Henryk Wars
Encyclopedia
Henryk Wars (December 29, 1902, Warsaw
- September 1, 1977, USA) was a Polish
and later American pop music composer. He wrote the music for 50 films in the interwar period in Poland and sixty more in the United States. He wrote dozens of hits for the revue-theatres and films including Miłość ci wszystko wybaczy (Love Will Forgive You Everything) sung by Hanka Ordonówna, Umówiłem się z nią na dziewiatą (I Have A Date With Her At Nine) and Sex Appeal sung by Eugeniusz Bodo
, Ach, jak przyjemnie (Ah, How Lovely!) and Już nie zapomnisz mnie (Now, You Will Remember Me) sung by Aleksander Żabczyński
.
Wars was born to a musical family in the Russian partition of Poland
. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but soon obtained a scholarship to the Music Conservatory in Warsaw, where he finished in 1925, having studied composition with Professor Roman Statkowski
and Emil Młynarski. He was long-time music director for Syrena Rekord
. In 1927 he composed a song called New York Times ("I do nothing all day but read the New York Times"), sung in the theatre Karuzela (Merry-Go-Round) by Tadeusz Olsza
and recorded by Henryk Gold
's Orchestra for Syrena Rekord. His first big hit, though, was Zatańczmy tango (Let's Dance a Tango), composed in 1928 for Stanisława Nowicka
and Eugeniusz Bodo
. He was hired as a pianist for the Perskie Oko theater and joined Henryk Gold
's band.
During the 1930s, he wrote the songs for a string of musical comedies
in Poland
, and his importance there is comparable to that of Irving Berlin
in America. His melodies from this period (along with those of Jerzy Petersburski
and Zygmunt Wiehler
) are still quite popular in Poland today, and his most popular songs are often associated with pre-war Lwów. Recent recordings include Ach, śpij kochanie (Ah, sleep my darling) by Grzegorz Turnau
and others, as well as many performances of Tylko we Lwowie. In 2002 the song Umówiłem się z nią na dziewiątą (I have a date with her at nine) appeared in The Pianist
directed by Roman Polański
.
He composed his first film score for Na Sybir in 1930 after gaining renown as a conductor and performer at various Warsaw
cabarets and theaters including Morskie Oko, Hollywood, and Wielka Rewia. He wrote music for films: Paweł i Gaweł, Szpieg w masce (A Masked Spy), Piętro wyżej (Upstairs), and Zapomniana melodia (A Forgotten Tune). "He was a pioneer of swing music in Poland."
Shortly before the outbreak of World War II
Henryk Wars was drafted into the Polish Army and served in the defence of Poland in 1939
. He was taken prisoner of war
by the German army
but managed to escape from a stopped train. He organized the big band Tea-Jazz in Lwów in 1940, then under Soviet control. In late 1941, he and his musicians joined Polish II Corps
of General Anders as part of the Polska Parada cabaret. After being demobilized from the army, in 1947 he immigrated to the United States
.
In the USA he changed his named to Henry Vars and after a period of struggling and poverty, managed to resume his musical career. He was a friend of John Wayne. He scored sixty films; his songs were sung by Margaret Whiting
, Bing Crosby
, Doris Day
, Brenda Lee
and Dinah Shore
. He did the music and the song for the Flipper
movie and television series as well as Daktari
. He also wrote the music for the 1956 western film Gun the Man Down
.
He died in California.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
- September 1, 1977, USA) was a Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and later American pop music composer. He wrote the music for 50 films in the interwar period in Poland and sixty more in the United States. He wrote dozens of hits for the revue-theatres and films including Miłość ci wszystko wybaczy (Love Will Forgive You Everything) sung by Hanka Ordonówna, Umówiłem się z nią na dziewiatą (I Have A Date With Her At Nine) and Sex Appeal sung by Eugeniusz Bodo
Eugeniusz Bodo
Eugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
, Ach, jak przyjemnie (Ah, How Lovely!) and Już nie zapomnisz mnie (Now, You Will Remember Me) sung by Aleksander Żabczyński
Aleksander Zabczynski
Aleksander Żabczyński , was a Polish stage and movie actor, one of the most popular actors during the interwar period in Poland.-Filmography:* Czerwony błazen * Ziemia obiecana...
