Harold R. Atteridge
Encyclopedia
Harold Richard Atteridge (July 9, 1886 – 1938) was a composer
, librettist and lyricist
primarily for musicals and revues. He wrote the book and lyrics for over 20 musicals and revues for the Shuberts, including several iterations of The Passing Show
.
, the only child of Richard H. Atteridge and Ann T. O'Neill. He attended North Division High School, followed by college at the University of Chicago
, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi
fraternity. In 1907 he wrote the Varsity show for the Black Friar's Club, and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. His obituary quoted him on experience: "If my success at this work illustrates anything it marks the importance of making an early start at one's profession. ... All during college I was developing a revue and musical show technique in my work for a college organization called the Black Friars. By the time I received my Bachelor of Philosophy degree I was a fairly proficient librettist."
His professional career began in Chicago
as a lyricist for a music publishing firm. He first gained attention by writing the lyrics for two songs in the Chicago production of Madame Sherry. Producer George Lederer
showed enthusiasm and advised Atteridge to move to New York. He did so in September 1910. He met with Jesse Louis Lasky who engaged him for a show at the New York Follies Bergere. When that venue closed, and with a letter of introduction to J. J. Shubert
, Atteridge auditioned some of his songs and was engaged to write for the Shuberts' productions. Over the next two decades, he wrote dozens of shows, often writing both book and lyrics, for Broadway, including many starring Al Jolson
, and several reviews in the successful series called The Passing Show
.
Atteridge married his first wife, Laura, in 1912. He married his second wife, Mary Teresa Corless, on May 1, 1923.
By 1930 he was working in Hollywood, writing film continuities. Later he wrote radio continuities for Al Jolson
and Ed Wynn
.
Atteridge died on January 15, 1938 of cirrhosis of the liver in Lynbrook, New York
. He was survived by his wife.
Recalling the composition of one of the songs for which he is best known, he said, "Coming downtown on the subway the other evening I scribbled on the back of an envelope the lyrics of a one-step, 'By the Beautiful Sea,' and handed them that night to Harry Carroll
. ... Carroll immediately wrote a melody for the words and now the tune is proving a favorite at local dance palaces, cabarets, and restaurants. Which goes to show that one can accomplish things of real value during otherwise idle moments."
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, librettist and lyricist
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
primarily for musicals and revues. He wrote the book and lyrics for over 20 musicals and revues for the Shuberts, including several iterations of The Passing Show
The Passing Show
The Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
.
Biography
Atteridge was born in Lake Forest, IllinoisLake Forest, Illinois
Lake Forest is an affluent city located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. The city is south of Waukegan along the shore of Lake Michigan, and is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the North Shore. Lake Forest was founded around Lake Forest College and was laid out as a town in...
, the only child of Richard H. Atteridge and Ann T. O'Neill. He attended North Division High School, followed by college at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1852. There are over a hundred chapters and colonies at accredited four year colleges and universities throughout the United States. More than 112,000 men have been...
fraternity. In 1907 he wrote the Varsity show for the Black Friar's Club, and graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. His obituary quoted him on experience: "If my success at this work illustrates anything it marks the importance of making an early start at one's profession. ... All during college I was developing a revue and musical show technique in my work for a college organization called the Black Friars. By the time I received my Bachelor of Philosophy degree I was a fairly proficient librettist."
His professional career began in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
as a lyricist for a music publishing firm. He first gained attention by writing the lyrics for two songs in the Chicago production of Madame Sherry. Producer George Lederer
George Lederer
George Lederer was an American producer and director on Broadway from 1894 to 1931. He was the husband of Reine Davies and father of Charles Lederer and Pepi Lederer....
showed enthusiasm and advised Atteridge to move to New York. He did so in September 1910. He met with Jesse Louis Lasky who engaged him for a show at the New York Follies Bergere. When that venue closed, and with a letter of introduction to J. J. Shubert
Jacob J. Shubert
Jacob J. Shubert was naturalized American theatre owner/operator and producer and a member of the famous theatrical Shubert family....
, Atteridge auditioned some of his songs and was engaged to write for the Shuberts' productions. Over the next two decades, he wrote dozens of shows, often writing both book and lyrics, for Broadway, including many starring Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
, and several reviews in the successful series called The Passing Show
The Passing Show
The Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
.
Atteridge married his first wife, Laura, in 1912. He married his second wife, Mary Teresa Corless, on May 1, 1923.
By 1930 he was working in Hollywood, writing film continuities. Later he wrote radio continuities for Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
and Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn
Ed Wynn was a popular American comedian and actor noted for his Perfect Fool comedy character, his pioneering radio show of the 1930s, and his later career as a dramatic actor....
.
Atteridge died on January 15, 1938 of cirrhosis of the liver in Lynbrook, New York
Lynbrook, New York
Lynbrook is a village in Nassau County, New York, USA. The population was 19,427 at the 2010 census. The Village of Lynbrook is inside the Town of Hempstead. The Village of Lynbrook's current mayor is William Hendrick....
. He was survived by his wife.
Working methods
In published interviews, Atteridge spoke of the process of writing a revue.Recalling the composition of one of the songs for which he is best known, he said, "Coming downtown on the subway the other evening I scribbled on the back of an envelope the lyrics of a one-step, 'By the Beautiful Sea,' and handed them that night to Harry Carroll
Harry Carroll
Harry Carroll, a famous American songwriter, pianist and composer, was born on November 28, 1892, in Atlantic City, New Jersey and died December 26, 1962, in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. He taught himself how to play the piano and began playing in movie houses before he finished grade school...
