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Arthur Freed

December 26, 2022

Arthur Freed (September 9, 1894 – April 12, 1973)[1] was an American lyricist and Hollywood film producer. He won the Academy Award for Best Picture twice, in 1951 for An American in Paris and in 1958 for Gigi. Both films were musicals. In addition, he produced and was also a co-lyricist for the film Singin' in the Rain.

Arthur Freed
Freed receiving the Screen Producers Guild's Milestone Award, 1964
Background information
Birth nameArthur Grossman
Born(1894-09-09)September 9, 1894
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
DiedApril 12, 1973(1973-04-12) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation(s)Lyricist, film producer

Early life

Freed was born to a Jewish family in Charleston, South Carolina,[2][3] and wrote poetry while a high schooler at Phillips Exeter Academy.[4] After graduating in 1914, he began his career as a song-plugger and pianist in Chicago. After meeting Minnie Marx, he sang as part of the act of her sons, the Marx Brothers, on the vaudeville circuit, and also wrote material for the brothers.

He soon began to write songs, and was eventually hired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[1] For years, he wrote lyrics for numerous films, many set to music by Nacio Herb Brown.[1]

Career

In 1939, after working (uncredited) in the role of associate producer[5] on The Wizard of Oz, he was promoted to being the head of his own unit within MGM, and helped elevate the studio to the leading creator of film musicals. His first solo credit as producer was the film version of Rodgers and Hart's smash Broadway musical Babes in Arms (also 1939),[1] released only a few months after The Wizard of Oz. It starred Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, and it was so successful that it ushered in a long series of "let's put on a show" "backyard" musicals, all starring Rooney and Garland.

Freed brought talent from the Broadway theaters to the MGM soundstages including Vincente Minnelli, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Roger Edens, Kay Thompson, Zero Mostel, June Allyson, Nancy Walker, Charles Walters, orchestrators Conrad Salinger, Johnny Green, Lennie Hayton, and others including Shirley Temple. Shirley was signed by MGM for her comeback; the studio made plans to team her with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney for the Andy Hardy series. However, upon meeting with Arthur Freed for a preliminary interview, the MGM producer exposed his genitals to her, telling Temple "I have something made just for you."[6] When this elicited nervous giggles in response, Freed threw her out and ended their contract before any films were produced.

He also helped shape the careers of stars including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Lena Horne, Jane Powell, Esther Williams, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Cyd Charisse, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen, and others. He brought Fred Astaire to MGM after Astaire's tenure at RKO and coaxed him out of semi-retirement to star with Garland in Easter Parade. His team of writers, directors, composers and stars produced a steady stream of popular, critically acclaimed musicals until the late 1950s.

He allowed his directors and choreographers free rein, something unheard of in those days of committee-produced film musicals, and is credited for furthering the boundaries of film musicals by allowing such moments in films as the fifteen-minute ballet at the end of An American in Paris (1951), after which the film concludes moments later with no further dialogue or singing, and he allowed the musical team of Lerner and Loewe complete control in their writing of Gigi (1958).

According to Hugh Fordin's book The World of Entertainment, however, Freed did have a hand in the stage-to-screen adaptation of at least one of MGM's musicals, the 1951 Technicolor remake of Kern and Hammerstein's stage classic, Show Boat. It was Freed who disagreed with the original structure of the show's second act, in which more than twenty years pass between most of the act and the final three scenes of the musical. He felt that it made for a lack of drama in the story, and so, together with screenwriter John Lee Mahin, Freed hit upon the idea of having the gambler Gaylord Ravenal leave his wife Magnolia while both are still young and Magnolia is expecting a baby, and then having Julie, the half-black actress who is forced to leave the boat because of her mixed-race background, be the person who brings Ravenal and Magnolia back together again after a separation of only a few years rather than twenty. Also, Freed cast Ava Gardner in the role of Julie.[7]

Two of his films won the Academy Award for Best Picture: An American in Paris and Gigi.[1] On the night that An American in Paris won Best Picture, Freed received an Honorary Oscar, and his version of Show Boat was also up for two Oscars that year, though it lost both to An American in Paris. It is important to note that the year 1951, in which Freed won the Academy Award for Best Picture for Paris was the first year that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated producers by name rather than by studio. He was the only person nominated for An American in Paris, thus being the first person in the history of the award to win by name rather than by studio. Singin' in the Rain (1952), now his most highly regarded film, won no Oscars. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.

