarily because they're scarier than others, but because of that really awful, very creepy music that plays in the parts where they're searching around Cindy's house, and during the hotel security camera video of Blair walking in and out of the lobby numerous times before finally deciding to get a room. I think there was also a little bit of it in the Tracy Kirkpatrick segment, too---but just because of that phone call from "Don", I won't even watch that one past six pm.

I really wish we could have MP3s, too---it'd make all this much easier to explain (and it'd just be cool to have them). I have to admit that it's funny we all know exactly what the other's talking about when we describe these things like "ding...dong....ding...dong" and "DUH DUH!" :cool:

Just thought of another one...

There is an ominous piece during the Jeffrey MacDonald segment (technically Final Appeal, not UM but they used the same music) when he is being attacked by the hippies. It is has a couple slow "whistle" type tone in it. Again, it's very had to describe. I think the same piece was used in the Darlie Routier segment when pictures of the bloody sock were shown.

Might I also nominate that horribly nerve-racking bit they play at the end of the NH serial killer segment (that one's full of musical gems) as they're showing the composite sketch (although it kind of reminds me of a face you might see in archive photos of the Dust Bowl or something, it's still pretty damn scary). I can't think of any other segment I've heard it in...maybe the convenience store/pizza parlor murder cases (the ones that were thought to be connected, where the victims were all shot execution-style), but I'm not 100% certain.

Just thought of another one...

There is an ominous piece during the Jeffrey MacDonald segment (technically Final Appeal, not UM but they used the same music) when he is being attacked by the hippies. It is has a couple slow "whistle" type tone in it. Again, it's very had to describe. I think the same piece was used in the Darlie Routier segment when pictures of the bloody sock were shown.

Now that's one I'm not familiar with. I'm itching to find out, though.

There is an unnerving piece played during the Kurt Sova segment when Kurt's Dad is exploring the basement of the duplex looking for Kurt.

That scene (and the music) scared the crap out of me. There's that one lightbulb hanging from ceiling and then the cot looking like someone had just slept in it. Too freaky, gives me nightmares.

That scene (and the music) scared the crap out of me. There's that one lightbulb hanging from ceiling and then the cot looking like someone had just slept in it. Too freaky, gives me nightmares.

Yeah, and the part where they show Kurt actually in the cot, tossing and turning around with that danged light bulb swinging around like crazy. Creeps me out. And the very end, with that really scary tune and the close zoom-in on Kurt's face.


After some thought and a couple of subsequent viewings, I've decided it's definitely a draw between Son of Sam Pt. 2/Baskin Children Update (as it's the same music) and the New Hampshire Serial Killer for Scariest UM Music Of All Time.

This doesn't exactly fits into music, but did anyone find the background sounds in the Richard's Rampage episode absolutely terrifying? It's the scene when Church goes into his former girlfriend's house to attack her. Easily the creepiest scene for me from UM. It's difficult to describe the sound.

This doesn't exactly fits into music, but did anyone find the background sounds in the Richard's Rampage episode absolutely terrifying? It's the scene when Church goes into his former girlfriend's house to attack her. Easily the creepiest scene for me from UM. It's difficult to describe the sound.

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. The music is like a thudding sound and also some scary piano in the background. They played the same music during the Anthrax segment. I actually refuse to watch the Church segment BECAUSE OF THAT MUSIC.

on the other hand, the weakest music was on the Punky Gustavson episode. We all know that UM is known for its music which adds up tension, but this time it was really out of hand.

When they discover the body of this little girl named Mandy there comes the most inappropriate music you can imagine - sort of puppet master or any other Full Moon Studio's cheesy tune with fanfare! I am not sure whether it was original UM tune or it was dubbed by mexican TV.

Not really music---but that HORRIBLE sound effect when the "I LOVE YOU CINDY BY GW" wall is shown up close in the Cindy Anderson segment. Makes me shiver.

Ha! The background music has actually been a very popular topic here on this board for years. It never gets old because it IS that creepy.

The update for the kidnapped Baskin children still haunts me to this day even though it's really just a scarier version of the UM theme song.

Like others mentioned, the music playing while Kurt Sova's father was searching through Susan's basement for his son was VERY scary. It was also played during the Blind River rest stop murders segment when they showed the actual police video tape of Brian Major's car the morning after the murders.

Not too many people remember this scene since it was cut out of the Lifetime version but in the Brad Bishop segment, the scene that shows him in the hardware store buying the hammer and gas can he would later use to murder his family with was kind of creepy. It was just a series of beats but it was bad.

I've said this before but I always wished the show could have released all that background music on to a CD. It would have been nice to play on Halloween for the trick-or-treaters.

EDIT: I almost forgot! The creepy music playing in the background for pretty much the entire first half of the Bobbi Oberholzter/Annette Schnee segment. The discovery of the bodies, of Jeff driving through Breckenridge at night and then the discovery of Bobbi's backpack the following morning...haunting!

Definitely the music coupled with the police composite in the Blind River case....absolutely horrifying

This thread brings back such good memories (as bad as that may sound...haha). I loved the old UM so much....the music was the best.

I also wanted to add that I really liked Lifetime's Update music when the text was on the screen telling when a case was solved. It was creepy :)

Might I also nominate that horribly nerve-racking bit they play at the end of the NH serial killer segment (that one's full of musical gems) as they're showing the composite sketch (although it kind of reminds me of a face you might see in archive photos of the Dust Bowl or something, it's still pretty damn scary). I can't think of any other segment I've heard it in...maybe the convenience store/pizza parlor murder cases (the ones that were thought to be connected, where the victims were all shot execution-style), but I'm not 100% certain.



Now that's one I'm not familiar with. I'm itching to find out, though.

That whole segment really freaked me out. I remember the part when the psychologist was wandering through the woods doing his profile by himself. All I kept thinking was "Dude, you're next!" The music still freaks me out to this day.

That whole segment really freaked me out. I remember the part when the psychologist was wandering through the woods doing his profile by himself. All I kept thinking was "Dude, you're next!" The music still freaks me out to this day.

I know! Those woods looked so dark and foreboding. I know there was an entire film crew present during the segment, but if I were that psychologist I would've NEVER had enough gall to go out there by myself. Ever.

When I was at Fort Lewis for training (I'm in the Army Reserve), we had to go out and negotiate a land navigation course (where you're tested on your ability to find your way with just a map and compass). These courses are always out in the middle of the woods, and let me tell you, those forests at Fort Lewis look so much like the woods in that segment. And that's all I could think about walking around---at night, and by myself. I got finished with that course as quickly as humanly possible.

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. The music is like a thudding sound and also some scary piano in the background. They played the same music during the Anthrax segment. I actually refuse to watch the Church segment BECAUSE OF THAT MUSIC.

What about the silent parts of that segment? UM did a great job of making that one as scary as possible - and the quick insert shot of him brandishing the knife/blade as the music starts is priceless.

What about the silent parts of that segment? UM did a great job of making that one as scary as possible - and the quick insert shot of him brandishing the knife/blade as the music starts is priceless.

That's what makes the Church segment so unique in its scariness, I think. It's the only one that I can think of where they cut out the sound like that. I honestly believe you can stack up (no pun intended :p) some of these segments against any horror movie, and they'll all be ten times scarier.

Speaking of which, I think the lack of music sometimes can add more to a segment. If I recall correctly, the Clarence Roberts segment didn't really have much music in it, but for some reason that made it creepy as hell.

I recently re-watched the Ayleen Conway segment. The music playing when they show all of the weird things in the Conway home---the water hose in the pool, the iron on, the phone off the hook, the full bathtub---was a little scary.

This will probably sound really stupid, but the old ending theme gave me nightmares. The one with the saxophone or whatever playing the melody. I don't know why it creeps me out so much...

This will probably sound really stupid, but the old ending theme gave me nightmares. The one with the saxophone or whatever playing the melody. I don't know why it creeps me out so much...

It's not stupid...it used to freak me out. I was 10 when the show came out. As much as I loved it, it would freak me out during the credits every Wednesday night.

Yeah, but I was like 15. Maybe it's still not weird, but it kinda feels weird to me. A lot of the music was so creepy. I think it's really what made the show so great, though.

All of the music used was effective but some of the best IMO...

During the scene in 'Richard's Rampage' when Rick was breaking into the Reed home. Thump-thump, thump-thump... That music was also used in 'Orange Sock Murders'.

In the Joe Sheppard segment when he and the detectives were in the woods about to exhume Kathy Clowers. I do not think I have heard that piece anywhere else.

In the Rhonda Hinson segment when the witness was under hypnosis.

In the Rhonda Hinson segment when the witness was under hypnosis.

That in combination with the slow-motion re-enactment of the car speeding away from where Hinson's car was found...then of rolling by the scene....made that whole segment pretty unsettling. I know that entire hypnosis dialog by heart. :crazy:

The Cheryl Holland segment had some pretty scary music in it, particularly during the interview of Eddie Wooten and the re-enactment of Holland dumping the Harveys' car in the river and torching their house.

The Cheryl Holland segment had some pretty scary music in it, particularly during the interview of Eddie Wooten and the re-enactment of Holland dumping the Harveys' car in the river and torching their house.

Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about. I often skip over that segment because it's so disturbing. What a terrible way to die, that poor couple. I'm glad Cheryl Holland was caught.

