Bert Kalmar (February 10, 1884 – September 18, 1947) was an American songwriter, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. He was also a screenwriter.
Biography
Kalmar, a native of New York City, left school at an early age and began working in vaudeville. He appeared on stage as a magician, comedian and dancer before switching to songwriting, after a knee injury ended his performing career. By this time, he had earned enough to start a music publishing company, Kalmar and Puck, where he collaborated with a number of songwriters, including Harry Puck (1891–1964) and
Harry Ruby
Harry Rubenstein (January 27, 1895 – February 23, 1974), known professionally as Harry Ruby, was an American actor, pianist, composer, songwriter and screenwriter, who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.Kalmar profile. ''AllMusic''. Retrieved: April 29, 2013. The publishing firm also operated under the name Kalmar, Puck, Abrahams, Consolidated, Inc., the other named partner being Maurice Abrahams (1883–1931)
By 1918, Kalmar and Ruby had formed a permanent songwriting team. Together, they wrote the musical score for the
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' thirteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) ...
' stage production of ''
Animal Crackers
An animal cracker is a particular type of cracker, baked in the shape of an animal, usually an animal either at a zoo or a circus, such as a lion, a tiger, a bear, or an elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet, bu ...
'' (1928) and subsequent film version. Their songs were also featured in the
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' thirteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) ...
' films ''
Horse Feathers
''Horse Feathers'' is a 1932 pre-Code comedy film starring the Marx Brothers. It stars the Four Marx Brothers ( Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo), Thelma Todd and David Landau. It was written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, S. J. Perelman, a ...
Red Skelton
Richard Red Skelton (July 18, 1913September 17, 1997) was an American entertainer best known for his national radio and television shows between 1937 and 1971, especially as host of the television program ''The Red Skelton Show''. He has stars ...
. Kalmar did, however, occasionally work with
Oscar Hammerstein II
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II (; July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960) was an American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and (usually uncredited) director in the musical theater for almost 40 years. He won eight To ...
,
Ted Snyder
Theodore Frank Snyder (August 15, 1881 in Freeport, Illinois – July 16, 1965 in Woodland Hills, California), was an American composer, lyricist, and music publisher. His hits include "The Sheik of Araby" (1921) and " Who's Sorry Now?" (1923). ...
and other songwriters.Bert Kalmar song catalog. ''Songwritershalloffame.org''. Retrieved: April 29, 2013.
Bert Kalmar was married to Jessie Brown, with whom he had two children. The couple were later divorced.
He died in Los Angeles, California and was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Works
Broadway
*'' Ziegfeld Follies of 1920'' (1920) - revue - featured co-songwriter for "I'm a Vamp from East Broadway"
*''Helen of Troy, New York'' (1923) - co-composer and co-lyricist with Harry Ruby
*''Ziegfeld Follies of 1923'' (1923) - revue - featured lyricist for "Society Bud"
*''No Other Girl'' (1924) - co-composer and co-lyricist with Harry Ruby
*''Holka Polka'' (1925) - book-editor
*''The Ramblers'' (1926) - co-composer, co-lyricist, and co-bookwriter with Harry Ruby
*''Lucky'' (1927) - co-writer with Otto Harbach, Harry Ruby and Jerome Kern
*'' The Five O'Clock Girl'' (1927) and (1981 revival) - lyricist with composer Harry Ruby
*''She's My Baby'' (1928) - co-bookwriter with Harry Ruby
*''Top Speed'' (1929) - co-writer and co- producer with Harry Ruby and Guy Bolton
*''High Kickers'' (1941) - co-composer, co-lyricist with Harry Ruby and co-bookwriter with Ruby and George Jessel
*''
The Corn is Green
''The Corn Is Green'' is a 1938 semi-autobiographical play by Welsh dramatist and actor Emlyn Williams. The play premiered in London at the Duchess Theatre in September 1938; with Sybil Thorndike as Miss Moffat and Williams himself portraying Mo ...
Animal Crackers
An animal cracker is a particular type of cracker, baked in the shape of an animal, usually an animal either at a zoo or a circus, such as a lion, a tiger, a bear, or an elephant. The most common variety is light-colored and slightly sweet, bu ...
'' (1928): became Groucho Marx's signature tune.
*"I Love You So Much" (1928)
* "Three Little Words" (1930), their biggest hit.
* "Nevertheless" (1931), a hit for both
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...
and
Rudy Vallée
Hubert Prior Vallée (July 28, 1901 – July 3, 1986), known professionally as Rudy Vallée, was an American singer, musician, actor, and radio host. He was one of the first modern pop stars of the teen idol type.
Early life
Hubert Prior Val ...
, later done by The Mills Brothers and Frank Sinatra
*"I'm Against It", "I Always Get My Man" and "Everyone Says I Love You" from ''Horse Feathers'' (1932)
*"Hail, Hail Freedonia" from ''Duck Soup'' (1933)
*"What a Perfect Combination" (1932), lyrics by Kalmar and
Irving Caesar
Irving Caesar (born Isidor Keiser, July 4, 1895 – December 18, 1996) was an American lyricist and theater composer who wrote lyrics for numerous song standards, including " Swanee", "Sometimes I'm Happy", " Crazy Rhythm", and " Tea for T ...
Broadway show
Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...
A Kiss to Build a Dream On
"A Kiss to Build a Dream On" is a song composed by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein II. In 1935, Kalmar and Ruby wrote a song called "Moonlight on the Meadow" for the Marx Brothers film '' A Night at the Opera'' (1935) but the song ...
" (1935), their last hit
*"
The Real McCoys
''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Company, it ...