Arthur Gershwin
Encyclopedia
Arthur Gershwin was an American composer. He was not a professional musician, however, and made his living as a stockbroker. He was born in New York City, the third child in the musical Gershwin family
.
He composed the two-act musical A Lady Says Yes (1945) which is set in 1545 and 1945 and takes place in Venice, Washington D.C. and China. It ran on Broadway from Jan 10, 1945 to Mar 25, 1945 at the Broadhurst Theatre
and had 87 performances.
His song Invitation to the Blues with lyrics by Doris Fisher, was used in the film Tootsie
(1982) and has been recorded by Julie London
.
His grandson Todd Gershwin is a trustee of George and Ira's estate.
The birth order was: Ira
, George
, Arthur, then Frances Gershwin
.
Arthur said in a 1972 interview with Robert Kimball and Alfred Simon that when he was a child, he was George's pal and went around with him more than Ira did.
Frances said of Arthur that he played by ear and "his rhythm wasn't that great." She used to tease him. "He was really very funny - he was the funny one of the family ... a natural comedian." "When [the other brothers] introduced him, he would say, 'Yes, I'm the unknown Gershwin.' "
George wrote in one of his last letters to his mother (May 19, 1937), "How is brother Arthur these days? I am glad to hear that he is writing a lot of tunes and I hope that he can find a market for some of them."
Arthur is buried in Westchester Hills Cemetery
, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Gershwin (disambiguation)
Gershwin may refer to:One of the Gershwin family members:* George Gershwin , American composer, author of famous works like Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris...
.
He composed the two-act musical A Lady Says Yes (1945) which is set in 1545 and 1945 and takes place in Venice, Washington D.C. and China. It ran on Broadway from Jan 10, 1945 to Mar 25, 1945 at the Broadhurst Theatre
Broadhurst Theatre
The Broadhurst Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 235 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan.It was designed by architect Herbert J. Krapp, a well-known theatre designer who had been working directly with the Shubert brothers; the Broadhurst opened 27 September 1917...
and had 87 performances.
His song Invitation to the Blues with lyrics by Doris Fisher, was used in the film Tootsie
Tootsie
Tootsie is a 1982 American comedy film that tells the story of a talented but volatile actor whose reputation for being difficult forces him to go to extreme lengths to land a job. The movie stars Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange, with a supporting cast that includes Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman,...
(1982) and has been recorded by Julie London
Julie London
Julie London was an American singer and actress. She was best known for her smoky, sensual voice. London was at her singing career's peak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than 35 years...
.
His grandson Todd Gershwin is a trustee of George and Ira's estate.
The birth order was: Ira
Ira Gershwin
Ira Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
, George
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, Arthur, then Frances Gershwin
Frances Gershwin
Frances "Frankie" Gershwin , was am American singer.She was born in Manhattan, New York, the younger sister of George, Ira and Arthur Gershwin. She was the first of the Gershwin family to perform as a child, and she brought home a good sum of money for the time.She married Leopold Godowsky, Jr...
.
Arthur said in a 1972 interview with Robert Kimball and Alfred Simon that when he was a child, he was George's pal and went around with him more than Ira did.
Frances said of Arthur that he played by ear and "his rhythm wasn't that great." She used to tease him. "He was really very funny - he was the funny one of the family ... a natural comedian." "When [the other brothers] introduced him, he would say, 'Yes, I'm the unknown Gershwin.' "
George wrote in one of his last letters to his mother (May 19, 1937), "How is brother Arthur these days? I am glad to hear that he is writing a lot of tunes and I hope that he can find a market for some of them."
Arthur is buried in Westchester Hills Cemetery
Westchester Hills Cemetery
The Westchester Hills Cemetery, approximately 20 miles north of New York City, was established at 400 Saw Mill River Road in Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York. It welcomes the burial of Christians and Jews, and many well-known entertainers and performers are interred there...
, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
External links
- Photograph of Arthur Gershwin http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SGNT1a7Mn_Q/S2DkjsBXiiI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ROTT-z7Ki-o/s1600/Arthur%2Bgershwin.gif
- Short obituary