Just thought of another good one that I don't think has been mentioned - the Mickey Thompson segment. Watch the part where the two hitmen are shown escaping on bicycles. Very creepy tune playing there. Kind of a "swirling" sound that reminds me of the piece used at the start of the Nyleen Kaye Marshall segment.

To me, the soft, yet eerie music at the end of Bradford Bishop's segment starting from the moment footage of his children and his couple while they were still alive is being showed all the way to the end is chilling to the core.

While I didn't find this music scary, there is some very haunting music played during the Dottie Caylor segment (special 4) when the actress playing Dottie is seen standing on the railroad platform while Stack says "no one knows if Dottie boarded the train that day.." or something along those lines. The music is very solemn and sad yet has a yearning quality to it.


agreed. that is the most memorable music for me. I fear Dottie is dead, but that music has a 'vanished into thin air' quality about it.

The music used in the ghost segments used to scare the hell out of me...now that I think about it, the music definitely set the tone and made the series for me.

To me, the soft, yet eerie music at the end of Bradford Bishop's segment starting from the moment footage of his children and his couple while they were still alive is being showed all the way to the end is chilling to the core.

That and also I thought the music that was played when the police officer went to check the Bishop home for the first time and saw blood droplets on the front doorway. I wonder what he was expecting before he saw that.....

And, the music on the Canadian UFO segment (on the UFOs boxed set) where a Canadian woman sees something in a field (an apparent UFO sighting) and someone known only as 'GUARDIAN' sends a video tape of the same sighting. That took place about 4 hours from where I live. Anyway, there's a scene in that segment where they film just the mysterious infromant's hands typing his name G-U-A-R-D-I-A-N....scary background music.....with RS saying, "Virtually nothing is known about Guardian's identity".....with the phony 'DND' paper on his typing table. CREEPY and AWESOME at the same time!

Two more for now. Cindy Anderson's nightmare and the Zodiac Killer walking away from the '2 cops who pulled a goof' who saw him on the streets the night of Paul Stine's murder.............

Cheers

It's not stupid...it used to freak me out. I was 10 when the show came out. As much as I loved it, it would freak me out during the credits every Wednesday night.

yeah that saxaphone music at the end did it for me. when i was little, it didn't seem to bother me much, but when i was in college, i would set my vcr to tape episodes on lifetime while i was in class. I would watch them late night after class and homework, and made sure i hit stop before the ending music started. :eek:

:( The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

agreed.

also, at the very end of the Kurt McFall segment, when his father is visiting the grave, there is some memorable music there.

I recently re-watched the Ayleen Conway segment. The music playing when they show all of the weird things in the Conway home---the water hose in the pool, the iron on, the phone off the hook, the full bathtub---was a little scary.

I know the piece you're describing. I have only heard it one other time - during the first special hosted by Raymond Burr. The Don Kemp case.

I was surprised to hear it again during the Conway story. It was kind of a loose connection to those first specials that were "lost" because Lifetime never aired them.

I know the piece you're describing. I have only heard it one other time - during the first special hosted by Raymond Burr. The Don Kemp case.

I was surprised to hear it again during the Conway story. It was kind of a loose connection to those first specials that were "lost" because Lifetime never aired them.

Yeah---I remember that now that you mention it.

It seems those early specials before UM was a regular series had some of the most memorable although not necessarily scary pieces. The Missy Munday/Jerry Strickland segment has some piano lines that have gotten stuck in my head on multiple occasions---pretty stirring music, actually. And of course that little synthesizer bit during the re-enactment of Strickland and Munday fleeing to their happy home outside Detroit!

The Swedish hitchhikers segment has a frightening little piece in it that's difficult to describe, although I know for certain I've heard it in other segments. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

It seems those early specials before UM was a regular series had some of the most memorable although not necessarily scary pieces. The Missy Munday/Jerry Strickland segment has some piano lines that have gotten stuck in my head on multiple occasions---pretty stirring music, actually. And of course that little synthesizer bit during the re-enactment of Strickland and Munday fleeing to their happy home outside Detroit!

Yes, that was a haunting piece, wasn't it? I don't think it was used much (if ever). They played the whole thing over the closing credits of that special - special 5.

Another haunting piece was played over the end credits of special 3. I can't recall if the piece was used elsewhere. The end credits of that special show clips from the Lutter story but I always think of Consagra's case when I think of that music. I've often wondered if he got to watch the special in prison when it first aired. Weird thought I know...

There is some upbeat music in special 7 during the John Yount story. Watch the part where he is driving his car and picks up that girl from class (who would become his victim).

While not necessarily scary, there is some very cool music in those early specials.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment

OMG that is so true, you get that freaky early 80s horror movie feeling from watching that; with the two story wooden houses, that creepy music and all. Makes me think of the Amityville Horror or The house by the cemetery :eek:

How about that pyschotic music during the Tracy Kirkpatrick (sp?) episode where the psychic reads the letter from the telephone confessor.

Haunting

Recently rediscovered frightening music:

- The piece played during the re-enactment of David Stone wandering through the desert, talking to himself and waving his arms towards the end of the segment. It's a weird composition with strange "spacey" effects that remind me of some old alien invasion movie or something, and it's scary as hell. It can also be found in the Swedish hitchhikers segment.

- The music played when Bashir is sitting in his cell and just about every scene where he answers a phone in the L'enfant segment.

My first thoughts were the Richard Church segment and the Doreen Picard segment. It's the discourse in the piano chords or something.

The other piece of music I always found kind of creepy was a little more obscure....it's heard at the end of the Michael Rosenblum segment and the Donald Webb segment (where the give the description of Webb). THAT was the one that freaked me out, especially at night. I'm not sure how to describe it - it kind of builds....

Also, the music at the start of the Kathy Bonderson segment, which was also used in other segments (Jim Burnside and others). Very ominous!

Oooh....what about the music during the overhead shot of the area where they found Beverly McGowan's body? That was a little freaky too!

Also, the music playing when Richard Bockledge shoots Tanja Kopric is really scary too!

Definitely the music coupled with the police composite in the Blind River case. It was absolutely horrifying!

Dang...ALL the music in UM was deliciously creepy! The only stuff that was really happy was the Audrey Moate "I'm going to meet my lover" big band and the stuff they used to play for the updates of lost loves....well, I would cry on occasion with those, but it was still happy.

Dang...ALL the music in UM was deliciously creepy!

I totally agree with you on that one!! Music from a horror movie could never be creepier than UM. It was totally original, unlike anything that I've ever heard.

I totally agree with you on that one!! Music from a horror movie could never be creepier than UM. It was totally original, unlike anything that I've ever heard.

Yes. I think the music was instrumental (PUN INTENDED :p ) in giving the show its unique, eerie atmosphere. My only wish was that Spike would have respected that when they redid the series. That sluggish, heavy metal music is a farce. So not the spirit of the show.:(

I personally believe the scariest music in the series is the original theme song. I remember watching my very first episode...way back when...thinking just how creepy the music was. It has that foreboding sound to it like be cautious for whatever is to come. Just haunting music! And beautiful.

Hmmm...creepy music...



* The "shrieking update" that comes very fast and builds to a sudden high pitched "DUH DUH!!!" (Yeah, another great description) This music was used during the infamous Baskin children update (where a viewer sent in recent photos of them). It was also used in some "Special Alert" segments such as the one about the father (was his name Gibson?) mugged and killed in an LA apartment complex by members of a street gang. It was also used quite a bit during the Son of Sam two part report from 1988.


I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. To me, that is the scariest music on unsolved. When I hear it, I get chills. Especially if I'm home alone. UM was brilliant in terms of trying to scare its audience, especially via music.

Also, the music playing when Richard Bockledge shoots Tanja Kopric is really scary too!

YES.


Here's some music that I don't necessarily find scary, but very memorable:

- The recurring melody that plays throughout the John William Wood segment. It's sort of a soft synthesizer piece. I've never heard it anywhere else.

- The Gail Delano segment. The opening music, the piece that's playing in the reenactment of John Scott finding the missing poster in the truck stop, and the closing music I think are all peculiar to that segment only.

- The Joyce McLain segment, in the portion describing her life in East Millinocket before she was murdered.


Also--does anyone else think the guitar just when William Bradford Bishop is pulling a body out of his car is really '80s action movie-ish?

Ohio prostitue killings. When they are showing the pics of the victoms, I have to say the music being played is quite chilling IMO.

Interesting thread... This show creeped me out when I was a kid, mostly because of the very creatively sinister background music. The composers did an excellent job with those scores. IMO, the music that gets my vote is the piece used when Kurt Sova's dad searches the basement of the duplex looking for his missing son. This segment scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it when it first aired back in November of 1988. It's a case that has stayed with me throughout the years just because of how strange it was. So many unanswered questions and I felt terrible for his mom.

Interesting thread... This show creeped me out when I was a kid, mostly because of the very creatively sinister background music. The composers did an excellent job with those scores. IMO, the music that gets my vote is the piece used when Kurt Sova's dad searches the basement of the duplex looking for his missing son. This segment scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it when it first aired back in November of 1988. It's a case that has stayed with me throughout the years just because of how strange it was. So many unanswered questions and I felt terrible for his mom.

Yes, I remember that selection from the Kurt Sova case. It was very chilling. What do you think happened to Kurt?

The background music in that one episode about the New Hampshire serial killer was spooky. The background music in the Nyleen Kay Marshall episode with the letter was spooky.

Whoever mentioned the Tallman's Ghost music earlier in this thread is right on the money. Particularly the heartbeat-themed music they play when Allen Tallman is entering his house late at night while he hears the mysterious voice and then sees his garage on fire.

