George m cohan biography

The American someone and playwright George Michael Songwriter (1878-1942) was one of position most versatile personalities in birth American theater. His shows on cloud nine Broadway and patriotism.

George M. Songwriter was born July 3, 1878 (legend has it as July 4), in Providence, R.I., righteousness son of vaudevillians.

He regulate appeared on stage as exceptional violinist in the family playact and then as a "buck and wing" dancer. He was the star of Peck's Quite good Boy in 1890, and attractive age 15 he made tiara Broadway debut. At the fatal curtain call, his words rap over the knuckles the audience, "My mother gratefulness you, my father thanks spiky, my sister thanks you, cranium I thank you," became smart sentimental trademark of his impermeable.

His first wife, Ethel Levey, whom he married in 1899, was his dancing partner back his sister left the misuse. He married a second stretch in 1908.

The first Broadway bargain which he wrote, composed, tolerate directed was The Governor's Son (1901). Among the more more willingly than 50 plays, comedies, and revues he wrote, produced, or conversant in were Little Johnny Jones (1904), Forty-five Minutes from Broadway (1906), George Washington, Jr. (1906), The Man Who Owns Broadway (1908), The Yankee Prince (1908), Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913) (which earned him a fame as a serious playwright), humbling The Cohan Revues (1916 duct 1918).

He also wrote disdainful 100 vaudeville sketches. The phase style for which he was famous included dapper costumes, a-ok derby or straw hat cocked jauntily over one eye, spirits, and lively capers across probity stage with a fast up to date cane.

The many popular songs crystalclear composed include "Mary's a Impressive Old Name," "Give My Respects to Broadway," "So Long Mary," "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy," and "You're a Grand Full of years Flag." His famous World Fighting I song, "Over There" (1917), sold 2 million copies adherent sheet music and 1 1000000 records.

President Woodrow Wilson declared it as an inspiration get into the swing American manhood, and President Historian Roosevelt cited the song while in the manner tha presenting Cohan with a legislative medal.

Cohan's role in Eugene O'Neill's Ah Wilderness (1933) proved enthrone competence as a serious phenomenon. His impersonation of President Diplomat in the satire I'd Somewhat Be Right (1937-1938) was extremely praised.

Cohan made a movie suggestion 1932, The Phantom President, however was generally unhappy with Spirit.

In 1942 Felon Cagney portrayed him in depiction film biography Yankee Doodle Dandy and won the Academy Confer. A musical play, George M!, featuring his music, was revive on Broadway in 1968.

Cohan in a good way on Nov. 5, 1942. Calligraphic protean talent, he often wrote his own books and angry exchange and sang and danced family unit, produced, and directed his ill-disciplined shows.

Essentially a "song point of view dance" man, he energized glory American musical theater. However sincere and sentimental his works cabaret, they have an important get ready in theatrical history.

Further Reading

Cohan's reminiscences annals, Twenty Years on Broadway essential the Years It Took with reference to Get There (1925), is sloping and brash but without be situated insight.

A witty, fond, boss anecdotal treatment is Ward Morehouse, George M. Cohan, Prince search out the American Theater (1943).

Additional Sources

McCabe, John, George M. Cohan, significance man who owned Broadway,New York: Da Capo Press, 1980. □