.
Wars was born to a musical family in the Russian partition of Poland
Partitions of Poland
The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, resulting in the elimination of sovereign Poland for 123 years...
. He began studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, but soon obtained a scholarship to the Music Conservatory in Warsaw, where he finished in 1925, having studied composition with Professor Roman Statkowski
Roman Statkowski
Roman Statkowski was a Polish composer, most notable for his operas and chamber music.-Early life:Statkowski was born in Szczypiorno, near Kalisz, and initially trained as a lawyer...
and Emil Młynarski. He was long-time music director for Syrena Rekord
Syrena Rekord
Syrena Record was a Polish record company.The company was established in 1904 by Juliusz Fejgenbaum. It took the name of Syrena Rekord in 1908. The company produced gramophone records till the invasion of Poland in 1939. The company's discography includes around 14,000 titles....
. In 1927 he composed a song called New York Times ("I do nothing all day but read the New York Times"), sung in the theatre Karuzela (Merry-Go-Round) by Tadeusz Olsza
Tadeusz Olsza
Tadeusz Olsza , born Tadeusz Blomberg, was a Polish film and stage actor, cabaret singer, dancer and director. From 1915 to 1917, he taught vocal classes at Warsaw Conservatory...
and recorded by Henryk Gold
Henryk Gold
Henryk Gold was a Polish Jewish composer, arranger, and orchestra director born in Warsaw to a musical family...
's Orchestra for Syrena Rekord. His first big hit, though, was Zatańczmy tango (Let's Dance a Tango), composed in 1928 for Stanisława Nowicka
Stanisława Nowicka
Stanisława Nowicka was a Polish dancer and singer born in Warsaw. She gave Jerzy Petersburski's famous Tango Milonga its debut in the Morskie Oko cabaret, 1929...
and Eugeniusz Bodo
Eugeniusz Bodo
Eugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
. He was hired as a pianist for the Perskie Oko theater and joined Henryk Gold
Henryk Gold
Henryk Gold was a Polish Jewish composer, arranger, and orchestra director born in Warsaw to a musical family...
's band.
During the 1930s, he wrote the songs for a string of musical comedies
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and his importance there is comparable to that of Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
in America. His melodies from this period (along with those of Jerzy Petersburski
Jerzy Petersburski
Jerzy Petersburski was a Polish pianist and composer of popular music, renowned mostly for his Tangos, some of which were milestones in popularization of the musical genre in Poland and are still widely known today, more than half a century after their creation.Jerzy Petersburski was born April...
and Zygmunt Wiehler
Zygmunt Wiehler
Zygmunt Wiehler was a Polish popular and film music composer and director.Wiehler attended the Music Conservatory in Kraków...
) are still quite popular in Poland today, and his most popular songs are often associated with pre-war Lwów. Recent recordings include Ach, śpij kochanie (Ah, sleep my darling) by Grzegorz Turnau
Grzegorz Turnau
Grzegorz Turnau is a Polish composer, pianist, poet and singer.He was born on 31 July 1967 in Kraków, Poland. At age seventeen he won First Prize at The Student Song Festival in Kraków in 1984...
and others, as well as many performances of Tylko we Lwowie. In 2002 the song Umówiłem się z nią na dziewiątą (I have a date with her at nine) appeared in The Pianist
The Pianist (2002 film)
The Pianist is a 2002 biographical war film directed by Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody. It is an adaptation of the autobiography of the same name by Jewish-Polish musician Władysław Szpilman...
directed by Roman Polański
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
.
He composed his first film score for Na Sybir in 1930 after gaining renown as a conductor and performer at various Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
cabarets and theaters including Morskie Oko, Hollywood, and Wielka Rewia. He wrote music for films: Paweł i Gaweł, Szpieg w masce (A Masked Spy), Piętro wyżej (Upstairs), and Zapomniana melodia (A Forgotten Tune). "He was a pioneer of swing music in Poland."
