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Biography of
George Gershwin

Birth name:   Jacob Gershvin
Date of birth (location)
26 September 1898,
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Date of death (details)
11 July 1937,
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Mini biography
He was born Jacob Gershowitz, 26 September 1898, in Brooklyn, New York.
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Filmography as: Composer, Actor, Writer
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Composer - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s) (1960s) (1950s) (1940s) (1930s) (1920s)

"Jazz" (2001) (mini) TV Series (from "Rhapsody in Blue")
Love's Labour's Lost (2000) (songs)
... aka Peines d'amour perdues (2001) (France)

Fantasia/2000 (1999) (from "Rhapsody in Blue")
Crazy for You (1999) (TV)
Scrolls of Darius: Dispute of Ascendancy, The (1998) (V)
Assignment: Rescue (1997) (from "An American in Paris") (uncredited)
... aka Story of Varian Fry and the Emergency Rescue Committee, The (1997) (USA: subtitle)
Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1997) (TV)
Jake's Women (1995) (TV)
Anyone for Bridge? (1993)
Porgy and Bess (1993) (TV)

Wizard of Speed and Time, The (1988) (song "It Ain't Necessarily So")

Manhattan (1979)
Of Thee I Sing (1972) (TV)

Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)
Notorious Landlady, The (1962) (song "A Foggy Day")

Porgy and Bess (1959)
Funny Face (1957)
American in Paris, An (1951) (songs)

Shocking Miss Pilgrim, The (1947) (song)
Man I Love, The (1946)
Ziegfeld Follies (1946)
Rhapsody in Blue (1945)
Girl Crazy (1943)
So's Your Uncle (1943) (songs)
Lady Be Good (1941)

Goldwyn Follies, The (1938) (songs)
Damsel in Distress, A (1937)
Shall We Dance? (1937)
World Moves On, The (1934) (uncredited)
Girl Crazy (1932)
Delicious (1931)
Song of the Flame, The (1930)
King of Jazz, The (1930)

Gus Arnheim and His Ambassadors (1928) (from "Rhapsody In Blue")
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Filmography as: Composer, Actor, Writer
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Actor - filmography
"New York: A Documentary Film" (1999) (mini) TV Series (archive footage) (uncredited) .... Himself (plays piano)
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Filmography as: Composer, Actor, Writer
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Writer - filmography

Girl Crazy (1943) (play)

Mini biography
He was born Jacob Gershowitz, 26 September 1898, in Brooklyn, New York, of Russian-Jewish immigrants. As a boy he could play popular and classical works on his brother Ira's piano by ear. In 1913 he quit school to study music and began composing for Tin Pan Alley; by 1919 he had his first hit "Swanee" and his first Broadway show "La, La, Lucille." In less than three weeks in 1924 he composed "Rhapsody in Blue," originally for Paul Whiteman's relatively small swing band and later orchestrated by Ferde Grof^Eé. "Concerto in F" followed the next year, and his musical success "Oh , Kay!" (which included "Someone to Watch Over Me") the year after that. Success continued: "Funny Face" (1927), the tone poem "American in Paris" (1928), "Girl Crazy" (1929), "Of Thee I Sing" (1931 the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize), and the first true American opera: "Porgy and Bess" (1935). He moved to Hollywood were his songs were performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In 1937 he fell in love with Paulette Goddard, then married to Charlie Chaplin. He was hearbroken that she would not leave her husband for him. When he fell ill, that June, it was written off as stress. A month later he died of a brain tumor, five hours after a failed surgical attempt to remove it. Funerals were hold in both Hollywood and New York.
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Trivia
Brother of lyricist Ira Gershwin.

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Personal quotes
"Gershwin was, and remains, one of the greatest voices that ever rang out in the history of American urban culture." - Leonard Bernstein

"Speaking as a member of the world of modern music, I would say that the death of George Gershwin is a great blow to those millions of music lovers who received his arresting compositions so enthusiastically. We feel he had only scratched the surface of the fame that would have been greater still had he lived to continue his works. It is through his writings that the symphony concert halls of the world have been opened for modern music." - Paul Whiteman

"As great a composer as he was, George was never brassy, never hard to get along with. He was shy, reserved, a sweet guy." - Ira Gershwin

"The Gershwins are the only writers, and I've known them all; Arlen, Loesser, Kern, Porter, Rodgers and Hart... who could make the transition from pop to concert halls. They could write popular songs, orchestral pieces, and even great operas." - Larry Adler

"Why should I limit myself to only one woman when I can have as many women as I want?"