Allegations of child sexual abuse

Shirley Temple Black wrote in her 1988 autobiography that when aged twelve she was interviewed by Freed with a view to transferring her career to MGM. She wrote that during the interview, Freed unzipped his trousers and exposed himself to her.[8] "Being innocent of male anatomy, she responded by giggling, and he threw her out of his office", said the actress's obituary.[9] She also reported this on Larry King Live when interviewed on October 25, 1988, citing it as the reason she left MGM after only one film and returned to Fox.[10]

Retirement and later years

Freed left MGM in 1961.[1] He served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences until leaving in 1966.[11][12] He died of a heart attack on April 3, 1973.[13]

Hit songs

With Nacio Herb Brown

With others

Producing credits

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 915/6. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ Cones, John (April 2015). Motion Picture Biographies: The Hollywood Spin on Historical Figures. p. 32. ISBN 9781628941166.
  3. ^ "Oz Memorial". Wendyswizardofoz.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  4. ^ "Freed, Arthur (1894-1973), film producer and popular song lyricist". American National Biography. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1801401. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Imdb gives this job title to Freed's uncredited work on the film, so does the documentary on the Freed unit in the 50th Anniversary edition of Singin' in the Rain, but Thomas Hischak in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical (NYC: OUP, 2008, p264) suggests "co-producer".
  6. ^ "Margaret O'Brien's mother protected her from becoming another Judy Garland". January 12, 2022.
  7. ^ Fordin, Hugh (January 1, 1975). The world of entertainment!: Hollywood's greatest musicals (1st ed.). Doubleday. ISBN 9780385039659.
  8. ^ Handy, Bruce (February 14, 2014). "The Art Of The Creep: When Good Movies Happen To Bad People". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  9. ^ Harmetz, Aljean (February 11, 2014). "Shirley Temple Black, Screen Darling, Dies at 85". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  10. ^ Larry King Live with Shirley Temple Black, retrieved October 20, 2019
  11. ^ "Future Hollywood producer Arthur Freed performs at Camp Lewis Jewish Welfare House on May 21, 1918. - HistoryLink.org". www.historylink.org. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  12. ^ "Freed (Arthur) papers". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "Arthur Freed, Screen Producer Who Won 2 Oscars, Dead at 78". The New York Times. April 13, 1973. p. 42.

External links

Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences
1963–1967 		Succeeded by