Shortly before the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Henryk Wars was drafted into the Polish Army and served in the defence of Poland in 1939
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
. He was taken prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
by the German army
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
but managed to escape from a stopped train. He organized the big band Tea-Jazz in Lwów in 1940, then under Soviet control. In late 1941, he and his musicians joined Polish II Corps
Polish II Corps
Polish II Corps , 1943–1947, was a major tactical and operational unit of the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. It was commanded by Lieutenant General Władysław Anders and by the end of 1945 it had grown to well over 100,000 soldiers....
of General Anders as part of the Polska Parada cabaret. After being demobilized from the army, in 1947 he immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In the USA he changed his named to Henry Vars and after a period of struggling and poverty, managed to resume his musical career. He was a friend of John Wayne. He scored sixty films; his songs were sung by Margaret Whiting
Margaret Whiting
Margaret Whiting was a singer of American popular music and country music who first made her reputation during the 1940s and 1950s.-Youth:...
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
, Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
and Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality...
. He did the music and the song for the Flipper
Flipper (1964 TV series)
Flipper, from Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, is an American television program first broadcast on NBC from September 19, 1964, until April 15, 1967. Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin, is the companion animal of Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at fictional Coral Key Park...
movie and television series as well as Daktari
Daktari
Daktari is an American children's drama series that aired on CBS between 1966 and 1969. The series, an Ivan Tors Films Production in association with MGM Television, stars Marshall Thompson as Dr. Marsh Tracy, a veterinarian at the fictional Wameru Study Centre for Animal Behaviour in East...
. He also wrote the music for the 1956 western film Gun the Man Down
Gun the Man Down
Gun the Man Down is a 1956 western film distributed through United Artists and starring James Arness and Angie Dickinson in her first leading role. The movie was produced by John Wayne and his brother Robert E. Morrison for Wayne's company Batjac Productions and was also the first theatrical...
.
He died in California.
Pre-World War II songs by Henryk Wars
- A mnie w to graj (words by Jerzy JurandotJerzy JurandotJerzy Jurandot, born Jerzy Glejgewicht , Polish poet, dramatist, satirist and songwriter....
, movie Bolek i Lolek, sung by Adolf Dymsza) - A u mnie siup, a u mnie cyk (words by Emanuel Szlechter, sung by Adolf Dymsza)
- Ach, jak przyjemnie (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Zapomniana melodia from 1938, sung by Adam AstonAdam AstonAdam Aston Adam Aston Adam Aston (Adam Wiński, born Adolf Loewinsohn, aka Adam Stanisław Lewinson, recorded also under names J. Kierski, Adam Winski and Ben-Levi, born 1902 in Warsaw, Poland, died 1993 in London. Polish Jewish singer, actor and pianist, worked often with Henryk Wars....
, later by Irena SantorIrena SantorIrena Santor is a retired Polish singer. She was a very popular and prolific in her youth. She spent the first years of her life in Solec Kujawski....
) - Ach, śpij kochanieAch, spij kochanieAch, śpij kochanie - is a popular Polish lullaby. It was written in 1938 by Henryk Wars and Ludwik Starski.The song was first performed in Poland by Adolf Dymsza and Eugeniusz Bodo in the 1938 movie Paweł i Gaweł.-External links:...
(words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Paweł i Gaweł from 1938, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
and Adolf Dymsza) - Będzie lepiej (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Będzie lepiej from 1936)
- Dobranoc, oczka zmruż (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Włóczęgi from 1939, sung by SzczepkoKazimierz WajdaKazimierz Wajda , stage name Szczepko, was a Polish actor, comedian. He worked and lived in prewar Polish Lwów . Together with Henryk Vogelfänger he was a star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland and abroad. Three movies were made also, along with...
and TońkoHenryk VogelfängerHenryk Vogelfänger , stage name Tońko, was a Polish actor. He worked and lived in prewar Lwów . Together with Kazimierz Wajda he was the star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland.-Filmography:-External links:...
, also known as Kołysanka Tońka) - Jak pani się ten pan podoba (words by Andrzej WłastAndrzej WłastAndrzej Włast was a Polish Jewish songwriter. He wrote the lyrics for the 1929 hit song "Tango Milonga". He died in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.-Biography:...