One music cue from that segment that always chills me to the bone is when the boy sees a scary vision by the Christmas tree and they play this VERY ominous version of the beat children commonly use to taunt each other ("na na na na na na"). They've re-used that cue numerous times in other segments and it never fails to creep me out.

A recently bumped thread reminded me: the Tim McClure segment, at the very end where the picture of his mother Terri is shown. That musical effect they use right as her photo shows up on the screen is chilling.

Frankly, I think the scariest music is that goofy country tune they play whenever they show a bar scene.

A recently bumped thread reminded me: the Tim McClure segment, at the very end where the picture of his mother Terri is shown. That musical effect they use right as her photo shows up on the screen is chilling.

I watched the McClure segment last night so I know what you mean. The sound had kind of a tingly swirling effect to it.

There is some good music elsewhere in that segment too. I like the haunting ballad-type piece played during the introduction when McClure is playing slots with his mother.

There is some deep, dark, ominous depressing sounding tune played when he is calling the credit card company on Friday...errr, Monday. That sticks with me too.

OT, Meg, - do you think the segment producers thought McClure was guilty? I got that vibe.

OT, Meg, - do you think the segment producers thought McClure was guilty? I got that vibe.

Yeah, I tend to think so. Perhaps my own feelings on the case sway my opinion, but with what the segment producers had to work with, I guess the evidence tends to speak for itself.

About the only portion of the segment where Tim McClure isn't presented with a cloud of suspicion over him is towards the end, where RS says those close to to McClure claim he could've never have killed his own mother. Immediately after that, he goes on to speak of McClure's singular, perhaps suspicious appeal for someone "out there" to substatiate his alibi for January 14, 1983.

Those parts where it plays like some nice, sentimental paino then that ominous growl creeps in. ugh gives me chills!

I have to agree with the baskins update music. I remember seeing this when I was young home alone and being terrified.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

Yeah, this bit kills me. It sounds to me like a piano with the strings muted with an object, although it could be a synthesizer approximating that sound. There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series. This music (and much of the creepy stuff during the early years that is reminiscent of the bits in these two segments) is very dissonant. Rather than just having, say, a minor key chord progression, this UM music just trudges from one evil note to the next, so to speak, without a harmonic center. Stuff like this is usually found in certain horror movies. The ones I can think of off the top of my head are parts of the scores for the first two Friday the 13th movies, and Black Christmas (1974).

I also wanted to add that I really liked Lifetime's Update music when the text was on the screen telling when a case was solved. It was creepy :)


This was used to maximum effect on the Doreen Marfeo update - when that text popped up on screen stating that her husband killed his girlfriend, then himself. The music plus the sheer creepiness of the update was a scary one-two punch.

I see a lot of music described, but I'm not sure if it is describing my favorite piece. There is a lo-fi keyboard rhythm that pops up every once in awhile that's really creepy - it was at the end of the Chandra Levy segment, and it was also played in the segment about the off-duty cop who is found dead (not sure if its suicide or murder) as well as another segment about a relative presumed MIA in WWII (forgive me for not knowing the specifics of these last two).

There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series.

I've spent many a sleepless night thinking about that synth cello sound. That loud, low, single stroke is so creepy. In that segment you can hear it prominently in the reenactment of the killer hiding the pipe in the closet. I also remember it being in the Rhonda Hinson segment.

the first two Friday the 13th movies

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

"There is also that synth cello prominently used in the Doreen Picard segment and throughout the series. This music (and much of the creepy stuff during the early years that is reminiscent of the bits in these two segments) is very dissonant. Rather than just having, say, a minor key chord progression, this UM music just trudges from one evil note to the next, so to speak, without a harmonic center. Stuff like this is usually found in certain horror movies."


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=815494287402485525#

(Can I do this when it's not from the main, to-be-unnamed, site that has these?)

The Cheryl Holland segment had some pretty scary music in it, particularly during the interview of Eddie Wooten and the re-enactment of Holland dumping the Harveys' car in the river and torching their house.

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

I know you're kidding, but that's usually what people think of with the score, or the Psycho-esque violins. I'm referring more to the other sounds (including a smilarly creepy cello) in the score. My point being, UM had some very unique and totally creepy music that separated it from virtually any other TV show (at least pre-Lifetime anyways).

Ki-ki-ki-ma-ma-ma....:p

and here I always thought it was

Chi-chi-chi-ahh-ahh-ahh

I feel stupid now.

and here I always thought it was

Chi-chi-chi-ahh-ahh-ahh

I feel stupid now.

Apparently Harry Manfredini, when composing the score for Friday the 13th, recorded someone saying "Kill" and "Mom", and shortened the words to the initial sounds (I started to say syllables :rolleyes:). At least that's how the story goes; it smacks slightly of urban legend, but who knows.


I remember The Shining having some terribly frightening, albeit very artfully modern music in it, to include Prendrecki's De Natura Sonoris I and The Awakening of Jacob, Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta (III), and Ligeti's Lontano. Every one of those pieces, exactly like the music featured on UM, involves dissonance, aimless minor notes, and eerie bass or percussive effects.

I suppose whomever composed the music (I know Remal and Malkin wrote the theme piece, but unsure if they also composed for the whole series) had years to be influenced by modern composers and pieces such as these, where symmetry and all "established" rules surrounding harmony are abandoned. Horror movie music definitely takes a cue from Stravinsky and Bartok, IMO.

Apparently Harry Manfredini, when composing the score for Friday the 13th, recorded someone saying "Kill" and "Mom", and shortened the words to the initial sounds (I started to say syllables :rolleyes:). At least that's how the story goes; it smacks slightly of urban legend, but who knows.

Yes, Manfredini used the "Kill her mommy" dialogue and ran it through an early vocal harmonizer to create the sound.

I remember The Shining having some terribly frightening, albeit very artfully modern music in it, to include Prendrecki's De Natura Sonoris I and The Awakening of Jacob, Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta (III), and Ligeti's Lontano. Every one of those pieces, exactly like the music featured on UM, involves dissonance, aimless minor notes, and eerie bass or percussive effects.

I suppose whomever composed the music (I know Remal and Malkin wrote the theme piece, but unsure if they also composed for the whole series) had years to be influenced by modern composers and pieces such as these, where symmetry and all "established" rules surrounding harmony are abandoned. Horror movie music definitely takes a cue from Stravinsky and Bartok, IMO.

Very well put! I was thinking of going into this but didn't want to write a super long post. Now I don't need to:) BTW Shutter Island used some of that style of music. Also, Bernard Herrman was heavily influenced by Stravinsky, and his Psycho score is pretty much a template for a lot of horror movie scores.

And the very end, with that really scary tune and the close zoom-in on Kurt's face.



Just got major chills reading this and remembering that music

The two women attacked in Rhode Island...all through segment creepy music

Susan Laferte and Doreen Picard.

Add to that the complete mystery of whoever did it and her amnesia after.

"The two women attacked in Rhode Island...all through segment creepy music

Susan Laferte and Doreen Picard.

Add to that the complete mystery of whoever did it and her amnesia after."


agreed!

As far as the mystery, there was an update when it was re-broadcast (the video link is from the original broadcast of the segment in 1988) that Raymond "Beaver" Tempest was supposedly the man who attacked Doreen and Susan and went to or is still in prison, but I found a website that seems pretty legit in its evidence (or clues at least) that Tempest is actually innocent and a man named Donald Degasse is the real man who killed Doreen and put Susan in a coma:

http://www.caught.net/cases/beaver1.htm

Off the top of my mind, son of sam segment and matthew chase.

matthew chase.

Yeah, I always thought the music they played when the composite pictures of the suspect made from the ATM camera were shown was pretty unnerving.

Another segment with some eerie music that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet is the Roxann Jeeves and Kristopher Korper segment. The music played during the exchange between the suspect and the convenience store clerk is the same piece UM played during the "10 Missing Persons" segment, and it is sooo creepy. The music played at the end of the segment until it faded out was always kind of chilling to me, too.

Not sure how I can describe it... There is slight raised note of the Synthesizer in the background. While two of the same Piano notes are played. But the 2nd notes are played slightly higher. it's like "Duhhhn duhhhnn DUHNN DUHNN!!" This short piece of score is usually played when Stack is setting the scene and describing what happened to someone. Grrr! I know you guys know what I'm talking about!!

Anyway it never fails to creep me out thinking about those notes when I'm alone. or reading a scary book etc.

Also Semi-OT. Did anyone see the "One Missed Call" remake from 2008? It's an alright supernatural/slasher film. But what really stuck out to me was the errie musical score. Reminded me of classic "Unsolved Mysteries". lots of creepy Piano notes. It plays in the opening scenes, the credits, and when the heroine is investigating.

Not sure how I can describe it... There is slight raised note of the Synthesizer in the background. While two of the same Piano notes are played. But the 2nd notes are played slightly higher. it's like "Duhhhn duhhhnn DUHNN DUHNN!!" This short piece of score is usually played when Stack is setting the scene and describing what happened to someone. Grrr! I know you guys know what I'm talking about!!

Anyway it never fails to creep me out thinking about those notes when I'm alone. or reading a scary book etc.

Also Semi-OT. Did anyone see the "One Missed Call" remake from 2008? It's an alright supernatural/slasher film. But what really stuck out to me was the errie musical score. Reminded me of classic "Unsolved Mysteries". lots of creepy Piano notes. It plays in the opening scenes, the credits, and when the heroine is investigating.

