Biography
Arthur Freed, a lyricist and film producer, penned numerous hit tunes such as "Pagan Love Song" and "Singin' in the Rain," composed the score for the 1929 movie Broadway Melody, and oversaw production of numerous popular screen musicals like The Wizard of Oz. Born in Charleston, SC, during 1894, he grew up in Seattle, WA. Upon finishing high school he took a job as a pianist and song plugger with a Chicago music publisher, where he encountered Minnie Marx; this connection prompted him to team with the Marx Brothers for a tour on the vaudeville circuit. Freed supplied material for vaudeville acts and collaborated onstage with Louis Silvers on New York revue pieces. He served in the Army throughout World War I, after which he contributed songs to cabaret shows. While engaged in songwriting and theater management in Los Angeles, MGM recruited him as a lyricist. Among his most recognized compositions stand his debut success "When Buddha Smiles" from 1921, the follow-up "I Cried for You" that cemented his reputation in 1923, plus "Pagan Love Song," "Singin' in the Rain" (1929), "Temptation" (1933), "All I Do Is Dream of You" (1934), "Broadway Rhythm," and "You Are My Lucky Star" (1935). He entered musical theater writing in 1929 before shifting into production duties. Across his career Freed produced more than 45 successful films, among them Babes in Arms, The Wizard of Oz (1939), Girl Crazy (1943), The Harvey Girls (1946), Easter Parade (1948), Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon (1954), and Gigi (1958). His final project was the 1960 release The Bells Are Ringing. Composer Nacio Herb Brown served as his primary creative partner. Freed also belongs to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Singles