Biography of
Ira Gershwin
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Trivia

Brother of composer George Gershwin.

Mentor to singer Micheal Fienstein.
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Personal quotes

"Such delicacies as your jingles prove that songs can be both popular and intelligent." - Lorenz Hart in a 1925 letter to Ira

"The Gershwins are the only writers, and I've known them all; Arlen, Loesser, Kern, Porter, Rodgers and Hart... who could make the transition from pop to concert halls. They could write popular songs, orchestral pieces, and even great operas." - Larry Adler

"Oh, he's a clever college boy with lots of talent. - George Gershwin, circa 1920

Birth name
Israel Gershvin
Date of birth (location)
6 December 1896,
New York, New York, USA
Date of death (details)
17 August 1983,
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
Trivia
Brother of composer George Gershwin.
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Filmography as: Miscellaneous crew, Composer, Writer
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Miscellaneous crew - filmography
(1990s) (1970s) (1960s) (1950s) (1940s) (1930s)

Crazy for You (1999) (TV) (lyricist)
Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1997) (TV) (lyricist)

Of Thee I Sing (1972) (TV) (lyricist)

Notorious Landlady, The (1962) (lyricist) (non-original music: song "A Foggy Day"))

Porgy and Bess (1959) (lyricist)
Country Girl, The (1954) (lyricist)
Star Is Born, A (1954) (lyricist)
American in Paris, An (1951) (lyricist)

Till the Clouds Roll by (1947) (lyricist) (uncredited)
Ziegfeld Follies (1946) (lyricist)
Where Do We Go from Here? (1945) (lyricist)
Rhapsody in Blue (1945) (lyricist: non-original lyrics)
Cover Girl (1944) (lyricist)
Lady in the Dark (1944) (lyricist)
Girl Crazy (1943) (lyricist)
North Star, The (1943) (lyricist)
... aka Armored Attack (1943) (USA: recut version)
Princess O'Rourke (1943) (lyricist)
Lady Be Good (1941) (lyricist)

Damsel in Distress, A (1937) (lyricist)
Delicious (1931) (lyricist)
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Filmography as: Miscellaneous crew, Composer, Writer
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Composer - filmography
(2000s) (1990s) (1960s) (1950s) (1940s) (1930s)

Love's Labour's Lost (2000) (songs)
... aka Peines d'amour perdues (2001) (France)

Jake's Women (1995) (TV)

Kiss Me, Stupid (1964)

Funny Face (1957)
Give a Girl a Break (1953)

Barkleys of Broadway, The (1949)
Shocking Miss Pilgrim, The (1947) (song)
North Star, The (1943)
... aka Armored Attack (1943) (USA: recut version)

Shall We Dance? (1937)
Girl Crazy (1932)
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Filmography as: Miscellaneous crew, Composer, Writer
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Writer - filmography
(1990s) (1940s)

Crazy for You (1999) (TV) (song lyrics)
Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1997) (TV) (song lyrics)

Girl Crazy (1943) (play)

Biography for
Robert Alda

Birth name:
Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo
Date of birth (location)
26 February 1914,
New York, New York, USA
Date of death (details)
3 May 1986,
Los Angeles, California, USA. (effects of a stroke)
Mini biography
Robert Alda's career began in vaudeville, as a singer-dancer.
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Filmography as: Actor, Notable TV guest appearances
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Actor - filmography
(1980s) (1970s) (1960s) (1950s) (1940s)

Code Red (1981) (TV) .... Dr. Gerold Brooks
"Days of Our Lives" (1965) TV Series .... Dr. Stuart Whyland (1981)
... aka "DOOL" (1965) (USA: informal short title)
... aka "Days" (1965) (USA: abbreviated title)