December 26, 2022
arthur, freed, september, 1894, april, 1973, american, lyricist, hollywood, film, producer, academy, award, best, picture, twice, 1951, american, paris, 1958, gigi, both, films, were, musicals, addition, produced, also, lyricist, film, singin, rain, freed, rec. Arthur Freed September 9 1894 April 12 1973 1 was an American lyricist and Hollywood film producer He won the Academy Award for Best Picture twice in 1951 for An American in Paris and in 1958 for Gigi Both films were musicals In addition he produced and was also a co lyricist for the film Singin in the Rain Arthur FreedFreed receiving the Screen Producers Guild s Milestone Award 1964Background informationBirth nameArthur GrossmanBorn 1894 09 09 September 9 1894Charleston South Carolina United StatesDiedApril 12 1973 1973 04 12 aged 78 Los Angeles California United StatesOccupation s Lyricist film producer Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Allegations of child sexual abuse 4 Retirement and later years 5 Hit songs 5 1 With Nacio Herb Brown 5 2 With others 6 Producing credits 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditFreed was born to a Jewish family in Charleston South Carolina 2 3 and wrote poetry while a high schooler at Phillips Exeter Academy 4 After graduating in 1914 he began his career as a song plugger and pianist in Chicago After meeting Minnie Marx he sang as part of the act of her sons the Marx Brothers on the vaudeville circuit and also wrote material for the brothers He soon began to write songs and was eventually hired by Metro Goldwyn Mayer 1 For years he wrote lyrics for numerous films many set to music by Nacio Herb Brown 1 Career EditIn 1939 after working uncredited in the role of associate producer 5 on The Wizard of Oz he was promoted to being the head of his own unit within MGM and helped elevate the studio to the leading creator of film musicals His first solo credit as producer was the film version of Rodgers and Hart s smash Broadway musical Babes in Arms also 1939 1 released only a few months after The Wizard of Oz It starred Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and it was so successful that it ushered in a long series of let s put on a show backyard musicals all starring Rooney and Garland Freed brought talent from the Broadway theaters to the MGM soundstages including Vincente Minnelli Betty Comden Adolph Green Roger Edens Kay Thompson Zero Mostel June Allyson Nancy Walker Charles Walters orchestrators Conrad Salinger Johnny Green Lennie Hayton and others including Shirley Temple Shirley was signed by MGM for her comeback the studio made plans to team her with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney for the Andy Hardy series However upon meeting with Arthur Freed for a preliminary interview the MGM producer exposed his genitals to her telling Temple I have something made just for you 6 When this elicited nervous giggles in response Freed threw her out and ended their contract before any films were produced He also helped shape the careers of stars including Gene Kelly Frank Sinatra Red Skelton Lena Horne Jane Powell Esther Williams Kathryn Grayson Howard Keel Cyd Charisse Ann Miller Vera Ellen and others He brought Fred Astaire to MGM after Astaire s tenure at RKO and coaxed him out of semi retirement to star with Garland in Easter Parade His team of writers directors composers and stars produced a steady stream of popular critically acclaimed musicals until the late 1950s He allowed his directors and choreographers free rein something unheard of in those days of committee produced film musicals and is credited for furthering the boundaries of film musicals by allowing such moments in films as the fifteen minute ballet at the end of An American in Paris 1951 after which the film concludes moments later with no further dialogue or singing and he allowed the musical team of Lerner and Loewe complete control in their writing of Gigi 1958 According to Hugh Fordin s book The World of Entertainment however Freed did have a hand in the stage to screen adaptation of at least one of MGM s musicals the 1951 Technicolor remake of Kern and Hammerstein s stage classic Show Boat It was Freed who disagreed with the original structure of the show s second act in which more than twenty years pass between most of the act and the final three scenes of the musical He felt that it made for a lack of drama in the story and so together with screenwriter John Lee Mahin Freed hit upon the idea of having the gambler Gaylord Ravenal leave his wife Magnolia while both are still young and Magnolia is expecting a baby and then having Julie the half black actress who is forced to leave the boat because of her mixed race background be the person who brings Ravenal and Magnolia back together again after a separation of only a few years rather than twenty Also Freed cast Ava Gardner in the role of Julie 7 Two of his films won the Academy Award for Best Picture An American in Paris and Gigi 1 On the night that An American in Paris won Best Picture Freed received an Honorary Oscar and his version of Show Boat was also up for two Oscars that year though it lost both to An American in Paris It is important to note that the year 1951 in which Freed won the Academy Award