Harry Rubenstein (January 27, 1895 – February 23, 1974), known professionally as Harry Ruby, was an American pianist, composer, songwriter and screenwriter, who 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.Harry Ruby biography
, Songwritershalloffame.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013. He was married to

silent film A silent film is a film without synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

actress Eileen Percy.

Biography

Ruby was born in

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 ...

in 1895. After failing at his early ambition to become a professional baseball player, he toured the

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 ...

circuit as a pianist with the Bootblack Trio and the Messenger Boys Trio. In his early career worked as a pianist and song plugger for the Gus Edwards and

Harry Von Tilzer Harry Von Tilzer (born Aaron Gumbinsky, also known as Harry Gumm; 8 July 1872 – 10 January 1946) was an American composer, songwriter, publisher and vaudeville performer. Early life Von Tilzer was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, Sarah ...

publishing firms (one of his co-workers at Edwards' place was the young

Walter Winchell Walter Winchell (April 7, 1897 – February 20, 1972) was a syndicated American newspaper gossip columnist and radio news commentator. Originally a vaudeville performer, Winchell began his newspaper career as a Broadway reporter, critic and c ...

, who was also a song plugger). Ruby also played in vaudeville acts, nickelodeons and cafes throughout New York. From 1917-1920, Ruby collaborated with songwriters Edgar Leslie, Sam Lewis, Joe Young and George Jessel on the hit songs “What’ll We Do Saturday Night When the Town Goes Dry”, “When Those Sweet Hawaiian Babies Roll Their Eyes”, “ Come on Papa”, “Daddy Long Legs” and “ And He’d Say Oo-La-La Wee Wee.” Ruby found his most sustained success as a composer after meeting the man who would become his longtime partner, lyricist

Bert Kalmar Bert Kalmar (February 10, 1884 – September 18, 1947) was an American songwriter. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. He was also a screenwriter. Biography Kalmar, a native of New York City, left school at an early age an ...

. Kalmar and Ruby were a successful songwriting team for nearly three decades until Kalmar's death in 1947, a partnership portrayed in the 1950

MGM 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 Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...

as Kalmar 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 ...

as Ruby.Harry Ruby song catalog
, Songwritershalloffame.org. Retrieved April 29, 2013. A good friend of

Groucho Marx Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He is considered one of America's greatest comed ...

, Ruby appeared several times on his television program, '' You Bet Your Life''. In his 1972 concert at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhattan), 57t ...

, Marx gave the following introduction before performing a song of Ruby's: "I have a friend in Hollywood ... I think I do, I'm not so sure. aughterHis name is Harry Ruby pplauseand he wrote a lot of songs that I've sung over the years ..." : : Today, Father, is Father's Day : And we're giving you a tie : It's not much we know : It is just our way of showing you : We think you're a regular guy : You say that it was nice of us to bother : But it really was a pleasure to fuss : For according to our mother : You're our father : And that's good enough for us : Yes, that's good enough for us In ''

The Dick Cavett Show ''The Dick Cavett Show'' is the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks, including: * ABC daytime, (March 4, 1968 – January 24, 1969) originally titled ''This Morning'' * ABC prime time, Tuesday ...

'', recorded June 13, 1969, Marx also sang a second stanza, and introduced it with, "Isn't that a beautiful melody? And a beautiful sentiment: ... Today, father, is father's day. ... 16 men in that orchestra: nine of them are illegitimate children aughter Nine and a half including the director." : The tie that you got : Didn't cost such a lot : And we'll give you the same tie next year. : You tell us it was nice of us to bother : But it really was a pleasure to fuss : For they say, a child can only have one father : And you are the one for us. : And you are the one for us.

Works

Selected film scores Harry Ruby filmography
''IMDb.com''. Retrieved: April 29, 2013. * '' Animal Crackers'' (1930) * '' Horse Feathers'' (1932) * '' Duck Soup'' (1933) * '' Bright Lights'' (1935) * '' Walking on Air'' (1936) * ''Wake Up and Dream'' (1946) * '' Three Little Words'' (1950) Selected screenplays * '' The Kid from Spain'' (1932) * ''Horse Feathers'' (1932) * ''Duck Soup'' (1933) * ''Bright Lights'' (1935) * ''Walking on Air'' (1936) * '' The Life of the Party'' (1937) * ''

Lovely to Look At ''Lovely to Look At'' is a 1952 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, based on the 1933 Broadway musical ''Roberta''. Plot Broadway producers Al Marsh, Tony Naylor, and Jerry Ralby are desperately searching for invest ...

'' (1952) Selected Broadway scores Harry Ruby stage scores
''IBDb.com''. Retrieved: April 29, 2013. * ''

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 1918'' (1918) -

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 songwriter * ''Helen of Troy, New York'' (1923) -

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...

- co-

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

and co-

lyricist A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment. Royalties A lyricist's income derives ...

* ''No Other Girl'' (1924) - musical - co-composer and co-lyricist * ''Holka Polka'' (1925) - musical - co-

book A book is a structured presentation of recorded information, primarily verbal and graphical, through a medium. Originally physical, electronic books and audiobooks are now existent. Physical books are objects that contain printed material, ...

editor Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, a ...

