Harold Arlen
- Known For
- Sound
- Born
- February 15, 1905 in Buffalo, New York, USA
- Died
- April 23, 1986
- Active Years
- 1933–2007 (75 Years)
- Total Credits
- 49 credits in database
Biography
Harold Arlen was born on February 15, 1905, in Buffalo, New York, and died on April 23, 1986, at the age of 81. Credited in the sound department, Arlen is known for 43 known credits in the database. He grew up in a musical family with a father who was a cantor, and he dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a musician. He played piano and sang with a dance band named the Buffalodians, which enabled him to move from Buffalo to New York City. After attempts to conquer vaudeville and Broadway, he composed the tune for Get Happy with lyrics by Ted Koehler, marking his first hit. He subsequently served as the staff composer for Harlem's Cotton Club with Koehler.
Career overview
Harold Arlen was born in Buffalo, New York, on February 15, 1905. He grew up in a musical family with a father who was a cantor, and he eventually dropped out of high school to become a musician, which disappointed his parents. He began his career playing piano and singing with a dance band known as the Buffalodians, an opportunity that allowed him to escape Buffalo and move to New York City. Arlen remained in the city following the demise of the band.
After experiencing some mostly unsuccessful attempts to conquer vaudeville and Broadway, Arlen created a tune that would become his first hit, titled Get Happy, which featured lyrics by Ted Koehler. Following this success, Arlen and Koehler teamed up further, leading to Arlen becoming the staff composer for Harlem's Cotton Club, which served as a premiere showcase for African-American entertainers such as Cab Call.
Over the course of his career, Arlen amassed 43 known credits in the sound category. He passed away on April 23, 1986, at the age of 81.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
49 titles- Berlin Jazz Piano Workshop 1965 (2007) Original Music Composer
- The Wizard of Oz on Ice (1996) Songs
- The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True (1995) Songs
- I Could Go on Singing (1963) Songs
- Gay Purr-ee (1962) Songs
- Paris in the Springtime (1956) Songs
- Bloomer Girl (1956) Songs
- The Country Girl (1954) Songs
- A Star Is Born (1954) Original Music Composer
- Down Among the Sheltering Palms (1953) Songs
- The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953) Songs
- Mr. Imperium (1951) Songs
- Summer Stock (1950) Songs
- My Blue Heaven (1950) Songs
- The Petty Girl (1950) Songs
- Slightly French (1949) Songs
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Casbah (1948) Songs
- Casbah (1948) Original Music Composer
- Earl Carroll Sketchbook (1946) Songs
- Out of This World (1945) Songs
- Here Come the Waves (1944) Songs
- Kismet (1944) Songs
- Youth Runs Wild (1944) Songs
- Up in Arms (1944) Songs
- They Got Me Covered (1943) Original Music Composer
- The Sky's the Limit (1943) Original Music Composer
- The Sky's the Limit (1943) Songs
- Cabin in the Sky (1943) Songs
- Rio Rita (1942) Songs
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) Songs
- I Wake Up Screaming (1941) Additional Music
- Blues in the Night (1941) Songs
- Cavalcade of the Academy Awards (1940) as Self
- The Wizard of Oz (1939) Original Music Composer
- At the Circus (1939) Songs
- Love Affair (1939) Songs
- Artists & Models (1937) Songs
- Strike Me Pink (1936) Songs
- Gold Diggers of 1937 (1936) Songs
- The Singing Kid (1936) Songs
- The Singing Kid (1936) Lyricist
- The Singing Kid (1936) Music
- Stage Struck (1936) Songs
- Stage Struck (1936) Music
- Stage Struck (1936) Music Score Producer
- Splendor (1935) Songs
- Let's Fall in Love (1933) Songs
- Lydia Music
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Harold Arlen best known for?
Harold Arlen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including I Could Go on Singing (1963), Gay Purr-ee (1962), The Country Girl (1954), A Star Is Born (1954).
When and where was Harold Arlen born?
Harold Arlen was born on February 15, 1905 in Buffalo, New York, USA. They passed away on April 23, 1986.
How many credits does Harold Arlen have?
Harold Arlen has accumulated over 49 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1933 to 2007.
What is Harold Arlen's background in cinema and television?
Harold Arlen was born on February 15, 1905, in Buffalo, New York, and died on April 23, 1986, at the age of 81. Credited in the sound department, Arlen is known for 43 known credits in the database. He grew up in a musical family with a father who was a cantor, and he dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a ...
Harold Arlen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self — aged about 43
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