. ... Carroll immediately wrote a melody for the words and now the tune is proving a favorite at local dance palaces, cabarets, and restaurants. Which goes to show that one can accomplish things of real value during otherwise idle moments."
Stage works for Broadway
- The OrchidThe OrchidThe Orchid is a musical play in two acts by James T. Tanner, with lyrics by Adrian Ross and Percy Greenbank and music by Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton and additional numbers by Paul Rubens. It opened at Gaiety Theatre in London on 26 October 1903 and ran for 559 performances. It starred Gertie...
(1907) additional lyrics contributed for Broadway production - Madame Sherry (1910) lyrics
- The Happiest Night of His Life (1911) lyrics
- Vera Violetta (1911) book and lyrics
- A Night with the Pierrots / Sesostra / The Whirl of Society (1912) lyrics
- Two Little Brides (1912) lyrics
- (From) Broadway to Paris (1912) book and lyrics
- The Man with Three Wives (1913) book and lyrics
- The Honeymoon Express (1913) lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1913 (1913) book and lyrics - The Whirl of the World (1914) book and lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1914 (1914) book and lyrics - Dancing Around (1914) book and lyrics
- Maid in America (1915) book and lyrics
- The Peasant Girl (1915) lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1915 (1915) book and lyrics - Hands Up (1915) additional lyrics
- The Blue ParadiseThe Blue ParadiseThe Blue Paradise is a musical with music by Edmund Eysler and Sigmund Romberg, lyrics by Herbert Reynolds, and a book by Edgar Smith, based on the operetta Ein Tag im Paradies by Eysler with original text by Leo Stein and Bela Jenbach. The story is set in a Viennese cafe, where a man realizes...
(1915) additional lyrics - A World of Pleasure (1915) book and lyrics
- Ruggles of Red Gap (1915) lyrics
- Robinson Crusoe, Jr.Robinson Crusoe, Jr.Robinson Crusoe, Jr. is a Broadway musical with a book by Edgar Smith, lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge, and music by Sigmund Romberg and James Hanley....
(1916) lyrics - The Passing Show of 1916The Passing Show of 1916The Passing Show of 1916 is a revue featuring the music of Sigmund Romberg and Otto Motzan, with book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge. It included the first George Gershwin songs introduced in a Broadway show....
(1916) book and lyrics - The Show of Wonders (1916) book and lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1917 (1917) book and lyrics - Doing Our Bit (1917) book and lyrics
- Over the Top (1917) book
- SinbadSinbad (musical)Sinbad is a Broadway musical with a book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge and music by Sigmund Romberg, Al Jolson and others.Produced by Lee Shubert and J. J. Shubert, the Broadway production, staged by J. C. Huffman and J. J. Shubert, opened on February 14, 1918 at the Winter Garden Theatre,...
(1918) book and lyrics - Follow the Girl (1918) additional lyrics
- The Passing Show of 1918The Passing Show of 1918The Passing Show of 1918 is a Broadway musical revue featuring music of Sigmund Romberg and Jean Schwartz , with book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge. The show introduced the hit songs "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and "Smiles"....
(1918) book and lyrics - Monte Cristo, Jr. (1919) book and lyrics
- Shubert Gaieties of 1919 (1919) book
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1919 (1919) book and lyrics - The Little Blue Devil (1919) book and lyrics
- Cinderella on Broadway (1920) book and lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1921 (1920) book and lyrics - The Midnight Rounders of 1921 (1921) book
- The Last Waltz (1921) book and lyrics (English version)
- The Mimic World (1921) book and lyrics
- BomboBombo (musical)Bombo is a Broadway musical with a book and lyrics by Harold R. Atteridge and music by Sigmund Romberg.Produced by Lee Shubert and J. J. Shubert, the Broadway production, staged by J. C. Huffman, opened on October 6, 1921 at the Jolson Theatre, where it ran for 219 performances...
(1921) book and lyrics - The Rose of Stamboul (1922) book and lyrics
- Make It Snappy (1922) book and lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1922 (1922) book and lyrics - The Dancing Girl (1923) book and lyrics
- The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1923 (1923) book and lyrics - Topics of 1923 (1923) book and lyrics
- Innocent Eyes (1924) book and lyrics
- Marjorie (1924) book and lyrics
- The Dream GirlThe Dream GirlThe Dream Girl is an operetta in three acts with music by Victor Herbert and book by Rida Johnson Young and Harold R. Atteridge. It is based on the 1906 play The Road to Yesterday by Beulah Marie Dix and Evelyn Greenleaf Sutherland. Additional music was written by Sigmund Romberg...
(1924) book and additional lyrics - The Passing ShowThe Passing ShowThe Passing Show was a musical revue in three acts, billed as a "topical extravaganza", with a book and lyrics by Sydney Rosenfeld and music by Ludwig Engländer and various other composers. It featured spoofs of theatrical productions of the past season. The show was presented in 1894 by George...
of 1924 (1924) book and lyrics - Big Boy (1925) book
- Sky High (1925) book and lyrics
- Artists and Models (1925) book
- Gay Paree (1925) book and additional lyrics
- A Night in Paris (1926) book
- The Great Temptations (1926) book
- A Night in Spain (1927) book
- Ziegfeld FolliesZiegfeld FolliesThe Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
of 1927 (1927) book - The Greenwich Village Follies (1928) book, additional lyrics
- Pleasure Bound (1929) book and lyrics
- Thumbs Up! (1934) book
Film work
- The Ladies Man (1928) story
- Her Golden Calf (1930) dialogue
- Big Boy (1930) play
- Poppin' the Cork (1933) dialogue