* ''The Ramblers'' (1926) - musical - co-composer, co-lyricist and co-bookwriter * ''Lucky'' (1927) - musical - co-bookwriter * '' The Five O'Clock Girl'' (1927) - musical - composer * ''She's My Baby'' (1928) - musical - co-bookwriter * ''Good Boy'' (1928) - musical - co-composer and co-lyricist * '' Animal Crackers'' (1928) - musical - co-composer and co-lyricist * '' Top Speed'' (1929) - musical - co- producer and co-bookwriter * ''High Kickers'' (1941) - musical - co-composer, co-lyricist and co-bookwriter * '' Fosse'' (1998) - revue - featured songwriter for " Who's Sorry Now?" from '' All That Jazz'' 1979 Notable songs *"Rebecca Came Back From Mecca" (1921) *"The Sheik of Avenue B" (1922) *" Who's Sorry Now?" (1923), Kalmar and Ruby's first big hit *"

I Wanna Be Loved by You "I Wanna Be Loved by You" is a song written by Herbert Stothart and Harry Ruby, with lyrics by Bert Kalmar, for the 1928 musical ''Good Boy''. It was first performed on September 5, 1928, by Helen Kane, who was the inspiration for the cartoon ...

" (1928), a hit for

Helen Kane Helen Kane (born Helen Clare Schroeder, August 4, 1904 – September 26, 1966) was an American singer and actress. Her signature song was " I Wanna Be Loved by You" (1928), featured in the 1928 stage musical ''Good Boy''. The song was written for ...

, 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 "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" is a song composed by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, originally from the 1928 Marx Brothers Broadway musical '' Animal Crackers'' and the 1930 film version. It later became well known as the theme song for the Grou ...

" 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

Jack Denny Jack Denny (September 25, 1895 – September 15, 1950) was an American dance band leader during the pre-World War II years. He was born in the United States and started his musical career in Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebe ...

(vocal by Bob May) that year, later done by

The Mills Brothers The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed The Four Mills Brothers and originally known as Four Boys and a Guitar, were an American jazz and traditional pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and g ...

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 Selected bibliography *''The Kalmar-Ruby Song Book''

Random House Random House is an imprint and publishing group of Penguin Random House. Founded in 1927 by businessmen Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer as an imprint of Modern Library, it quickly overtook Modern Library as the parent imprint. Over the foll ...

(1936) B009X7KK6K Introduction by

Ben Hecht Ben Hecht (; February 28, 1894 – April 18, 1964) was an American screenwriter, director, producer, playwright, journalist, and novelist. A journalist in his youth, he went on to write 35 books and some of the most enjoyed screenplays and play ...

with contributions by

Robert Benchley Robert Charles Benchley (September 15, 1889 – November 21, 1945) was an American humorist, newspaper columnist and actor. From his beginnings at ''The Harvard Lampoon'' while attending Harvard University, through his many years writing essays ...

Moss Hart Moss Hart (October 24, 1904 – December 20, 1961) was an American playwright, librettist, and theater director. Early years Hart was born in New York City, the son of Lillian (Solomon) and Barnett Hart, a cigar maker. He had a younger brother ...

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Acade ...

Marc Connelly Marcus Cook Connelly (December 13, 1890 – December 21, 1980) was an American playwright, director, producer, performer, and lyricist. He was a key member of the Algonquin Round Table, and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930. Biogra ...

, James Kevin McGuinness, Franklin P. Adams and

Nunnally Johnson Nunnally Hunter Johnson (December 5, 1897 – March 25, 1977) was an American screenwriter, film director, producer and playwright. As a filmmaker, he wrote the screenplays to more than fifty films in a career that spanned from 1927 to 1967. He a ...

. *''Songs My Mother Never Sang''

(1943) B002B9VFCA *''The Four Marx Brothers in Monkey Business and Duck Soup''

Simon & Schuster Simon & Schuster LLC (, ) is an American publishing house owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts since 2023. It was founded in New York City in 1924, by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. Along with Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group US ...

(1973) 978-0671212735 S.J. Perelman; Will B. Johnstone;

; and Harry Ruby

Death

Ruby died on February 23, 1974, in

Woodland Hills, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States. History The area was inhabited for around 8,000 years by Native Americans in the United States, ...

, and was interred at the Chapel of the Pines in

Los Angeles 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, ...

References

External links

Harry Ruby
at

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

Harry Ruby at the Sheet Music Consortium

Harry Ruby recordings
at the

Discography of American Historical Recordings The Discography of American Historical Recordings (DAHR) is a database catalog of master recordings made by American record companies during the 78rpm era. The 78rpm era was the time period in which any flat disc records were being played at ...

. Streaming audio
Harry Ruby
on Victor Records
Harry Ruby
on

Edison Records Edison Records was one of the early record labels that pioneered sound recording and reproduction, and was an important and successful company in the early recording industry. The first phonograph cylinders were manufactured in 1888, followed by ...

Harry Ruby
at the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...

;Video * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ruby, Harry 1895 births 1974 deaths 20th-century American composers 20th-century American Jews American vaudeville performers Burials at Chapel of the Pines Crematory Jewish American composers Jewish American screenwriters Jewish American songwriters

Biography

Works

Death

See also

References

External links