Biography
Born on 17 February 1891 in South Berwick, Maine, Harry Rulten died on 11 December 1940 in Killingworth, Connecticut. Murray’s initial stage credits on Broadway featured multiple revues ahead of the 1922 musical Springtime Of Youth, whose score came from Walter Rollo and Sigmund Romberg while the lyrics were supplied by Matthew C. Woodward and Cyrus Wood. Caroline followed in 1923, carrying music by Edward Rideamus, Alfred Goodman and Edward Kunneke together with book and lyrics credited to Harry B. Smith and Kunneke. Among Murray’s contributions were the number “Hello, Hello,” the duets “Land Of Enchantment” and “Sweetheart” performed with Tessa Kosta, and the trio “Who Cares For A Name” shared with Kosta and John Adair. In 1924 he joined China Rose, whose music was written by A. Baldwin Sloane and whose book was prepared by Harry L. Cort and George E. Stoddard. Subsequent engagements included Captain Jinks in 1925, set to music by Lewis E. Gensler and Stephen Jones with lyrics by Buddy De Sylva, and Castles In The Air the next year, whose score was furnished by Percy Wenrich with book and lyrics by Raymond Peck. Rio Rita arrived in 1927, pairing Murray opposite Ethelind Terry in the title part; the production, which completed nearly 500 performances, carried a book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson, music by Harry Tierney and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. Murray’s featured songs comprised “Following The Sun Around,” the two duets with Terry titled “Rio Rita” and “If You’re In Love, You’ll Waltz,” and the ensemble piece “March Of The Rangers” performed alongside Harry Ratcliffe and Donald Douglas.
Early in the 1930s Murray appeared in East Wind, a commercial disappointment despite its Romberg score and Oscar Hammerstein II lyrics, as well as the 1932 revue Face The Music, whose book was supplied by Moss Hart and whose music and lyrics came from Irving Berlin. Within that show Murray delivered “Manhattan Madness” and three duets with Katherine Carrington: “On A Roof In Manhattan,” “Soft Lights And Sweet Music” and “I Say It’s Spinach.” Another 1930s revue, Thumbs Up, reached the stage in 1934 under the production of Eddie Dowling, who also performed in the cast; the music was composed by James Hanley and Henry Sullivan, while the book and lyrics were assembled by H.I. Phillips, Harold Atteridge, Alan Baxter, Ballard MacDonald and Earle Crooker.
Murray’s screen credits encompassed Happy Days in 1929, where he performed as himself, the title role in Cameo Kirby opposite Norma Terris, and two 1934 releases, The Flame Song together with A Nite In A Nite Club, the latter once more presenting him as himself.
Early in the 1930s Murray appeared in East Wind, a commercial disappointment despite its Romberg score and Oscar Hammerstein II lyrics, as well as the 1932 revue Face The Music, whose book was supplied by Moss Hart and whose music and lyrics came from Irving Berlin. Within that show Murray delivered “Manhattan Madness” and three duets with Katherine Carrington: “On A Roof In Manhattan,” “Soft Lights And Sweet Music” and “I Say It’s Spinach.” Another 1930s revue, Thumbs Up, reached the stage in 1934 under the production of Eddie Dowling, who also performed in the cast; the music was composed by James Hanley and Henry Sullivan, while the book and lyrics were assembled by H.I. Phillips, Harold Atteridge, Alan Baxter, Ballard MacDonald and Earle Crooker.
Murray’s screen credits encompassed Happy Days in 1929, where he performed as himself, the title role in Cameo Kirby opposite Norma Terris, and two 1934 releases, The Flame Song together with A Nite In A Nite Club, the latter once more presenting him as himself.
Singles