Biography
Jule Styne composed tunes alongside lyricist Sammy Cahn that achieved widespread popularity throughout the 1940s, among them “I’ve Heard That Song Before,” “I’ll Walk Alone,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” Transitioning afterward to the stage, he supplied scores for Gypsy, Funny Girl, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Bells Are Ringing. Across both periods he showed particular skill at tailoring material to individual performers, resulting in introductions and signature interpretations by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Ethel Merman, and Barbra Streisand.
Julius Kerwin Stein entered the world on 31 December 1905 in London, England, as the child of Russian immigrants Isadore and Anna (Kertman) Stein, whose father ran a butter-and-egg store. To distinguish himself from Dr. Julius Stein, president of the Music Corporation of America, he later adjusted his own name to Jule Styne, pronouncing the first syllable like the feminine given name “Julie.” Piano study began at age six and continued once the family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1912, where his prodigious talent quickly emerged. By nine he had appeared as soloist with the Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis symphony orchestras. Growing hands too small for a sustained concert career, together with a finger injury sustained in an accident, prompted a shift toward popular music; he began performing with local ensembles in his early teens. Songwriting commenced at sixteen, and shortly after his twenty-first birthday the 1927 success “Sunday,” jointly credited to Ned Miller, Chester Conn, and Benny Krueger, was recorded by Cliff Edwards, Jean Goldkette & His Orchestra featuring the Keller Sisters, and Gene Austin.
After fronting his own Chicago band in the early 1930s, Styne relocated to New York in 1934 to work as a vocal coach. He served as accompanist and conductor for Harry Richman in 1936, then joined 20th Century-Fox as a vocal coach in 1937 and moved to Hollywood. Starting with the May 1938 release Kentucky Moon, he began adding original songs to motion pictures. In 1940 he joined Republic Pictures expressly as a songwriter; “Who Am I?” (lyrics by Walter Bullock), written for Hit Parade of 1941 (December 1940), earned his first Academy Award nomination for best song. Collaboration with lyricist Frank Loesser began in 1941 at Paramount, yielding material for the 1942 film Sweater Girl. Two numbers from that score—“I Said No!,” recorded by Alvino Rey & His Orchestra with Yvonne King (Top Five, February 1942; Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra version with Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell also Top Ten) and “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You,” recorded by Harry James & His Orchestra with Helen Forrest (Top Five, March)—became hits before the picture’s release. Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore also charted with the latter song; Barry Manilow revived it for a Top 40 hit in 1980.
Meeting Sammy Cahn in 1942 launched their enduring partnership with “I’ve Heard That Song Before,” written for Youth on Parade (December 1942). Harry James’s recording with Helen Forrest held number one for thirteen weeks, earned a gold disc, and ranked as the year’s biggest hit, bringing Styne a second Oscar nomination. A third nomination followed for “A Change of Heart” (lyrics by Harold Adamson) from Hit Parade of 1943 (April 1943).
Their independent “Vict’ry Polka” reached the Top Ten in January 1944 via Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Dinah Shore’s performance of “I’ll Walk Alone” in Follow the Boys (April 1944) spent four weeks at number one beginning in October, outpacing Top Ten versions by Martha Tilton and Mary Martin and a chart single by Louis Prima; Jane Froman later sang it in her 1952 film biography With a Song in My Heart, after which Don Cornell revived it for a Top Five hit while Froman, Richard Hayes, and Margaret Whiting also charted. The song secured Styne’s fourth Academy Award nomination.
The 1944 stage attempt Glad to See You closed out of town, yet “Can’t You Read Between the Lines?” became a Top Ten hit for Jimmy Dorsey with Jean Cromwell in June 1945. Carolina Blues (December 1944), starring Kay Kyser, yielded “There Goes That Song Again,” a Top Five hit for Russ Morgan & His Orchestra in January 1945 (with Top Ten covers by Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye featuring Nancy Norman, Kyser’s band with Georgia Carroll, Billy Butterfield & His Orchestra with Margaret Whiting, and a chart entry by Kate Smith) and “Poor Little Rhode Island,” which reached number 11 for Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians with Stuart Foster and subsequently became Rhode Island’s state song.
Initial film work for Sinatra in Step Lively (1944) led to the independent “Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week),” a Top Five hit for Sinatra in March 1945 (Top Ten covers by Sammy Kaye with Nancy Norman and Frankie Carle & His Orchestra with Phyllis Lynne; also charted by the Four King Sisters and Woody Herman & His Orchestra with Frances Wayne). Tonight and Every Night (March 1945) brought a fifth Oscar nomination for “Anywhere.” Anchors Aweigh (July 1945) earned a sixth nomination and a second that year for “I Fall in Love Too Easily,” plus a chart entry for Sinatra with “What Makes the Sunset?”