, sung by Krystyna Paczewska) - Jak za dawnych lat (words by Andrzej WłastAndrzej WłastAndrzej Włast was a Polish Jewish songwriter. He wrote the lyrics for the 1929 hit song "Tango Milonga". He died in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.-Biography:...
or Jerzy JurandotJerzy JurandotJerzy Jurandot, born Jerzy Glejgewicht , Polish poet, dramatist, satirist and songwriter....
, sung by Stefan Witas) - Już nie mogę dłużej kryć (words by Jerzy JurandotJerzy JurandotJerzy Jurandot, born Jerzy Glejgewicht , Polish poet, dramatist, satirist and songwriter....
, movie Pani minister tańczy from 1937, sung by Tola Mankiewiczówna and Aleksander ŻabczyńskiAleksander ZabczynskiAleksander Żabczyński , was a Polish stage and movie actor, one of the most popular actors during the interwar period in Poland.-Filmography:* Czerwony błazen * Ziemia obiecana...
) - Już nie zapomnisz mnie (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Zapomniana melodia from 1938, sung by Aleksander ŻabczyńskiAleksander ZabczynskiAleksander Żabczyński , was a Polish stage and movie actor, one of the most popular actors during the interwar period in Poland.-Filmography:* Czerwony błazen * Ziemia obiecana...
) - Już taki jestem zimny drań (words by Jerzy Nel and Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Pieśniarz Warszawy from 1934, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - Kocha, lubi, szanuje (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
, Emanuel Szlechter, movie Kocha, lubi, szanuje, sung by Mieczysław FoggMieczyslaw FoggMieczysław Fogg , was a very popular Polish singer of the twentieth century. His popularity started well before World War II and continued well into the 1980s. He had a characteristic way of staying very serious yet slightly emotional on stage when singing. He can be compared to French Tino Rossi...
, later by Irena SantorIrena SantorIrena Santor is a retired Polish singer. She was a very popular and prolific in her youth. She spent the first years of her life in Solec Kujawski....
) - Kocham (words by J. Roland, movie Bezimienni bohaterowie from 1931)
- Maleńka Jenny (words by J. Roland, movie: Głos pustyni from 1932, sung by Mieczysław FoggMieczyslaw FoggMieczysław Fogg , was a very popular Polish singer of the twentieth century. His popularity started well before World War II and continued well into the 1980s. He had a characteristic way of staying very serious yet slightly emotional on stage when singing. He can be compared to French Tino Rossi...
) - Miłość ci wszystko wybaczy (words by Julian TuwimJulian TuwimJulian Tuwim , sometimes used pseudonym "Oldlen" when writing song lyrics. He was a Polish poet, born in Łódź, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, of Jewish parents, and educated in Łódź and Warsaw where he studied law and philosophy at Warsaw University...
, movie Szpieg w masce from 1933, sung by Hanka Ordonówna) - My dwaj, obacwaj (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Będzie lepiej from 1936, sung by SzczepkoKazimierz WajdaKazimierz Wajda , stage name Szczepko, was a Polish actor, comedian. He worked and lived in prewar Polish Lwów . Together with Henryk Vogelfänger he was a star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland and abroad. Three movies were made also, along with...
and TońkoHenryk VogelfängerHenryk Vogelfänger , stage name Tońko, was a Polish actor. He worked and lived in prewar Lwów . Together with Kazimierz Wajda he was the star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland.-Filmography:-External links:...
) - Na cześć młodości (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Sportowiec mimo woli from 1939) - Na pierwszy znak (words by Julian TuwimJulian TuwimJulian Tuwim , sometimes used pseudonym "Oldlen" when writing song lyrics. He was a Polish poet, born in Łódź, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, of Jewish parents, and educated in Łódź and Warsaw where he studied law and philosophy at Warsaw University...
, movie Szpieg w masce from 1933, sung by Hanka Ordonówna) - New York Times (from 1928, sung by Tadeusz Olsza and Eugeniusz Koszutski)
- Nic o Tobie nie wiem (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
and Emanuel Szlechter, movie Włóczęgi from 1939, sung by Andrzej Bogucki and Zbyszko Runowiecki) - Nic takiego (words by Marian HemarMarian HemarMarian Hemar , born Jan Maria Hescheles, also Jan Mariański , Marian Wallenrod, was a Polish Jewish poet, journalist, playwright, comedy writer, and songwriter: he himself said that before the outbreak of World War II he had written 1200 songs including hits like Może kiedyś innym razem and Upić...
