fbpx
Wikipedia

Al Dubin

January 25, 2024

Alexander Dubin (June 10, 1891 – February 11, 1945)[1] was an American lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren.

Al Dubin
Born
Alexander Dubin

(1891-06-10)June 10, 1891
Zürich, Switzerland
DiedFebruary 11, 1945(1945-02-11) (aged 53)
New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationLyricist
Years active1909–45
Spouse(s)Helen McClay (1921–1943); Edwina Coolidge (1943-1943)
ChildrenSimon Joseph (died 4 days after birth), Patricia Dubin McGuire
Parent(s)Simon and Minna Dubin
RelativesJoseph Dubin (brother)

Life edit

Al Dubin came from a Russian Jewish family that emigrated to the United States from Switzerland when he was two years old.[2] Born in Zürich, Switzerland, he grew up in Philadelphia.[1] Between ages of thirteen and sixteen, Dubin played hookey from school in order to travel into New York City to see Broadway musical shows. At age 14 he began writing special material for a vaudeville entertainer on 28th Street between 5th and Broadway in New York City, otherwise known as Tin Pan Alley.[3][4]

Dubin was accepted and enrolled at Perkiomen Seminary in September 1909,[2] but was expelled in 1911, after writing their Alma Mater. After leaving Perkiomen, Dubin got himself a job as a singing waiter at a Philadelphia restaurant. He continued to write lyrics and tried selling them to area publishing firms. During this time, Dubin met composer Joe Burke. Together they wrote the song "Oh, You, Mister Moon" (1911), which was published by M. Witmark & Sons.[5] The team also composed the Villanova University Anthem (Alma Mater).

In 1917, Dubin was drafted at Camp Upton in Yaphank, New York, and served as a private in the 305th Field Artillery of the 77th Division, known as New York's own. During his service, he wrote the song "They Didn’t Think We'd Do it, But We Did" with composer Fred Rath and published by the 77th Division. On his first weekend pass, Dubin went to see a show at the Majestic Theater in New York City. There he met Broadway singer Helen McClay.[6] They were married on March 19, 1921, at the Church of St. Elizabeth in New York City, after Dubin converted to the Catholic faith and McClay was granted an annulment of her first marriage.[7] The year they married, Dubin was accepted in ASCAP in 1921.

Known for his larger-than-life persona, Dubin struggled with alcohol and drugs,[2] and fell on hard times in the 1940s. Estranged from his wife, Dubin struggled to find work both in Hollywood and New York. The last show Dubin was contracted to work on was Laffing Room Only, with composer Burton Lane. Dubin provided only a title for this production, "Feudin' and a Fightin'", for which he received 25 percent credit.[8]

Dubin spent the remainder of the last few years of his life at the Empire Hotel,[8] alone and in ill-health. On February 8, 1945, he collapsed on the street after having taken a large quantity of doctor-prescribed barbiturates. He was admitted to the Roosevelt Hospital for barbiturate poisoning and pneumonia,[2] and later died on February 11, 1945.[1] Newspaper personality Walter Winchell made the announcement of his death on the radio.[9]

Dubin was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Career edit

Dubin sold his first set of lyrics for two songs "Prairie Rose" and "Sunray", in 1909 to the Whitmark Music Publishing Firm.[10]

In 1925, Dubin met the composer Harry Warren, who was to become his future collaborator at Warner Bros. studio in Hollywood. The first song they collaborated on was titled, "Too Many Kisses in the Summer Bring Too Many Tears in the Fall". But it was another song written with Joseph Meyer that same year that became Dubin's first big hit, "A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich and You".

Warner Bros. purchased the publishing firms of Witmark, Remick and Harms, and since Dubin was under contract to Harms, Warner Bros. inherited his services. In 1929, Dubin wrote "Tiptoe through the Tulips" with composer Joe Burke,[1] for the film Gold Diggers of Broadway.

