Bert Kalmar (February 10, 1884 – September 18, 1947) was an American songwriter. He was inducted into the

Songwriters Hall of Fame The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) is an American institution founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, music publisher/songwriter Abe Olman, and publisher/executive Howie Richmond to honor those whose work represent and maintain the heri ...

in 1970. He was also a screenwriter.

Biography

Kalmar, a native of

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, left school at an early age and began working in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

. 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.Kalmar profile
AllMusic.com. 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), husband of Belle Baker. 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 known for their anarchic humor, rapid-fire wordplay, and visual gags. They achieved success in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in 14 motion pictures. The core group consisted of brothers Chi ...

' stage production of '' Animal Crackers'' (1928) and subsequent film version. Their songs were also featured in the

' films '' Horse Feathers'' (1932), '' Duck Soup'' (1933) and '' A Night in Casablanca'' (1946). Kalmar's partnership with

Ruby Ruby is a pinkish-red-to-blood-red-colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum ( aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapph ...

was portrayed in the 1950

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, commonly shortened to MGM or MGM Studios) is an American Film production, film and television production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered ...

musical '' Three Little Words'', starring Fred Astaire and

Red Skelton Richard Bernard Skelton (July 18, 1913September 17, 1997) was an American entertainer best known for his national old-time radio, radio and television shows between 1937 and 1971, especially as host of the television program ''The Red Skelto ...

. 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 director in musical theater for nearly 40 years. He won eight Tony Awards and two Academy Award ...

, Ted Snyder 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 Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

on September 18, 1947 (aged 63). He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, Glendale ha ...

Works

Broadway *''

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' were a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1957. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as '' The Ziegfeld Foll ...

of 1920'' (1920) -

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatre, theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketch comedy, sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural pre ...

- 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 Jerome David Kern (January 27, 1885 – November 11, 1945) was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over ...

*'' 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'' (1943) - actor in the role of "Will Hughes" *'' Fosse'' (1999) - revue - featured lyricist for "Who's Sorry Now?" Notable songs *" Who's Sorry Now?" (1923), Kalmar and Ruby's first big hit *" I Wanna Be Loved by You" (1928), a hit for Helen Kane, known as the "Boop-boop-a-doop girl", and sung by

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe ( ; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 August 4, 1962) was an American actress and model. Known for playing comic "Blonde stereotype#Blonde bombshell, blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex ...

in the film ''

Some Like It Hot ''Some Like It Hot'' is a 1959 American crime comedy film directed, produced and co-written by Billy Wilder. It stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, with George Raft, Pat O'Brien (actor), Pat O'Brien, Joe E. Brown, Joan Shawlee an ...

'' *" Hooray for Captain Spaulding" from '' Animal Crackers'' (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, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...

and

Rudy Vallée Hubert Prior Vallée (July 28, 1901 – July 3, 1986), known professionally as Rudy Vallée, was an American singer, saxophonist, bandleader, actor, and entertainer. He was the first male singer to rise from local radio broadcasts in New York Ci ...

, later done by The Mills Brothers and

Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...

*"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, music by Ruby and Harry Akst, written for the Broadway show ''The Kid'', starring

Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Cantor was one of the prominent entertainers of his era. Some of h ...

*" A Kiss to Build a Dream On" (1935), their last hit *"Show Me a Rose" (1952), Groucho Marx recording *" The Real McCoys" (1957-1963), television theme (words & music by Harry Ruby)

References

External links

* *
Bert Kalmar at the Sheet Music Consortium
* * *
Bert Kalmar recordings
at the Discography of American Historical Recordings. {{DEFAULTSORT:Kalmar, Bert 1884 births 1947 deaths Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Jewish American songwriters Songs with lyrics by Bert Kalmar American vaudeville performers

Biography

Works

See also

References

External links