, movie ABC miłości from 1935, sung by Kazimierz KrukowskiKazimierz KrukowskiKazimierz Krukowski born 1901 Lodz, died 1984 in Warsaw, stage name Lopek, was a Jewish cabaret performer and writer, revue and film actor, Master of Ceremonies...
and Adolf Dymsza) - O, Key (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
and Emanuel Szlechter, movie Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna from 1934, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
and Jadwiga Smosarska) - On nie powróci już (words by Andrzej WłastAndrzej WłastAndrzej Włast was a Polish Jewish songwriter. He wrote the lyrics for the 1929 hit song "Tango Milonga". He died in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.-Biography:...
, sung by Chór Dana) - Panie Janie w stylu jazz (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
, movie Zapomniana melodia from 1938) - Piosenka o zagubionym sercu (words by A. M. Świniarski, movie Pan minister i dessous, sung by Hanka Ordonówna)
- Płomienne serca (words by Marian HemarMarian HemarMarian Hemar , born Jan Maria Hescheles, also Jan Mariański , Marian Wallenrod, was a Polish Jewish poet, journalist, playwright, comedy writer, and songwriter: he himself said that before the outbreak of World War II he had written 1200 songs including hits like Może kiedyś innym razem and Upić...
, movie Na Sybir from 1930, sung by Tadeusz FaliszewskiTadeusz FaliszewskiTadeusz Faliszewski , Polish singer, cabaret actor, director of revues and operettas. Husband of actress Halina Kidawskiej. Spent his childhood in Lviv. Served in the army in World War II. Made his debut as actor in 1922, played in Cracow, Radom, Kalisz, and Czestochowa...
) - Reformy pani minister (words by Jerzy JurandotJerzy JurandotJerzy Jurandot, born Jerzy Glejgewicht , Polish poet, dramatist, satirist and songwriter....
, movie Pani minister tańczy from 1937, sung by Tola Mankiewiczówna) - Serce Batiara (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Serce Batiara for 1939 release, but all copies lost)
- Sexapil (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Piętro wyżej from 1937, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - Szczęście raz się uśmiecha (words by Julian TuwimJulian TuwimJulian Tuwim , sometimes used pseudonym "Oldlen" when writing song lyrics. He was a Polish poet, born in Łódź, Congress Poland, Russian Empire, of Jewish parents, and educated in Łódź and Warsaw where he studied law and philosophy at Warsaw University...
, movie Pan minister i dessous, sung by Hanka Ordonówna) - Tak cudnie mi (words by Jerzy JurandotJerzy JurandotJerzy Jurandot, born Jerzy Glejgewicht , Polish poet, dramatist, satirist and songwriter....
, movie Pani minister tańczy from 1937, sung by Tola Mankiewiczówna and Aleksander ŻabczyńskiAleksander ZabczynskiAleksander Żabczyński , was a Polish stage and movie actor, one of the most popular actors during the interwar period in Poland.-Filmography:* Czerwony błazen * Ziemia obiecana...
) - Tyle miłości (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
, movie Jego ekscelencja subiekt from 1933, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - Tylko Ty (words by Aleksander Jellyn)
- Tylko we Lwowie (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Włóczęgi from 1939, sung by SzczepcioKazimierz WajdaKazimierz Wajda , stage name Szczepko, was a Polish actor, comedian. He worked and lived in prewar Polish Lwów . Together with Henryk Vogelfänger he was a star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland and abroad. Three movies were made also, along with...
and TońkoHenryk VogelfängerHenryk Vogelfänger , stage name Tońko, was a Polish actor. He worked and lived in prewar Lwów . Together with Kazimierz Wajda he was the star of the radio comedy duo "Szczepko and Tońko", which was widely popular in Poland.-Filmography:-External links:...