"Supertrain" (1979) TV Series .... Dr. Lewis (1979)
Express to Terror (1979) (TV)
Every Girl Should Have One (1978)
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) (TV) .... Mr. White
... aka Deadly Dust, The (1986) (TV) (USA: video title)
... aka Spiderman: The Deadly Dust (1978) (TV)
"Greatest Heroes of the Bible" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Vizier
Squeeze, The (1978) .... Donati
... aka Diamond Thieves (1978)
... aka Heist, The (1978)
... aka Rip-Off, The (1978)
Perfect Gentlemen (1978) (TV) .... Ed Martin
Bittersweet Love (1976) .... Ben
Natale in casa d'appuntamento (1976) (TV)
... aka Christmas Time in a Brothel (1976) (TV)
... aka Christmas at the Brothel (1976) (TV)
... aka Holiday Hookers (1976) (TV) (USA)
... aka Love by Appointment (1976) (TV)
Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) .... Richard Entwhistl
I Will, I Will... for Now (1976) .... Dr. Magnus
Last Hours Before Morning (1975) (TV) .... Theo 'Lucky' English
Cagliostro (1974) .... Pope Clement XIII
Casa dell'esorcismo, La (1974) .... Father Michael ("House of Exorcism")
... aka Devil and the Dead, The (1974)
... aka Devil in the House of Exorcism, The (1974)
... aka Diablo se lleva a los muertos, El (1974) (Spain)
... aka Diavolo e i morti, Il (1974)
... aka House of Exorcism, The (1974) (USA: recut version)
... aka Lisa and the Devil (1974) (USA)
... aka Lisa e il diavolo (1972) (Italy: first title)
... aka Teuflische, Der (1974) (West Germany)
Serpent, Le (1972) .... Interrogator
... aka Night Flight from Moscow (1972) (USA: reissue title)
... aka Schlange, Die (1973) (West Germany)
... aka Serpent, The (1972) (USA)
... aka Serpente, Il (1972) (Italy)

Girl Who Knew Too Much, The (1969) .... Kenneth Allandice
All Woman (1967) .... Wally
... aka Schizo (1967) (USA)
"Love of Life" (1951) TV Series .... Jason Ferris (1966-1967)
Devil's Hand, The (1962) .... Rick Turner
... aka Devil's Doll (1962)
... aka Live to Love (1962)
... aka Naked Goddess, The (1962)
Totò e Peppino divisi a Berlino (1962)
... aka Toto and Peppino Divided in Berlin (1962) (International: English title)
... aka Totò e Peppino a Berlino (1962)
Force of Impulse (1961) .... Warren Reese
Moschettieri del mare, I (1960)
... aka Musketeers of the Sea (1960) (USA)
Sepolcro dei re, Il (1960) .... Inuni
... aka Cleopatra's Daughter (1960) (USA)
... aka Vallée des pharaons, La (1960) (France)
Vendetta dei barbari, La (1960)
... aka Revenge of the Barbarians (1960) (USA)

Militare e mezzo, Un (1959)
Imitation of Life (1959) .... Allen Loomis
"Can Do" (1956) TV Series .... Emcee
"Robert Alda Show, The" (1955) TV Series
"Secret File, U.S.A." (1955) TV Series .... Major William Morgan (1955)
Donna più bella del mondo, La (1955) .... Maestro Doria
... aka Beautiful But Dangerous (1955) (USA)
... aka Belle des belles, La (1955) (France)
... aka World's Most Beautiful Woman, The (1955) (International: English title: literal title)
"Personality Puzzle" (1953) TV Series .... Host (1953)
"What's Your Bid" (1953) TV Series .... Host (May-July 1953)
Mr. Universe (1951) .... Fingers Maroni
Two Gals and a Guy (1951) .... Deke Oliver
... aka Baby and Me (1951) (USA: alternative title)
Hollywood Varieties (1950) .... Master of Ceremonies
Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) .... Neil
... aka Tarzan and the Jungle Queen (1950) (USA)
"By Popular Demand" (1950) TV Series .... Host (1950)

Homicide (1949) .... Andy
April Showers (1948) .... Billy Shay
Nora Prentiss (1947) .... Phil Dinardo
Beast with Five Fingers, The (1946) .... Conrad Ryler
Cinderella Jones (1946) .... Tommy Coles
Man I Love, The (1946) .... Nicky Toresca
Cloak and Dagger (1946) .... Lt. Pinkie
Rhapsody in Blue (1945) .... George Gershwin
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Filmography as: Actor, Notable TV guest appearances
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Notable TV guest appearances