Oh, we all know! We just call it the "duh duh!" update music. Always scares me and when I'm alone and think of it, chills form on the back of my neck. Whoever created it is a genius.

There was creepy chord of music played during the ATV murders that freaked me out a little. The episode is filled with disturbing music but this one spooked me a little more. It's heard while the two men are unloading the bodies out of the pick-up truck and dumping them in a back road location. I think it's around the 8:23 mark on the other site.

There was creepy chord of music played during the ATM murders that freaked me out a little. The episode is filled with disturbing music but this one spooked me a little more. It's heard while the two men are unloading the bodies out of the pick-up truck and dumping them in a back road location. I think it's around the 8:23 mark on the other site.
For a second I thought you mean the Chase segment but now I see that you mean ATV segment. Yes, that's definitely one of the scariest segments ever! And the music is chilling the whole time, particularly at the part you mentioned.

How have we NOT mentioned "Judy Hyams is alive, and she lives in Omaha" music yet?

The score that's used during a lot of the robbery segments is also pretty scary. It's the fast track with drums and synthesizers. When the loud DA-DA's start up in the beginning, it's really unnerving.

The music during the Charles Holden segment is creepy as hell, especially the beginning part which sounds like an evil train whistle. :lol:

But nothing beats the piano theme and the cello chord of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte case. That's perfect slasher movie music. It's downright frightening and unsettling and sticks with you forever.

How have we NOT mentioned "Judy Hyams is alive, and she lives in Omaha" music yet?

That is a VERY creepy scene and the music descends on you so fast you don't expect it the first time you see the segment. I think what's also scary is the fact that the caller is sitting in a dark room and the way she slowly rests the handset back in the cradle.

I rewatched the Ives/Henry segment last night and had totally forgotten how scary the music was when the "man in military fatigues" fires at that police officer. Unfortunately, I was also in the dark. :eek:

:( Maybe this is a weird idea for a thread---but after watching some of the old segments, do any of you all get some of the music stuck in your heads...particularly at inconvenient times like when it's dark out? It happens to me quite a bit. I've been watching the compilation DVD's lately.

What, in your opinion, are the worst recurring tunes you've heard on classic UM? The shrieking "Update" theme is a given.

The loud piano theme played in the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment and while they show the composite of the Blind River Rest Stop killer really scares me.

The music they play when they show Debra Poe's photo with her friend Lori in the Florida convenience store murders segment that sounds like ghostly wooo's (that's the best way I can describe it) is also pretty bad.

I'm actually also not a big fan of the "regular" Update theme either---especially when they keep playing it and you realize there's a bunch of eerie sounds thrown in with those electronic "telecast" sounds.

The Queen Mary and Resurrection Mary songs scare ne :-o

1) The piano intro regarding the Doreen Picard case.

2) I remember having been frightened by the guitar intro the very first time I saw the Audrey Moate case. And of course like a fool I continued to watch the case in the friggin' DARK. :eek:

1) The piano intro regarding the Doreen Picard case.

2) I remember having been frightened by the guitar intro the very first time I saw the Audrey Moate case. And of course like a fool I continued to watch the case in the friggin' DARK. :eek:


Thats the same song that came out on the Queen Mary segment!!!! I want it as my ringtone so I can use it for Halloween lol

The music playing while Dexter Stefonek's car is burning is quite eerie.

The Susan Harrison cut to UPDATE has to be up there.

The music that is playing while they show that computer image of the blind river suspect.

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her

I know I've written in here before, but top 5 for me remain:
1) "Duh, Duh!" update music as heard in the Baskins case and a couple of special alerts. Without fail, if I think of it I fear someone is coming to get me.
2) Ohio Prostitute Killer music. When they talk about the woman found behind a traffic barrier is when I get really freaked out and also when they talk about how the spree started and show a map.
3) Deborah Poe convenience store. When they find her work smock it sounds like someone is wailing.
4) I know they play it in the episode with one of the sea creatures when it shows a map, but I can't think of how to describe the music. It's very eerie!
5) Beginning of Mothman/Rick's Rampage music. If I thought about that when walking around the city or going anywhere at night, I would want to run for shelter!

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her

That Piano music UM used in many of the early Episodes scared the hell out of me. It's featured in the Ohio Prostitute Serial Killer Story, The New Orleans Serial Killer Episode - When they show the B & W photo of the first victim. It's also used during the Nyleen Kay Marshal segment/re-enactment when that creep in the Forest took her away.

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

It was also used in the John Purvis segment. You can thank me later. ;) :lol:

I'd also like to add that the music in the ATV murders episode where the CSI's are photographing the scene and the piano chord hits a sour note is scary. Makes my heart feel like it's going to stop every time I hear it. The music at the beginning of the William Bradford Bishop segment is creepy too.

There is also a twisted instrumental of "Silent Night" that plays in the Frank Olsen segment and in some of the ghost stories I believe.

Hmmm...creepy music...

* There was some VERY creepy music in the original Jeremy Bright segment.
I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's kind of like a slow "ding...dong...ding...dong...ding..." with really high notes. The music is played during a re-enactment of Bright's killers carrying his lifeless body through the woods at dusk while one of them is holding a lantern. That scene used to freak me out as a kid. I can't think of many other times when they used this particular piece except one - in the 1994 Bigfoot segment during the re-enactment of the Todd Neiss sighting. Kind of an odd place for that piece to pop up.

This music was also featured in the Cheryl Holland segment [she was the niece of Joe and Mattie Harvey, whom she murdered].

This music is very scary in my opinion. Imagine how I felt watching the Jeremy Bright segment alone in my basement when it originally aired in November of 1988 as a six-year-old. :eek:

I don't know how many people here are wrestling fans, but if you are, you may remember those hilariously cheesy vignettes from 20 years later where Jake "The Snake" Roberts tries to help the Ultimate Warrior overcome his fear of caskets by doing stuff like burying him alive.

Well, during the segment where Jake locks the Warrior in a room full of snakes, they actually recycle that creepy piece of music from the Tallman's Ghost segment where Allen Tallman is approaching his house and sees his garage on fire. Never knew Vince McMahon was an UM fan.

This one's not scary, but it's some of the saddest music I've heard on UM...it's at the beginning of the Eric and Pam Ellender segment on YT. Check it out, let me know what you think.

I don't know how many people here are wrestling fans, but if you are, you may remember those hilariously cheesy vignettes from 20 years later where Jake "The Snake" Roberts tries to help the Ultimate Warrior overcome his fear of caskets by doing stuff like burying him alive.

Well, during the segment where Jake locks the Warrior in a room full of snakes, they actually recycle that creepy piece of music from the Tallman's Ghost segment where Allen Tallman is approaching his house and sees his garage on fire. Never knew Vince McMahon was an UM fan.

I never knew that. I'd have to check that out.

I keep finding more scary music. The music where Kurt Sova's dad goes into the basement of the house where the party was held was eerie. The same music can be heard in the Blind River killer episode when they show police footage of Brian Major's car in the rest stop.

Even thought the episode is pretty silly now, the eerie background sounds in the very begining of the ghost fighters la posada hotel episode gives me the chills!
Actually come to think of it all of the music in this episode scares me!

In the Joe Sheppard segment when he and the detectives were in the woods about to exhume Kathy Clowers. I do not think I have heard that piece anywhere else.

I remember that one primarily from the Larry George segment. It plays over the reenactment of George walking away from the apartment building after shooting and injuring his wife Geraldine, and killing Janice Morris and Ralph Swain. That piece was extremely memorable. I know it's in at least one other segment other than the ones mentioned here, but I can't put my finger on which one it is. Jim and Lisa Albert maybe? Can't really remember.

I can't really describe it, but I woke up one morning this week with a particular piece of music from the Ohio Prostitute murders in my head. It's one where the music is ominous and then there's a sound effect that I can't describe ugh! It occurs at one part when they're showing a map of the killings but really the entire case is creepy and so is all the music!

It to bad, there isn't a way for someone that could find the tunes and some how make it into a soundtrack we can all listen to online.

I can't really describe it, but I woke up one morning this week with a particular piece of music from the Ohio Prostitute murders in my head. It's one where the music is ominous and then there's a sound effect that I can't describe ugh! It occurs at one part when they're showing a map of the killings but really the entire case is creepy and so is all the music!

I'm just glad someone else gets the music stuck in their head out of nowhere! I had the music from the Joseph Prushanowski segment run in my head for about a week once!

Ohio prostitue killings. When they are showing the pics of the victoms, I have to say the music being played is quite chilling IMO.

This is also played near the end of the "Mother Daughter Tragedy" segment concerning The Rogers family murders by Oba Chandler. To me it's the creepiest.

The music during the Talmans Ghost .. and Rachel Runyan ... the Rachel Runyan case is hard to decribe why that is so bad .... its just very creepy , its got this ... sound effect in it that adds to the horror of it , I wish someone would say they understand what I am talking about .

The Rachel Runyan case too. Just something about that music near the end where they're showing her picture. Haven't seen the Talman segment enough to recall it. Is that like the Runyan music?

Also the Dave Bocks segment where they're showing his person effects, the glasses and the wire with three odd connecting circles. It's not spooky so much as disturbing. It could just be that The Rogers family, the Runyan and the Bocks' segments bothered me the most (that I can think of right now). I wonder if that has an effect on what music creeps us out.