In 1932, Dubin teamed officially with composer Harry Warren[11] on the movie musical 42nd Street, starring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Warner Baxter and Bebe Daniels, with dance routines sequenced by Busby Berkeley. The songwriting team of Warren and Dubin contributed four songs: "42nd Street", "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me", "Young and Healthy" and "Shuffle Off to Buffalo".[1]

Between 1932 and 1939,[11] Dubin and Warren wrote 60 hit songs for several Warner Bros. movie musicals, including Gold Diggers of 1933, Footlight Parade starring James Cagney, Roman Scandals starring Eddie Cantor, Dames, Go Into Your Dance and Wonder Bar, both starring Al Jolson. The song "Lullaby of Broadway", written by Warren and Dubin for the musical film, Gold Diggers of 1935,[1] won the 1936 Academy Award for Best Original Song.[12]

Legacy edit

In 1980, producer David Merrick and director Gower Champion adapted the 1933 film 42nd Street into a Broadway musical that won The Tony Award for Best Musical in 1981. The book for the show was written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble and featured a score that incorporated Warren and Dubin songs from various movie musicals including 42nd Street, Dames, Go Into Your Dance, Gold Diggers of 1933 and Gold Diggers of 1935.

Dubin was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.[2]

Work on Broadway edit

Notable films edit

Notable songs edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 739/740. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e Songwriters Hall of Fame. . Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  3. ^ Dubin, Patricia McGuire (1983). Lullaby of Broadway: Life and Times of Al Dubin – One of America's Great Lyricists. Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-0871-X.
  4. ^ a b Burton, Jack (December 23, 1950). "Al Dubin". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. ^ Dubin (1983) p. 60
  6. ^ Mangravite, Ronald (27 February 2003). "The Avenue He's Takin' You To". Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  7. ^ Dubin (1983) p. 83
  8. ^ a b Dubin (1983) p. 169
  9. ^ Dubin (1983) p. 39
  10. ^ Dubin (1983) p. 13
  11. ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica. "Al Dubin (American Lyricist)". Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  12. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 134. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  13. ^ "Like Song! Like Author!". The Indianapolis Times. 1923-12-20. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  14. ^ "Stage Door Canteen". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved 2016-02-02.

