Frank Loesser
Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of famous composers of the Great American Songbook. Barry turns the spotlight on lyricist and songwriter Frank Loesser.
Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of ten famous American composers, playing rare recordings and de-constructing their songs at his piano.
Recorded at Barry's home in America, the series gives a songwriter's insight into the art and craft of songwriting, covering over 60 years of composition. This week he celebrates Frank Loesser, the Pulitzer, Tony and Academy award-winning lyricist and songwriter.
Born in New York in 1910, Loesser was briefly a newspaper reporter before his first lyrics (In Love with the Memory of You) were published in 1931. He moved to Hollywood where he wrote songs for dozens of films and whilst serving in World War II, he began writing music in addition to words. His compositions included Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition, Heart and Soul [aka Chopsticks - the music was written by Hoagy Carmichael] and he picked up an Oscar in 1949 for Baby, It's Cold Outside.
His major film score was Hans Christian Andersen (1952), which provided Danny Kaye with several memorable songs, while his stage successes included Guys and Dolls (1953) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1963) which is currently playing on Broadway, with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.
Frank died of lung cancer in 1969 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the following year.
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Music Played
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Cast
Runyonland Music
- Guys And Dolls: Original Cast Recording.
- MCA.
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T.V. Carpio
The Most Happy Fella Overture
- The Most Happy Fella.
- SEPIA.
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Helen Ward
Heart And Soul
- Larry Clinton And His Orchestra.
- LARRY CLINTON IN HI FI.
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The Cleftones
Heart And Soul
- More Rockin' Doowop.
- SEQUEL.
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Barry Manilow
I Don't Want To Walk Without You
- The Songs 1975 1990.
- ARISTA.
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A Little Late This Year
Spring Will Be
- Helen Merrill.
- HELEN MERRILL WITH STRINGS.
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Barbra Streisand
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
- Christmas Memories.
- COLUMBIA.
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Bette Midler
Slow Boat To China
- Barry Manilow.
- BETTE MIDLER SINGS THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY.
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Ray Charles & Betty Carter - Baby It's Cold Outside
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Ray Bolger
Once In Love With Amy
- Ultimate Broadway.
- ARISTA.
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Kaye, Stubby With Johnny Silver
Guys And Dolls
- Original Cast 100 Years Of The America Met Records.
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Blaine, Vivian And The Hot Box Girls
A Bushel And A Peck
- Guys And Dolls Original Cast Recording.
- NAXOS.
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Robert Alda
I've Never Been In Love Before
- Isabel Bigley.
- GUYS AND DOLLS, ORIGINAL 1950 BROADWAY C NAXOS.
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Stubby Kaye
Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat
- Guys And Dolls / Original Broadway Cast.
- MCA.
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Robert Alda
Luck Be A Lady
- Guys And Dolls.
- CORAL.
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Vivian Blaine
Take Back Your Mink
- Guys And Dolls.
- PEGASUS.
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Danny Kaye
I'm Hans Christian Andersen
- Hans Christian Andersen/Court Jester.
- VARESE SARABANDE.
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Kaye, Danny & Jane Wyman
No Two People (Hands Christian Anderson)
- Hands Christian Anderson/The Court Jeste Varese Sarabande.
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Danny Kaye
Anywhere I Wander
- Hans Christian Andersen/Court Jester.
- VARESE SARABANDE.
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Danny Kaye [vocals]; Original soundtrack recording
Inchworm
- Danny Kaye in... Hans Christian Andersen Varese Sarabande.
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Danny Kaye
Wonderful Copenhagen
- Hans Christian Andersen/Court Jeaster.
- VARESE SARABANDE.
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Judy Garland
Never Will I Marry
- The Collection: Live!.
- CASTLE COLLECTORS SERIES.
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Robert Morse
I Believe In You
- How To Succeed In Business Without Reall Rykodisc.
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Sinatra, Frank Johnny Silver & Stubby Kaye
Guys And Dolls
- Guys And Dolls Original Soundstrack.
- MOTION PICTURE TRACKS.
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Robert Weede
Mamma. Mamma
- The Most Happy Fella.
- SONY BROADWAY.
Broadcasts
- Tue 5 Apr 2011 22:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Sun 6 Nov 2011 19:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2