"Laverne & Shirley" (1976) playing "Monroe Harrison" in episode: "Shirley and The Older Man" (episode # 8.4) 1982
"Quincy" (1976) playing "George Temple" in episode: "Jury Duty" (episode # 5.10) 1/28/1981
"M*A*S*H" (1972) playing "Dr. Borelli" in episode: "Lend a Hand" (episode # 8.20) 2/4/1980
"Dukes of Hazzard, The" (1979) playing "C. J. Holmes" in episode: "Runaway, The" (episode # 2.15) 1/11/1980
"Tenspeed and Brown Shoe" (1980) in episode: "It's Easier to Pass an Elephant Through the Eye of a Needle Than a Bad Check in Bel Aire" (episode # 1.9) 1980
"Incredible Hulk, The" (1978) playing "Giancarlo Corleone" in episode: "My Favorite Magician" (episode # 3.5) 10/26/1979
"Facts of Life, The" (1979) playing "Robert, Mrs. Garrett's Ex-Husband" in episode: "Return of Mr. Garrett, The" (episode # 1.3) 9/7/1979
"Wonder Woman" (1976) playing "Harcourt" in episode: "Formicida" (episode # 3.5) 11/3/1978
"Fantasy Island" (1978) playing "Mark" in episode: "Reunion/Anniversary" (episode # 1.13) 4/29/1978
"Incredible Hulk, The" (1978) in episode: "Terror in Times Square" (episode # 1.4) 3/31/1978
"Rockford Files, The" (1974) in episode: "Three Day Affair with a Thirty Day Escrow, A" (episode # 5.7) 1978
"Ellery Queen" (1975) playing "Frank Anthony" in episode: "Adventure of the Sunday Punch, The" (episode # 1.13) 1/11/1976
"Kojak" (1973) playing "Adrian Marshall" in episode: "No Immunity For Murder" (episode # 3.10) 11/23/1975
"Invisible Man, The" (1975) playing "Jim Fielder" in episode: "Klae Resource, The" (episode # 1.2) 9/8/1975
"M*A*S*H" (1972) playing "Dr. Borelli" in episode: "Consultant, The" (episode # 3.17) 1/21/1975
"Emergency!" (1972) in episode: "Syndrome" (episode # 2.16) 2/10/1973
"Here's Lucy" (1968) playing "Captain McClay" in episode: "Lucy Goes Hawaiian: Part 1" (episode # 3.12) 2/15/1971
"Here's Lucy" (1968) playing "Himself" in episode: "Lucy And Carol Burnett" (episode # 3.23) 2/8/1971
"Here's Lucy" (1968) playing "Dean Butler" in episode: "Lucy, The Co-Ed" (episode # 3.17) 10/19/1970
"Mission: Impossible" (1966) playing "Diego Maximillian" in episode: "Flip Side" (episode # 5.2) 9/29/1970
"Julia" (1968) playing "Mike Murray" in episode: "Julia Tanks Again" 1970
"Ironside" (1967) playing "F.A. Hobarth" in episode: "Sacrifice, The" (episode # 2.4) 10/3/1968
"Ironside" (1967) playing "Johnny Utrecht" in episode: "Taker, The" (episode # 1.5) 10/12/1967
"Naked City" (1958) in episode: "Fallen Star" (episode # 1.27) 3/31/1959
"Alfred Hitchcock Presents" (1955) playing "Ben Nelson" in episode: "Morning After, The" (episode # 4.14) 1/11/1959
"Your Story Theatre" (1950)
"Your Show Time" (1949) in episode: "Substitute, The" (episode # 1.5) 2/18/1949

Mini biography
Robert Alda's career began in vaudeville, as a singer-dancer. Graduating to performing on radio and in burlesque, he made a splashy film debut as George Gershwin in "Rhapsody in Blue." His film career faltered somewhat after that, but he had much greater success on the Broadway stage in such productions as "Guys and Dolls" and "What Makes Sammy Run." Settling in Rome in the early 1960s, he appeared in many Italian and European films over the next 15 years. While many of them were quite successful in Europe, few made it to the United States. Alda is the father of actor Alan Alda.
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Trivia

Father of Alan Alda and Antony Alda.

His professional surname derives from the first two letters of each of his first name and his surname at birth, i.e. ALphonso DAbruzzo (AL + DA = Alda).

Biography from Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia:
Actor. (b. Feb. 26, 1914, New York City, as Alphonse Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo; d. May 3, 1986.) Handsome vaudevillian-turnedscreen-actor who debuted as composer George Gershwin in Rhapsody in Blue (1945). Alda, the son of an immigrant barber, had the potential of a classic leading man, but after only a few more prestige films (1946's Cloak and Dagger and 1947's Nora Prentiss), he was reduced to the likes of Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) and Two Gals and a Guy (1951). Stage work offered Alda more rewarding opportunities; he starred on Broadway in "Guys and Dolls" and "What Makes Sammy Run?" After moving to Rome in 1960, he appeared in many European coproductions, and in the 1970s and 1980s delighted fans with his guest appearances on American TV-including two on "M*A*S*H" with his son Alan Alda.

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MOVIETREASURES INDEX - HOME - ABOUT ME - UPDATES