External links edit

January 25, 2024
dubin, alexander, dubin, june, 1891, february, 1945, american, lyricist, best, known, collaborations, with, composer, harry, warren, bornalexander, dubin, 1891, june, 1891zürich, switzerlanddiedfebruary, 1945, 1945, aged, york, city, york, occupationlyricistye. Alexander Dubin June 10 1891 February 11 1945 1 was an American lyricist He is best known for his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren Al DubinBornAlexander Dubin 1891 06 10 June 10 1891Zurich SwitzerlandDiedFebruary 11 1945 1945 02 11 aged 53 New York City New York U S OccupationLyricistYears active1909 45Spouse s Helen McClay 1921 1943 Edwina Coolidge 1943 1943 ChildrenSimon Joseph died 4 days after birth Patricia Dubin McGuireParent s Simon and Minna DubinRelativesJoseph Dubin brother Contents 1 Life 2 Career 3 Legacy 4 Work on Broadway 5 Notable films 6 Notable songs 7 References 8 External linksLife editAl Dubin came from a Russian Jewish family that emigrated to the United States from Switzerland when he was two years old 2 Born in Zurich Switzerland he grew up in Philadelphia 1 Between ages of thirteen and sixteen Dubin played hookey from school in order to travel into New York City to see Broadway musical shows At age 14 he began writing special material for a vaudeville entertainer on 28th Street between 5th and Broadway in New York City otherwise known as Tin Pan Alley 3 4 Dubin was accepted and enrolled at Perkiomen Seminary in September 1909 2 but was expelled in 1911 after writing their Alma Mater After leaving Perkiomen Dubin got himself a job as a singing waiter at a Philadelphia restaurant He continued to write lyrics and tried selling them to area publishing firms During this time Dubin met composer Joe Burke Together they wrote the song Oh You Mister Moon 1911 which was published by M Witmark amp Sons 5 The team also composed the Villanova University Anthem Alma Mater In 1917 Dubin was drafted at Camp Upton in Yaphank New York and served as a private in the 305th Field Artillery of the 77th Division known as New York s own During his service he wrote the song They Didn t Think We d Do it But We Did with composer Fred Rath and published by the 77th Division On his first weekend pass Dubin went to see a show at the Majestic Theater in New York City There he met Broadway singer Helen McClay 6 They were married on March 19 1921 at the Church of St Elizabeth in New York City after Dubin converted to the Catholic faith and McClay was granted an annulment of her first marriage 7 The year they married Dubin was accepted in ASCAP in 1921 Known for his larger than life persona Dubin struggled with alcohol and drugs 2 and fell on hard times in the 1940s Estranged from his wife Dubin struggled to find work both in Hollywood and New York The last show Dubin was contracted to work on was Laffing Room Only with composer Burton Lane Dubin provided only a title for this production Feudin and a Fightin for which he received 25 percent credit 8 Dubin spent the remainder of the last few years of his life at the Empire Hotel 8 alone and in ill health On February 8 1945 he collapsed on the street after having taken a large quantity of doctor prescribed barbiturates He was admitted to the Roosevelt Hospital for barbiturate poisoning and pneumonia 2 and later died on February 11 1945 1 Newspaper personality Walter Winchell made the announcement of his death on the radio 9 Dubin was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City California Career editDubin sold his first set of lyrics for two songs Prairie Rose and Sunray in 1909 to the Whitmark Music Publishing Firm 10 In 1925 Dubin met the composer Harry Warren who was to become his future collaborator at Warner Bros studio in Hollywood The first song they collaborated on was titled Too Many Kisses in the Summer Bring Too Many Tears in the Fall But it was another song written with Joseph Meyer that same year that became Dubin s first big hit A Cup of Coffee a Sandwich and You Warner Bros purchased the publishing firms of Witmark Remick and Harms and since Dubin was under contract to Harms Warner Bros inherited his services In 1929 Dubin wrote Tiptoe through the Tulips with composer Joe Burke 1 for the film Gold Diggers of Broadway In 1932 Dubin teamed officially with composer Harry Warren 11 on the movie musical 42nd Street starring Ruby Keeler Dick Powell Warner Baxter and Bebe Daniels with dance routines sequenced by Busby Berkeley The songwriting team of Warren and Dubin contributed four songs 42nd Street You re Getting to Be a Habit with Me Young and Healthy and Shuffle Off to Buffalo 1 Between 1932 and 1939 11 Dubin and Warren wrote 60 hit songs for several Warner Bros movie musicals including Gold Diggers of 1933 Footlight Parade starring James Cagney Roman Scandals starring Eddie Cantor Dames Go Into Your Dance and Wonder Bar both starring Al Jolson The song Lullaby of Broadway written by Warren and Dubin for the musical film Gold Diggers of 1935 1 won the 1936 Academy Award for Best Original Song 12 Legacy editIn 1980 producer David