for Best Picture for Paris was the first year that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated producers by name rather than by studio He was the only person nominated for An American in Paris thus being the first person in the history of the award to win by name rather than by studio Singin in the Rain 1952 now his most highly regarded film won no Oscars He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 Allegations of child sexual abuse EditShirley Temple Black wrote in her 1988 autobiography that when aged twelve she was interviewed by Freed with a view to transferring her career to MGM She wrote that during the interview Freed unzipped his trousers and exposed himself to her 8 Being innocent of male anatomy she responded by giggling and he threw her out of his office said the actress s obituary 9 She also reported this on Larry King Live when interviewed on October 25 1988 citing it as the reason she left MGM after only one film and returned to Fox 10 Retirement and later years EditFreed left MGM in 1961 1 He served as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences until leaving in 1966 11 12 He died of a heart attack on April 3 1973 13 Hit songs EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Arthur Freed news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message With Nacio Herb Brown Edit The Broadway Melody You Were Meant for Me Wedding of the Painted Doll Singin in the Rain Pagan Love Song Should I Beautiful Girl Going Hollywood Temptation We ll Make Hay While the Sun Shines Cinderella s Fella Fell off the Cliff All I Do Is Dream of You You Are My Lucky Star I ve Got a Feelin You re Foolin Broadway Rhythm Sing Before Breakfast Alone Would You Yours and Mine Smoke Dreams Good Morning Make Em Laugh With others Edit I Cried for You with Gus Arnheim and Abe Lyman Our Love Affair with Roger Edens This Heart of Mine with Harry Warren There s Beauty Everywhere with Harry Warren Here s to the Girls with Roger Edens Producing credits EditThe Wizard of Oz 1939 associate producer Babes in Arms 1939 Strike Up the Band 1940 Little Nellie Kelly 1940 Lady Be Good 1941 Babes on Broadway 1941 Panama Hattie 1942 For Me and My Gal 1942 Cabin in the Sky 1943 Best Foot Forward 1943 Du Barry Was a Lady 1943 Girl Crazy 1943 Meet the People 1944 executive producer Meet Me in St Louis 1944 The Clock 1945 Yolanda and the Thief 1945 The Harvey Girls 1946 Ziegfeld Follies 1946 Till the Clouds Roll By 1946 Good News 1947 Summer Holiday 1948 The Pirate 1948 Easter Parade 1948 Words and Music 1948 Take Me Out to the Ball Game 1949 The Barkleys of Broadway 1949 Any Number Can Play 1949 On the Town 1949 Annie Get Your Gun 1950 Crisis 1950 Pagan Love Song 1950 Royal Wedding 1951 Show Boat 1951 An American in Paris 1951 The Belle of New York 1952 Singin in the Rain 1952 The Band Wagon 1953 Brigadoon 1954 It s Always Fair Weather 1955 Kismet 1955 Invitation to the Dance 1956 Silk Stockings 1957 Gigi 1958 Bells Are Ringing 1960 The Subterraneans 1960 The Light in the Piazza 1962 References Edit a b c d e f Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 915 6 ISBN 0 85112 939 0 Cones John April 2015 Motion Picture Biographies The Hollywood Spin on Historical Figures p 32 ISBN 9781628941166 Oz Memorial Wendyswizardofoz com Retrieved February 28 2012 Freed Arthur 1894 1973 film producer and popular song lyricist American National Biography doi 10 1093 anb 9780198606697 001 0001 anb 9780198606697 e 1801401 Retrieved November 4 2022 Imdb gives this job title to Freed s uncredited work on the film so does the documentary on the Freed unit in the 50th Anniversary edition of Singin in the Rain but Thomas Hischak in The Oxford Companion to the American Musical NYC OUP 2008 p264 suggests co producer Margaret O Brien s mother protected her from becoming another Judy Garland January 12 2022 Fordin Hugh January 1 1975 The world of entertainment Hollywood s greatest musicals 1st ed Doubleday ISBN 9780385039659 Handy Bruce February 14 2014 The Art Of The Creep When Good Movies Happen To Bad People Vanity Fair Retrieved June 11 2016 Harmetz Aljean February 11 2014 Shirley Temple Black Screen Darling Dies at 85 The New York Times Retrieved February 11 2014 Larry King Live with Shirley Temple Black retrieved October 20 2019 Future Hollywood producer Arthur Freed performs at Camp Lewis Jewish Welfare House on May 21 1918 HistoryLink org www historylink org Retrieved December 19 2020 Freed Arthur papers oac cdlib org Retrieved December 19 2020 Arthur Freed Screen Producer Who Won 2 Oscars Dead at 78 The New York Times April 13 1973 p 42 External links Edit Biography portal Arthur Freed at Find a Grave SHoF page on Arthur Freed Full list of Freed s songs on SHoF site Arthur Freed at the Internet Broadway Database Arthur Freed at IMDb Arthur Freed Filmography The New York Times Arthur Freed recordings at the Discography of American Historical RecordingsNon profit organization positionsPreceded byWendell Corey President of Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences1963 1967 Succeeded byGregory Peck Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arthur Freed amp oldid 1128676880, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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