When they show the only identified victims in the Eliot Ness segment. Horrifying beat that makes it seem the killer, even though more than likely long dead, is going to come out of nowhere. The music is just that ominous!

This may have already been mentioned, but my vote goes to the music that starts the Doreen Picard segments, among others. Whenever you hear that particular music starting a segment,you know something bad is about to go down.

The music at the end of the David Stone segment, where they show a last shot of him wandering off. My goodness :OOOO

This may have already been mentioned, but my vote goes to the music that starts the Doreen Picard segments, among others. Whenever you hear that particular music starting a segment,you know something bad is about to go down.

YES. Dear lord. I think that one has the creepiest, most ominous start to a UM segment *ever*. :eek:

The music all throughout the Blind River segment, but especially when it zooms in on the computer image of the suspect. :eek:

That little chime in the Pam Page segment when it was showing that Rob really signed Pam's name on the letter.. sends chills down my spine everytime...

The music when they show the Blind River killer sketch.

The drumming type music shown in the Dale Kerstetter segment.

The update music is pretty freaky, but i somewhat like it too.

When the police enter the store after Deborah Poe disappears. I don't recall ever hearing that theme in another segment

When the police enter the store after Deborah Poe disappears. I don't recall ever hearing that theme in another segment
Yeah the music in that one is weird...sort of a twisted michael bolton track.

I don't know if someone mentioned it or if I did, but the music on the sweedish hitchikers segment is pretty creepy throughout. I think they may have had the same music on a fraud segment with a fake insurance claim for a vessel in the gulf of mexico. I can't remember the name of that ship(or segment off the top of my head).

- The music on the Baskin children update, which can also be heard in the Grocery Robbers segment
- The music in the 1-70 killer episode, and also can be heard in the super glue robber segment
- The music that plays in the ATV murders episode where they show 2 men unloading the bodies. The same music can be heard in the Anita Green segment, which also has scary music at the end when they show her killer's composite.
- The music at the end of the John & Linda Sohus case
- The music in the New Orleans serial killer case
- The music in the Ohio prostitute murders case
- The music in the New Hampshire/Connecticut River killer case
- That eerie "aaaaaAAAAAAAAhhhhh" harmonizing that is in some of the ghost cases
- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode
- The music in the Angela Hammond episode, especially when Rob is talking about how he didn't save her
I know exactly what you mean about the atv murders music. I actually had that stuck in my mid for a long time but couldn't figure out what segments it was featured until I watched that one recently.

And yes pretty much the whole segment of the ohio prostitute murders has creepy music. Starting with the very beginning and the part where they show the map. Swedish hitchhiker has some creepy music too.

I don't know if someone mentioned it or if I did, but the music on the sweedish hitchikers segment is pretty creepy throughout. I think they may have had the same music on a fraud segment with a fake insurance claim for a vessel in the gulf of mexico. I can't remember the name of that ship(or segment off the top of my head).

I've gotten pretty used to some of this music over the years simply because I've heard it hundreds of times now. But THIS one is still one I can't tough out. It's in the Justin Burgwinkel segment as well, IIRC.

The music in the Lisa Kimmel segment is creepy.. (not to mention the composite of the man who was seen with her at the gas station)

The music in the Lisa Kimmel segment is creepy.. (not to mention the composite of the man who was seen with her at the gas station)

The beginning of that segment is scary, I think. I thought that composite was creepy too, but I always enjoyed the gas station eyewitness's description: "He had very fine features--'aquiline', I think is what the poets called it.."

Ever since I was a little kid, I thought the show's theme song was kind of creepy. :eek: :lol:

Someone early on this thread made mention of how the music would always pop into their head when they had to do something outside at night. I had the same exact experience every week. Unsolved Mysteries night was also garbage night and I would always put off taking it out until the evening after UM. I would race down the driveway so fast in sheer terror, and then back up again just as quickly with the music fresh in my mind. This was before plastic garbage cans had wheels, so I'd inevitably wear holes into them after a couple months. And god forbid I spill the garbage can halfway and have to pick everything up in the dark. Why I remember this fondly is beyond me.

This track plays in the Dorothea Allen and Leonard Derickson segments. It has piano music and then this HORRIBLY CHILLING sound. I can't really describe it well, but basically the high notes of the piano go "do do do do do do" and then you hear what sounds kind of like a moan that lasts for several seconds. Chills go up and down my spine. I could be looking at pictures of sunshine and unicorns and if that music came on I would be terrified.

This track plays in the Dorothea Allen and Leonard Derickson segments. It has piano music and then this HORRIBLY CHILLING sound. I can't really describe it well, but basically the high notes of the piano go "do do do do do do" and then you hear what sounds kind of like a moan that lasts for several seconds. Chills go up and down my spine. I could be looking at pictures of sunshine and unicorns and if that music came on I would be terrified.

Yep. It's the one at the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment.

Dorothea Allen also had some very creepy music at the end.

Yep. It's the one at the beginning of the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment.

Dorothea Allen also had some very creepy music at the end.
How stupid of me! I can't believe I didn't realize it was the same music. I don't remember the moan being included in that segment for some reason, though. I'd have to watch it again.

How stupid of me! I can't believe I didn't realize it was the same music. I don't remember the moan being included in that segment for some reason, though. I'd have to watch it again.

No worries! That moan is definitely there, though--check out the part where the attacker leaves the pipe in a hall closet. That little clip is seared into my mind precisely because of that music. "It was not found for four days." ((shivers))

I hate it when there's scary music in one segment, and you forget it's in another. Then you go to watching that second segment sometime at night, or in the dark, and BOOM, there's that creepy music and you weren't expecting it. :lol:

The music they play in the Gary Simmons segment when that guy finds his body...when they pan over the bones. :eek:

No worries! That moan is definitely there, though--check out the part where the attacker leaves the pipe in a hall closet. That little clip is seared into my mind precisely because of that music. "It was not found for four days." ((shivers))

I hate it when there's scary music in one segment, and you forget it's in another. Then you go to watching that second segment sometime at night, or in the dark, and BOOM, there's that creepy music and you weren't expecting it. :lol:
That's exactly what happened. I was watching the Dorothea Allan segment and it showed pictures of her and then that moan echoed and I nearly jumped out of my chair because I'd forgotten it was in there! It's a lost heirs segment, so I wasn't counting on it being creepy. :lol:

I rewatched the Picard/Laferte case and yep, there's the moan. The first time it plays in the ep (at least the moan I'm thinking of) is when the guy finds the bodies. There's talking over it but you can still hear it :eek: And yes, the part with the pipe gets me, too. That segment will always give me the creeps. I used to think of it going down in the basement of my apartment building in university to do laundry- even though it was a brightly lit room and you needed a keycard to get inside.

I wish we could find a way to be able to download the music from UM. Love all of them.

By far, most creepiest:


GOOD NIGHT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

HAHA. AHHHHHHHHHHH HAHHAHAHAHA.

That music in the background mixed with that will give you massive goosebumps.

Never really paid it attention before, but the music that plays during the reenactment where Jeffrey Macdonald kills his wife is really spooky and haunting, particularly because she's trying to protect her youngest child.

The music that plays during the Wacker segment when Dorothy is attacked for the second time when standing in the backyard. I know it was used in other segments. Anyone know what piece of music i'm talking about?

Not sure if I'd define it as scary, but the most eerie and mysterious, yet soothing piece of music used in the show is in the beginning of the Don Kemp segment. I'm pretty sure that's the only time they ever used it for the series.

Not sure if I'd define it as scary, but the most eerie and mysterious, yet soothing piece of music used in the show is in the beginning of the Don Kemp segment. I'm pretty sure that's the only time they ever used it for the series.

It's been used a handful of times. Not very often though. I agree with you: it's a little unsettling, but soothing. I always think of the Ayleen Conway segment, because that's the music that plays when they show that eerie montage of her empty home and all the things found in it: the full bathtub, the phone off the hook, etc.

It's been used a handful of times. Not very often though. I agree with you: it's a little unsettling, but soothing. I always think of the Ayleen Conway segment, because that's the music that plays when they show that eerie montage of her empty home and all the things found in it: the full bathtub, the phone off the hook, etc.

Completely spaced out on that one. You're right.

Edit: Just came across this same music on the Elvis Presley segment on one of the DVDs released.

Can't believe I haven't mentioned this one. The music at the beginning of the Lil' Miss segment, couple with the shots of the bridge as the attacker kills her and you see the reflection of him carrying her in a puddle. Terrifying!

Whoever mentioned the Tallman's Ghost music earlier in this thread is right on the money. Particularly the heartbeat-themed music they play when Allen Tallman is entering his house late at night while he hears the mysterious voice and then sees his garage on fire.

+1

It has a warped quality to it though, which adds to its creepiness.

The Tallman's ghost segment is a good reminder of how creepy UM could be. Which is remarkable because there's a possibility that they just made the whole thing up. But what's really remarkable is that the whole segment manages to be extremely creepy without ever showing recreations of any of the spirits. That adds a Hitchcock quality to it. We never see the glowing witch, the chilling figure that materializes out of the fog when Mr. Tallman is lying on the floor of his daughter's room (he did so to help them sleep), or the chilling figure when the relative does the same thing. (tremendous acting in the last 2 scenes I mentioned, btw). It just leaves it to your imagination.