) - Tylko z Tobą i dla Ciebie (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
and Jerzy Nel, movie Pieśniarz Warszawy from 1934, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - Umówiłem się z nią na dziewiątą (words by Emanuel Szlechter, movie Piętro wyżej from 1937, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - W hawajską noc (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
and Emanuel Szlechter, movie Czarna perła, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
and later by Irena SantorIrena SantorIrena Santor is a retired Polish singer. She was a very popular and prolific in her youth. She spent the first years of her life in Solec Kujawski....
) - Zakochany złodziej (words by Emanuel Szlechter and Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
) - Zapomnisz o mnie (words by Andrzej WłastAndrzej WłastAndrzej Włast was a Polish Jewish songwriter. He wrote the lyrics for the 1929 hit song "Tango Milonga". He died in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.-Biography:...
, sung by Tadeusz FaliszewskiTadeusz FaliszewskiTadeusz Faliszewski , Polish singer, cabaret actor, director of revues and operettas. Husband of actress Halina Kidawskiej. Spent his childhood in Lviv. Served in the army in World War II. Made his debut as actor in 1922, played in Cracow, Radom, Kalisz, and Czestochowa...
) - Zatańczmy tango (words by Andrzej WłastAndrzej WłastAndrzej Włast was a Polish Jewish songwriter. He wrote the lyrics for the 1929 hit song "Tango Milonga". He died in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.-Biography:...
) - Złociste włoski (words by Konrad TomKonrad TomKonrad Tom , born Konrad Runowiecki, a Polish Jewish actor, writer, singer and director, born in Warsaw. Wrote song lyrics in Polish and in Yiddish for stage, film and cabaret, including szmonces. His wife was actress Zula Pogorzelska....
, movie Jego ekscelencja subiekt from 1933, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
) - Zrób to tak (words by Ludwik StarskiLudwik StarskiLudwik Starski was a well-known Polish Jewish lyricist, sound engineer and screenwriter of the twentieth century. He was the father of the cinematographer Allan Starski, who often worked with movie director Andrzej Wajda...
and Jerzy Nel, movie Pieśniarz Warszawy, sung by Eugeniusz BodoEugeniusz BodoEugeniusz Bodo was a film director, producer and one of the most popular Polish actors and comedians of the inter-war period. He starred in some of the most popular Polish film productions of the 1930s, including His Excellency, The Shop Assistant, Czy Lucyna to dziewczyna? and Pieśniarz Warszawy...
)
Wartime songs by Henryk Wars
From Piosenki z plecaka Helenki. See external link below.- Polacy, do broni
- Może dzień ... może rok
- Po mlecznej drodze
- Ochotniczki
- Malowane usta
- Za pięć dwunasta
- Gdzie najlepiej
- Ochotniczka Helenka
External links
- Takie coś lyrics by Emanuel SchlechterEmanuel SchlechterSchlechter, Emanuel was a Polish-Jewish artist.Schlechter was born and died in Lviv. He was a Polish Jewish lyricist, librettist, writer, satirist, translator, composer and director. He studied at the Faculty of Law of the Jan Kazimierz University in Lvov and worked briefly at a law firm...
, sung by Tadeusz OlszaTadeusz OlszaTadeusz Olsza , born Tadeusz Blomberg, was a Polish film and stage actor, cabaret singer, dancer and director. From 1915 to 1917, he taught vocal classes at Warsaw Conservatory... - Lwowskie Piosenki, Lyrics in PolishPolish languagePolish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
with Lwów accent for Dobranoc, oczka zmruż, Serce batiara, My dwaj, obacwaj, and Tylko we Lwowie. Any actual performance may vary significantly from these words. - Piosenki z plecaka Helenki, book by Feliks KonarskiFeliks KonarskiFeliks Konarski was a Polish poet, songwriter, and cabaret performer.-Early life:...
(alias REF-REN), Rome, 1946; in PolishPolish languagePolish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
. - "Film Scores of Henry Vars in the United States: An Overview" by Linda Schubert in Polish Music Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1.
- Szwajcarski paszport na Sybir, "Swiss passport to Siberia" by Diana Poskuta-Włodek in Nowy Dziennik, New York, 23 July 2004; in PolishPolish languagePolish is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland and by Polish minorities in other countries...
.