Merrick and director Gower Champion adapted the 1933 film 42nd Street into a Broadway musical that won The Tony Award for Best Musical in 1981 The book for the show was written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble and featured a score that incorporated Warren and Dubin songs from various movie musicals including 42nd Street Dames Go Into Your Dance Gold Diggers of 1933 and Gold Diggers of 1935 Dubin was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 2 Work on Broadway editCharlot Revue 1925 revue featured co lyricist for A Cup of Coffee a Sandwich and You White Lights 1927 musical co lyricist Streets of Paris 1939 revue lyricist Keep Off the Grass 1940 revue co lyricist Star and Garter 1942 revue featured lyricist for Robert the Roue Sugar Babies 1979 revue co lyricist 42nd Street 1980 revival in 2001 musical lyricistNotable films editThe Show of Shows 1929 Gold Diggers of Broadway 1929 Sally 1929 Oh Sailor Beware 1929 Hold Everything 1930 She Couldn t Say No 1930 42nd Street 1933 Footlight Parade 1933 Roman Scandals 1933 Gold Diggers of 1933 1933 Moulin Rouge 1934 Wonder Bar 1934 Dames 1934 Twenty Million Sweethearts 1934 Go Into Your Dance 1935 Gold Diggers of 1935 1935 Broadway Gondolier 1935 Stars Over Broadway 1935 Shipmates Forever 1935 Gold Diggers of 1937 1937 Mr Dodd Takes the Air 1937 Gold Diggers in Paris 1938 Garden of the Moon 1938 Streets of Paris 1939 Stage Door Canteen 1943 Notable songs edit Just a Girl That Men Forget lyrics by Al Dubin Fred Rath and Joe Garren 1923 4 13 A Cup of Coffee a Sandwich and You lyrics by Al Dubin and Billy Rose music by Joseph Meyer 1925 Tiptoe Through The Tulips Joe Burke 1929 Dancing with Tears in My Eyes from Dancing Sweeties 1930 registered as T 070 038 290 6 Forty Second Street 42nd Street Harry Warren M Witmark amp Sons 1932 Shuffle Off to Buffalo 42nd Street Young and Healthy 42nd Street You re Getting to Be a Habit with Me 42nd Street Shanghai Lil music by Harry Warren from Footlight Parade 1933 Keep Young and Beautiful Harry Warren from Roman Scandals 1933 Shadow Waltz Gold Diggers of 1933 Harry Warren M Witmark amp Sons 1933 We re In the Money Gold Diggers of 1933 Pettin in the Park Gold Diggers of 1933 Remember My Forgotten Man Gold Diggers of 1933 I ve Got to Sing a Love Song Gold Diggers of 1933 The Boulevard of Broken Dreams Harry Warren from Moulin Rouge 1934 Wonder Bar Harry Warren from Wonder Bar 1934 I Only Have Eyes for You Dames Harry Warren Remick Music Corp 1934 Dames Dames Go Into Your Dance Go Into Your Dance Harry Warren M Witmark amp Sons 1935 About a Quarter to Nine Go Into Your Dance She s a Latin from Manhattan Go Into Your Dance Lullaby of Broadway Gold Diggers of 1935 Harry Warren M Witmark amp Sons 1935 I m Going Shopping with You Gold Diggers of 1935 Lulu s Back In Town Harry Warren from Broadway Gondolier 1935 Don t Give Up the Ship Harry Warren from Shipmates Forever 1935 With Plenty of Money and You Harry Warren from Gold Diggers of 1937 1937 September in the Rain Harry Warren from Melody for Two 1937 Remember Me Harry Warren from Mr Dodd Takes the Air 1937 The Song of the Marines Harry Warren from The Singing Marine 1937 I Wanna Go Back to Bali Gold Diggers of 1938 Harry Warren Remick Music Corp 1938 The Latin Quarter Gold Diggers of 1938 Indian Summer 1919 Harms Inc 1939 We Mustn t Say Goodbye Stage Door Canteen music by James V Monaco Academy Award nominee for Best Song 14 Feudin and Fightin title by Dubin words and music by Burton Lane Mara Lane Music Corp from Laughing Room Only 1944 Villanova University Anthem Alma Mater Al Dubin and Joe Burke J W Pepper and Son 1930 Where Was I song by W Frank Harling and Al Dubin performed by Ruby Newman and His Orchestra with vocal chorus by Larry Taylor and Peggy McCall 1939 References edit a b c d e f Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 739 740 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 a b c d e Songwriters Hall of Fame Songwriters Hall of Fame Al Dubin Archived from the original on 2013 10 29 Retrieved 2013 10 27 Dubin Patricia McGuire 1983 Lullaby of Broadway Life and Times of Al Dubin One of America s Great Lyricists Citadel Press ISBN 0 8065 0871 X a b Burton Jack December 23 1950 Al Dubin Billboard ISSN 0006 2510 Dubin 1983 p 60 Mangravite Ronald 27 February 2003 The Avenue He s Takin You To Retrieved 20 November 2017 Dubin 1983 p 83 a b Dubin 1983 p 169 Dubin 1983 p 39 Dubin 1983 p 13 a b Encyclopaedia Britannica Al Dubin American Lyricist Retrieved 2013 10 27 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 134 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 Like Song Like Author The Indianapolis Times 1923 12 20 p 11 Retrieved 2023 04 01 Stage Door Canteen AFI Catalog of Feature Films American Film Institute Retrieved 2016 02 02 External links editAl Dubin at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp Al Dubin at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Al Dubin recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Dubin amp oldid 1170392763, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.