There was this music in the Crystal Spencer segment (I think they played it when they showed her body being taken out of her apartment) and the same music appeared in the Dub Wackerhagen segment, it plays over his picture at one point after the officer describes how Dub wouldn't have committed violence if he had been able to cool down. It's this creepy synthesizer music that builds up and then ends on this creepy sour note.

Someone early on this thread made mention of how the music would always pop into their head when they had to do something outside at night. I had the same exact experience every week. Unsolved Mysteries night was also garbage night and I would always put off taking it out until the evening after UM. I would race down the driveway so fast in sheer terror, and then back up again just as quickly with the music fresh in my mind. This was before plastic garbage cans had wheels, so I'd inevitably wear holes into them after a couple months. And god forbid I spill the garbage can halfway and have to pick everything up in the dark. Why I remember this fondly is beyond me.
Haha I'm pretty sure I had the same feeling just walking through my hallway at night when the lights were off. Every now and again it comes back.

not scary, but I always liked the music at the beginning of the Heart Attacker Louis Carlucci segment. Kind of sounds like the opening to the Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls". It's an awesome piece I can't immediately recall being used in any other segment.

Anytime photos of victims and composite sketches of suspects were posted and the UM music played, then Robert Stack would say to viewers if they had any information about the case to call the hotline or law enforcement...that was creepy.

I can't remember the segment, but it started with an upbeat shot of a man and woman on a boat, describing him as "a man living the good life and everything seemed to be going well." - when it cuts to a cop siren with Stack saying "he was wrong!" - the music que THERE is creepy.

I can't remember the segment, but it started with an upbeat shot of a man and woman on a boat, describing him as "a man living the good life and everything seemed to be going well." - when it cuts to a cop siren with Stack saying "he was wrong!" - the music que THERE is creepy.
Charlie Sigmin case. I agree, that's a really scary transition!

- The music played in the Richard Church case where he walks into the Ritter's home and stabs the parents. The same music plays at the beginning of the Mothman episode

We heard a shortened version of this from time to time in the classic early years like the Audrey Moate and orange sock murder segments. But I think the Rick Church segment was the only time we heard the full music cue where the "thump-thump" gets faster and louder and extra creepy.

Whoever wrote the scary music cues for UM was a genius. That music still creeps me out to this day.

I know it was mentioned a few pages back, but definitely the music when Jon Yount is offering a ride to the student he would later kill. It seems like pretty pleasant music and then fades into a nightmarish tune. It's even scarier considering that in real life, his student was actually really afraid of him and even trying to transfer out of his class; she probably did not behave like she did in the reenactment at all, where they seem like good buddies. I really wonder if she even got in his car willingly in the first place.

Just thought of another good one that I don't think has been mentioned - the Mickey Thompson segment. Watch the part where the two hitmen are shown escaping on bicycles. Very creepy tune playing there. Kind of a "swirling" sound that reminds me of the piece used at the start of the Nyleen Kaye Marshall segment.

I can't remember if I've mentioned this or not yet, but in the unedited version, toward the end of this segment, the reenactment of the shooting is run in slow motion over an extremely creepy, slower-tempo version of the final bars of the UM opening theme. It was clearly played on some synthesizer using some kind of weird industrial-type tones, which were bad enough in and of themselves.

Anyway, when the last note of the music is held, unlike in the original version of the theme, the last note goes up a half step about two beats into the hold to a yucky, dissonant, sharp that sounds amazingly scary.

That loud piano screech sound on some of the ghost segments.

The I-70 killer segment almost gives me a headache from all the music used in that one. No relief from the creepy.

The Gretchen Burford segment also has some intense music in it, especially when she's in her car.

The I-70 killer segment almost gives me a headache from all the music used in that one. No relief from the creepy.

YES. It's awful.

The Gretchen Burford segment also has some intense music in it, especially when she's in her car.

That music is always pretty bad. I clearly remember a police photograph of the bloody knife being shown and that chilling, screechy musical effect being played over it.

The music in the New Hampshire Serial Killer/Connecticut River Killer segment just before he attacks Jane is NERVE-RACKINGLY CREEPY.

On the other hand, the music in the Georgia Rudolph segment is absolutely gorgeous.

I haven't seen the show in ages so I can't remember every bit of music but of course the scary ones for me are the main theme and the commercial break bit when Robert Stack would tell the viewer whats to come next.

The Stack version of the D.B. Cooper segment has some pretty memorably unnerving music at the end of it. It's like a slowed-down version of the last few bars of the opening theme, but the notes kind of whine in this super creepy, ghostly way.

The music in the beginning of the Dorothy Donovan segment lets you know something bad is going to happen. It is the same thing they used in some of the ghost segments I believe.

It seems like the i70 and New Hampshire serial killer are getting mentioned a lot.

I always found the original Update music to be slightly unnerving. :eek:

How about the music played right before the re-enacted murder in the rural Georgia church case? There's a terrible sense of foreboding as the camera zooms in on the church and the music accompanying it gives me chills every time i see it. That was one of the most disturbing cases; of all places one would think they'd be safe, it is at a house of worship.

I just received a set of 16 DVDs, filled with hours of Unsolved Mysteries cases...and going through this thread and watching the referenced cases is kind of neat. I agree with all of you; Unsolved Mysteries was a masterpiece: well-produced, creepy, eerie music, Robert Stack and his gravelly voice...it was just a great program that would scare the crap out of me back in the day, but was not to be missed. Wednesdays at 8 pm was appointment TV back in the late '80s and early '90s.

I feel sort of bad for people that didn't get to experience this great show in its prime.

I think I know what you're talking about in the Rachel Runyan segment---it's very unnerving. I think the same music was used in the Kevin Ives/Don Henry segment when they're out walking in the woods.

Posted the above almost 6 years ago. Watched a segment tonight with this piece of music in it. Still friggin' scary enough that I kind of didn't want to move off the couch for a few minutes.

Posted the above almost 6 years ago. Watched a segment tonight with this piece of music in it. Still friggin' scary enough that I kind of didn't want to move off the couch for a few minutes.
Hahaha. The music at the end of Elvis' last night when he's asking Stanley to pray with him. I noticed it's the same as the music at the end of the carol segment. It might be in dan tondevold also. I also like how UM tailors the music to their story. In tony Alamo they play church music and in Sara Jo they play the Hawaiian steel guitar(originated there) and make it sound dark.

The theme used for Ressurection Mary as well as for the Home Improvement Scam (Dan Marino). It’s used when he approaches that man’s house about his roof. It has a jazzy piano kinda feel but still creepy lol

The theme used for Ressurection Mary as well as for the Home Improvement Scam (Dan Marino). It’s used when he approaches that man’s house about his roof. It has a jazzy piano kinda feel but still creepy lol

:lol: It's in the Todd Mueller segment as well.



There's a really creepy little piece that's difficult to describe. You can hear it during the description of Rohrey Wychgel's assailant's vehicle at the end of the segment, as well as the description of Robert Weeks' diary entries ("Cynthia and Art--dead for sure"). It's like low, barely discernible synthesizer and then a sudden little creepy bar of piano notes.

I was just whistling the one "Update" high pitched shrill after watching it earlier today, and it made the hair on my arms stand up because it is dark and I'm home alone. I love this show! So freaky. Forensic Files is on now and, while a direct descendant of UM, it just doesn't come close in terms of creepiness!

I never noticed this before but I was watching the ghost dvd today and the queen Mary segment has some eerie music. It has the blind river piano riff plus more twisted synthesizer music. The segment itself doesn't bother me but I don't know that I would be brave enough to go into the bow of the ship listening to that music In the pitch black.

Long time reader, first time poster.

A lot of the music used on earlier episodes comes from stock music. In particular, there's one music cue that appears in Unsolved Mysteries, Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside, and In Search of. I can't post a link because I'm too new here, but if you google "In Search Of" and "Castle of Secrets", you'll be able to hear some of the cues.

Lots of it comes from the Capitol Music Library and Hi-Q releases.


It's also probably one of the reasons you'll never see older Unsolved Mysteries episodes on DVD. For some reason, the rights with that music catalogue are a nightmare, which is why a lot of the shows that had the music cues used had to have the music replaced on DVD releases (The Fugitive, Tales From The Darkside, etc). I have In Search Of on DVD (official release), and that actually has all the original music. Who knows what the deal is.

But for those of you that love the creepy music, it's all online one place or another if you look hard enough.

Long time reader, first time poster.

A lot of the music used on earlier episodes comes from stock music. In particular, there's one music cue that appears in Unsolved Mysteries, Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside, and In Search of. I can't post a link because I'm too new here, but if you google "In Search Of" and "Castle of Secrets", you'll be able to hear some of the cues.

Lots of it comes from the Capitol Music Library and Hi-Q releases.


It's also probably one of the reasons you'll never see older Unsolved Mysteries episodes on DVD. For some reason, the rights with that music catalogue are a nightmare, which is why a lot of the shows that had the music cues used had to have the music replaced on DVD releases (The Fugitive, Tales From The Darkside, etc). I have In Search Of on DVD (official release), and that actually has all the original music. Who knows what the deal is.

But for those of you that love the creepy music, it's all online one place or another if you look hard enough.hmmm I will double check what I was watching lol and see if the music is the same. I have the queen Mary segment on vhs too but don't remember when I recorded it.

scariest music hands down is that "sour" piano music in the Doreen Picard/Susan Laferte segment.

Not really scary, but I've always been fond of that mellow, jazzy little number in the Richard Minns segment, right when the doofus comes home to a dark, bare apartment. Wonderful "gotcha" moment, combined with the moonlight and music makes for a nice scene.

The scriest, or maybe creepiest music from an Unsolved Mysteries segment that I saw was during the Signal Mountain murders. The music that is played as you see the ATV's driving as the sun goes down gave me the chills!

The scriest, or maybe creepiest music from an Unsolved Mysteries segment that I saw was during the Signal Mountain murders. The music that is played as you see the ATV's driving as the sun goes down gave me the chills!
Actually I've mentioned it before but the music
They play toward the end when they show casteel's crew loading the bed of a pickup truck is pretty darn frightening

I currently have the Charles Morgan segment on as I'm working on a project, and for some reason, it is scaring the absolute crap out of me right now. The music playing as Stack recites the passage from Ecclesiastes--straight-up shivers.

I currently have the Charles Morgan segment on as I'm working on a project, and for some reason, it is scaring the absolute crap out of me right now. The music playing as Stack recites the passage from Ecclesiastes--straight-up shivers.
It goes to show how good the music is that it can still scare the pants off of you after countless viewings. The composer should've not only won an Emmy, but he should have a closet full of them! :lol:

It's weird how that happens. I can watch segments over and
Over then one time randomly I can get scared from something or at least creeped out and turn it off.

The music in the New Hampshire Serial Killer/Connecticut River Killer segment just before he attacks Jane is NERVE-RACKINGLY CREEPY.

On the other hand, the music in the Georgia Rudolph segment is absolutely gorgeous.

One thing about the Georgia Rudolph segment that stuck with me from the first time I saw it (which would've been the first airing... I would've been about nine or ten) until now is the music when Sandra Jean Jenkins is taking her own life... she drops the locket and walks into the river... and they play what is essential a "countrified" version of the middle bars of the theme song, for lack of a better description... it's done with what sounds like a steel guitar. I've never forgotten that and would love to see the segment again (it's probably been five or six years). The music isn't "scary" per se... I've always found it very haunting, though.

The piano solo that frequently made it's way into the "missing heirs" segments (George Marsh, Howard Drummond, etc.) was always very well suited, I found (and a bit haunting as well).

That was one of the several aspects of UM that set it apart. The combination of production values (most of the time... "that man's got Jonathan" aside...), music, Robert Stack's narration and the fact that, in particular, the music always set the table for how horrific a segment might be. Always the right pitch, so to speak.

Certain segments captured the stories they told to virtual perfection. Just off the top of my head, the NH Serial Killer, "Debbie" and the Stanley Gryzic segments are ones that were deserving of awards. As journalistically good as anything else I've ever seen.

Actually I've mentioned it before but the music
They play toward the end when they show casteel's crew loading the bed of a pickup truck is pretty darn frightening

Yes, I agree. Gave me the chills.

I currently have the Charles Morgan segment on as I'm working on a project, and for some reason, it is scaring the absolute crap out of me right now. The music playing as Stack recites the passage from Ecclesiastes--straight-up shivers.
I don't remember that music. Is that segment on the bizarre murders dvd? If not Blast!

I don't remember that music. Is that segment on the bizarre murders dvd? If not Blast!
I believe it's on there as the "Mistake Hit" segment, but because it's a follow up to the original segment with the cover of Doug Johnston's murder/Don Devereux as the potential target, it doesn't contain all the footage from the Charles Morgan segment. I'm not certain if that part and music is on there.

I believe it's on there as the "Mistake Hit" segment, but because it's a follow up to the original segment with the cover of Doug Johnston's murder/Don Devereux as the potential target, it doesn't contain all the footage from the Charles Morgan segment. I'm not certain if that part and music is on there.
Oh that's right. It's been a while since I've seen the Morgan case that 2 dollar bill...

Oh that's right. It's been a while since I've seen the Morgan case that 2 dollar bill...

Watched it again last night. Still scary and that $2 bill freaks me out.

Watched it again last night. Still scary and that $2 bill freaks me out.
That's it...I'm watching mistake hit tonight.

That's it...I'm watching mistake hit tonight.

Yesssss! :)

Yesssss! :)
Well I'm a little disappointed just watched it and it does not feature the $2 bill scene with the music.

Well I'm a little disappointed just watched it and it does not feature the $2 bill scene with the music.
Darn, I thought that was the case. You need to see the full Charles Morgan segment, which unfortunately is not on the DVDs.

Well I'm a little disappointed just watched it and it does not feature the $2 bill scene with the music.

No. That's strictly the Charles Morgan statement, which is a classic on it's own.

Mistaken Hit ties together Charles Morgan, Doug Johnston, Dan Casolaro and Don Devereaux in this fascinating, complex, creepy, yet still somewhat confusing ball of madness and conspiracy that has bizarre facts that are too big to dismiss as coincidence. It's also a mega classic.

Creepiest music of Mistaken Hit is the "Ba-da!" tune that plays as we see through the killers eyes as he walking up to Johnston's car. :eek:

Also memorable was the tune playing while the camera slowly zoomed in on the magazine article about Dan Casolaro's death. It's a combination of scary, sad and eery all wrapped into one tune.

No. That's strictly the Charles Morgan statement, which is a classic on it's own.

Mistaken Hit ties together Charles Morgan, Doug Johnston, Dan Casolaro and Don Devereaux in this fascinating, complex, creepy, yet still somewhat confusing ball of madness and conspiracy that has bizarre facts that are too big to dismiss as coincidence. It's also a mega classic.

Creepiest music of Mistaken Hit is the "Ba-da!" tune that plays as we see through the killers eyes as he walking up to Johnston's car. :eek:

Also memorable was the tune playing while the camera slowly zoomed in on the magazine article about Dan Casolaro's death. It's a combination of scary, sad and eery all wrapped into one tune.yeah I'll always remember that music when they show the pov of the Johnston killer. Talk about creepy. I don't know that I can recall it in another segment. I've seen the Morgan segment many times just haven't seen it in a long time. Today was the first time I watched mistake hit in A long time. I cannot believe that professionals deemed that as a potential suicide with no weapon on the scene :confused:

The music throughout the ATV murders segment was scary!

I know this has been mentioned before, but for me, it has to be the music that plays during the I-70 Killer segment when RS is discussing the map of the victims and where they were killed. That music sounds just plain evil.

I know this has been mentioned before, but for me, it has to be the music that plays during the I-70 Killer segment when RS is discussing the map of the victims and where they were killed. That music sounds just plain evil.

Yes! it suited the crime.

Not really scary, but I love the music at the beginning of the Pat Mealbach segment. I find it soothing actually. Sounds very much like Tangerine Dream, whose excellent "Canyon Dreams" was released right around that time.

Glad this ones back. The music in the Joan gay tornado scene is one I've never mentioned. The drums get stuck in my head.

I get a kick out of the belief in scary music on UM. Most of the people on here must have been kids when they watched (including my own children who I forced to watch who still love it) because I asc an adult found the show kind of hokey. When it first started a show called Ripley's Believe It or Not starring Jack Palance was also on. I used to mix up Palance and Stack as they were very similar. Ripley's had the same flaky research that UM had (as in their Roswell funeral guy episode). They stated the German Red Baron perfectly landed his plane after death but in reality he was killed by a single machine gun bullet fired from a distance by an Australian gunner but the shot did not immediately kill him. When the first Australian troops arrived at the landing site the baron was still alive and said "kaput" or I am finished to them before he died. So the landing was his last act of professionalism. For decades who killed the red baron was a big deal and was featured on many tv shows.

I get a kick out of the belief in scary music on UM. Most of the people on here must have been kids when they watched (including my own children who I forced to watch who still love it) because I asc an adult found the show kind of hokey. When it first started a show called Ripley's Believe It or Not starring Jack Palance was also on. I used to mix up Palance and Stack as they were very similar. Ripley's had the same flaky research that UM had (as in their Roswell funeral guy episode). They stated the German Red Baron perfectly landed his plane after death but in reality he was killed by a single machine gun bullet fired from a distance by an Australian gunner but the shot did not immediately kill him. When the first Australian troops arrived at the landing site the baron was still alive and said "kaput" or I am finished to them before he died. So the landing was his last act of professionalism. For decades who killed the red baron was a big deal and was featured on many tv shows.

I've heard from various sources that UM filmed re-enactments in "precise detail". Like other human beings, I'm sure they made mistakes, but I know they were devoted to providing facts on the case. I also don't find the show "hokey", and I don't believe anyone else on here does either. The important thing was that they paved the way for tracking down criminals using television as a medium.

Considering there are 13 pages of the thread "Scariest music", you appear to be in the extreme minority when you call the show "hokey." I think you should also take into account that since you are a man, you won't find the show as scary as women do. This was broadcast for years on Lifetime, aka "Television For Women."

I've heard from various sources that UM filmed re-enactments in "precise detail". Like other human beings, I'm sure they made mistakes, but I know they were devoted to providing facts on the case. I also don't find the show "hokey", and I don't believe anyone else on here does either. The important thing was that they paved the way for tracking down criminals using television as a medium.

Considering there are 13 pages of the thread "Scariest music", you appear to be in the extreme minority when you call the show "hokey." I think you should also take into account that since you are a man, you won't find the show as scary as women do. This was broadcast for years on Lifetime, aka "Television For Women."
Excellent post. Yea UM was a prime time show originally, but they did a great job at entertaining and covering so many different subjects.

Yeah I was a kid when I started watching and the music scared the crap out of me. My kids won't even watch UM. I don't think it is really a kids program but I know a lot us watched as kids.

I don't think I need to go into the importance of music in a program like this. As you said there are 13 pages already. I will agree with you though that the show did a lot of good. It was more than just a "believe it or not" Program. It covered a great deal of good to include reuniting loved ones and capturing hundreds of criminals. To this day people come on here discussing cases and you see how important it still is for many people especially the victims having a voice for justice.

I don't know how many people here are wrestling fans, but if you are, you may remember those hilariously cheesy vignettes from 20 years later where Jake "The Snake" Roberts tries to help the Ultimate Warrior overcome his fear of caskets by doing stuff like burying him alive.

Well, during the segment where Jake locks the Warrior in a room full of snakes, they actually recycle that creepy piece of music from the Tallman's Ghost segment where Allen Tallman is approaching his house and sees his garage on fire. Never knew Vince McMahon was an UM fan.

I've been watching a whole lot of old school wrestling lately and pretty much died when I read about this. There's definitely a video on the forbidden site for anyone interested. :lol:

Anytime photos of victims and composite sketches of suspects were posted and the UM music played, then Robert Stack would say to viewers if they had any information about the case to call the hotline or law enforcement...that was creepy.


To a 12 year old at the time that combination was very creepy! :eek:

Old thread, but that music during Cindy Anderson's nightmare at the very beginning of the segment. It's replayed in the Texas UFO segment and is super eerie!

The music heard during the Missing Persons Roll Call from October 25, 1989. Also, the music heard during the KROQ On-Air Murder confession when the caller is talking on the phone.

The music heard during the Missing Persons Roll Call from October 25, 1989.
Yes! Made 100% scarier by the fact that the majority of the people were never found/what is known to have happened to some of them. Nightmare fuel.

Yes! Made 100% scarier by the fact that the majority of the people were never found/what is known to have happened to some of them. Nightmare fuel.
I think it was first used in the Unabomber segment from Special #3, but also heard in segments for the Crazy Glue Bandit and Roxann Jeeves.

I think it was first used in the Unabomber segment from Special #3, but also heard in segments for the Crazy Glue Bandit and Roxann Jeeves.

I think I do recall now it's used in the Roxann Jeeves segment when the clerk at the convenience store refuses to let the killer use the phone. So eerie!

I think I do recall now it's used in the Roxann Jeeves segment when the clerk at the convenience store refuses to let the killer use the phone. So eerie!

It's also in the Bonnie Craig segment when her mother is talking to her boss.

The one that scares me is that one they use at the end of the Anita Green segment when Stack describes the shooter. Same music piece is used in the Son of Sam segment and in the Roberto Solis/Heather Tallchief segment. A different remix of it was used at the end of the Baskin children segment.

It's also in the Bonnie Craig segment when her mother is talking to her boss.

The one that scares me is that one they use at the end of the Anita Green segment when Stack describes the shooter. Same music piece is used in the Son of Sam segment and in the Roberto Solis/Heather Tallchief segment. A different remix of it was used at the end of the Baskin children segment.
That's called Victims. It was included on volume 2 of the Unsolved Mysteries soundtrack.

The Unsolved Mysteries rendition of Silent Night comes to mind as being scary.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like we will get any further releases from Terror Vision. Ryan Graveface said that Volume 2 sold poorly and that he still has a warehouse full of them.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like we will get any further releases from Terror Vision. Ryan Graveface said that Volume 2 sold poorly and that he still has a warehouse full of them.

Unfortunate. I thought Vol 2 was better than 1.

The one UM soundtrack cue that I would kill to get a hold of is from the Connecticut River Valley Killer segment, when Jane pulls into the deserted parking lot for a “soft drink ;) It’s that two-note motif with those high strings—anyone know what I’m talking about??

I have both of the previous vinyl releases, but would kill for another one that featured this music (along with more of the murder/missing cues).

One tune in the early seasons they used with what sounded like piano and dueling chimes, for lack of a better term, always creeped me out. Unfortunately it was phased out pretty early on.

The one UM soundtrack cue that I would kill to get a hold of is from the Connecticut River Valley Killer segment, when Jane pulls into the deserted parking lot for a “soft drink ;) It’s that two-note motif with those high strings—anyone know what I’m talking about??

I have both of the previous vinyl releases, but would kill for another one that featured this music (along with more of the murder/missing cues).
I know exactly the music your talking about. Yea, that's one I would have liked to have as well.It was also used in the 'Attacker of Debbie' segment.

The one UM soundtrack cue that I would kill to get a hold of is from the Connecticut River Valley Killer segment, when Jane pulls into the deserted parking lot for a “soft drink ;) It’s that two-note motif with those high strings—anyone know what I’m talking about??

I have both of the previous vinyl releases, but would kill for another one that featured this music (along with more of the murder/missing cues).

That one plays prominently in the I-70 killer segment.

One tune in the early seasons they used with what sounded like piano and dueling chimes, for lack of a better term, always creeped me out. Unfortunately it was phased out pretty early on.

Is that the one used in the Queen Mary segment where the psychics are walking around different rooms on the ship?

That fast glue robbery segment really is a great sampler of a lot of a lot of very memorable pieces. Plus it has a version of that scary bit in the Tallman house segment when the garage is on fire--it has this low synthesizer tone that crescendos and I've never heard that particular version anywhere else but that segment.

Is that the one used in the Queen Mary segment where the psychics are walking around different rooms on the ship?

Yep! Just went back and watched to confirm.

The scariest music is the one used in the segment with the arsonist and with Blair Adams. It just has that creepy vibe to it

Nyleen Kay Marshall's segment when it shows the composites of the potential abductors, the man and woman. Very vague pictures of them, and to be honest I don't think there is much to it other than Nyleen's uncle saw two people that looked like this composite helping with the search one day. But just because it looks so vague and so mysterious, and the fact that Nyleen more than almost any other missing persons case seemed to vanish into thin air, it just makes it that much more creepy

Anytime photos of victims and composite sketches of suspects were posted and the UM music played, then Robert Stack would say to viewers if they had any information about the case to call the hotline or law enforcement...that was creepy.

Still scares the crap out of me. Especially the composites that are so indelible in the minds of people on this board. I-70 Killer, Blind River, Son of Sam, Wadada, Connecticut Valley, "Sam" from the Beverly McGowan case. The first time I ever saw that segment with the composites of "Sam" and Elaine Parent as "Alice" and they both fanned out side by side with the music playing and Stack's voice...ugh.

The orange sock murders (Bobbie Oberholtzer & Annette Kay Schnee) is such a classic segment that was criminally never transferred by FilmRise. It also has some of the scariest and chilling musical scores throughout the segment, only one of which (to my knowledge) was released to the soundtrack; the "Thump, thump!" score that played during Annette's death scene where she's trying to get away.

The entire first minute of the segment that shows shots of Breckenridge, the discoveries of the bodies and the pictures of the two women....a great mixture of synth & piano that still gives me goosebumps. I was disappointed that this score didn't make it to the UM soundtracks either. It was used in many segments.

The orange sock murders (Bobbie Oberholtzer & Annette Kay Schnee) is such a classic segment that was criminally never transferred by FilmRise. It also has some of the scariest and chilling musical scores throughout the segment, only one of which (to my knowledge) was released to the soundtrack; the "Thump, thump!" score that played during Annette's death scene where she's trying to get away.

The entire first minute of the segment that shows shots of Breckenridge, the discoveries of the bodies and the pictures of the two women....a great mixture of synth & piano that still gives me goosebumps. I was disappointed that this score didn't make it to the UM soundtracks either. It was used in many segments.
definitely agree with that.

What comes to mind for me is the cue from the Doreen Picard / Susan LaFerte segment in season 1.

Also that one that had the mary had a little lamb chord that was used in a ton of mid-run episodes.

The orange sock murders (Bobbie Oberholtzer & Annette Kay Schnee) is such a classic segment that was criminally never transferred by FilmRise. It also has some of the scariest and chilling musical scores throughout the segment, only one of which (to my knowledge) was released to the soundtrack; the "Thump, thump!" score that played during Annette's death scene where she's trying to get away.

The entire first minute of the segment that shows shots of Breckenridge, the discoveries of the bodies and the pictures of the two women....a great mixture of synth & piano that still gives me goosebumps. I was disappointed that this score didn't make it to the UM soundtracks either. It was used in many segments.

That "Thump, thump!" music always makes me think of the Rick Church segment. The family sleeping peacefully as he walks up to the house and makes his way in.

The orange sock murders (Bobbie Oberholtzer & Annette Kay Schnee) is such a classic segment that was criminally never transferred by FilmRise. It also has some of the scariest and chilling musical scores throughout the segment, only one of which (to my knowledge) was released to the soundtrack; the "Thump, thump!" score that played during Annette's death scene where she's trying to get away.

The entire first minute of the segment that shows shots of Breckenridge, the discoveries of the bodies and the pictures of the two women....a great mixture of synth & piano that still gives me goosebumps. I was disappointed that this score didn't make it to the UM soundtracks either. It was used in many segments.

I just rewatched the segment. The music was chilling, pun intended. The creep who killed those two women deserves to rot in hell.

That "Thump, thump!" music always makes me think of the Rick Church segment. The family sleeping peacefully as he walks up to the house and makes his way in.

That was the only time that music score was played in its entirety. Where it just gets louder and louder and really creepy. Still have to compliment the actress playing Colleen Ritter. She really showed genuine terror in her attack scene.