Postwar, the independent “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” topped the charts for three weeks beginning November 1945 in Harry James’s version with Kitty Kallen; Bing Crosby with Les Paul & His Trio held number one for two weeks in December, while Charlie Spivak & His Orchestra with Irene Daye reached the Top Five and Stan Kenton & His Orchestra with June Christy reached the Top Ten. Consequently Styne and Cahn were named the leading pop songwriting team of 1945.
The seasonal “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” entered the charts in December 1945, reached number one for five weeks in January 1946 via Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra, and also charted in the Top Ten for Woody Herman, Connee Boswell and Russ Morgan, and Bob Crosby & His Orchestra. Sinatra’s recording of the independent “Five Minutes More” held number one for four weeks from September (Top Five cover by Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra; Top Ten versions by the Three Suns and Skitch Henderson with Ray Kellogg; chart entry by Bob Crosby). Sinatra’s “The Things We Did Last Summer” reached the Top Ten in December, matched by a Top Ten cover from Jo Stafford and a chart entry from Vaughn Monroe; Shelley Fabares revived it for a 1962 chart hit.
Songs for It Happened in Brooklyn (March 1947) produced the Top Five “I Believe” and chart entry “Time After Time” for Sinatra (Chris Montez revived the latter for a Top 40 hit in 1966). High Button Shoes, starring Phil Silvers and Nanette Fabray, opened 9 October 1947, completed 727 performances, and became the biggest stage success of the 1947–1948 season; RCA Victor issued the cast album. Romance on the High Seas (June 1948) launched Doris Day’s film career and yielded “It’s Magic,” a Top Five hit in September 1948 that earned Styne’s seventh Oscar nomination (Top Ten covers by Dick Haymes and Gordon MacRae; chart entries by Tony Martin, Sarah Vaughan, and Vic Damone). The same score’s “Put ’Em in a Box, Tie ’Em with a Ribbon (And Throw ’Em in the Deep Blue Sea)” charted for Eddy Howard and the King Cole Trio. Two Guys from Texas (August 1948) contributed “Ev’ry Day I Love You (Just a Little Bit More),” which reached the charts for Vaughn Monroe, Dick Haymes, and Jo Stafford. The title song from It’s a Great Feeling (August 1949) brought Styne’s eighth Oscar nomination.
After the Warner Bros. contract ended in 1949, Styne and Cahn parted amicably so Styne could concentrate on Broadway. With Leo Robin he created Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which opened 8 December 1949, ran 740 performances, and made a star of Carol Channing; Columbia released the Top Five cast album. The 1953 film version starring Marilyn Monroe retained only “Bye Bye Baby,” “A Little Girl from Little Rock,” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”; the MGM soundtrack reached the Top Five. A 1995 Broadway revival generated a DRG cast album.
Styne produced Make a Wish (18 April 1951), whose songs were by Hugh Martin, without success, yet later productions under his aegis succeeded, including the 3 January 1952 revival of Pal Joey and Mr. Wonderful (22 March 1956) starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
Teaming again with Betty Comden and Adolph Green, he wrote the revue Two on the Aisle, which opened 19 July 1951, completed 276 performances, and yielded a Decca cast album. The book musical Hazel Flagg, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard, opened 11 February 1953, ran 190 performances, and received an RCA Victor cast album; Eddie Fisher charted with “How Do You Speak to an Angel?” The property, drawn from the 1937 film Nothing Sacred, became the 1954 Dean Martin–Jerry Lewis vehicle Living It Up, for which Styne and Hilliard supplied new songs; Capitol issued the soundtrack and Don, Dick & Jimmy charted with “That’s What I Like” in November 1954.
Sammy Cahn brought Styne back for the title song of Three Coins in the Fountain (May 1954). Sinatra’s soundtrack version reached the Top Five, but the Four Aces’ cover hit number one, earned gold status, and secured Styne’s ninth and ultimately only Academy Award.
Additional songs by Styne, Comden, and Green for the Mary Martin Peter Pan opened on Broadway 20 October 1954 and included “Never Never Land.” The production ran 149 performances before a live telecast; RCA Victor released the cast album. Revivals followed in 1979, 1990, and 1998. Bells Are Ringing, starring Judy Holliday, opened 29 November 1956; Tony Bennett charted with “Just in Time” beforehand and Doris Day later charted with “The Party’s Over.” The show completed 924 performances, Columbia issued a charting cast album, and Capitol released the 1960 film soundtrack with Holliday and Dean Martin. A 2001 revival starring Faith Prince generated a Varèse Sarabande cast album.
The television musical Ruggles of Red Gap, with Leo Robin, aired 3 February 1957; Verve released the soundtrack. Say, Darling, another Comden–Green collaboration, opened 3 April 1958, ran 332 performances, and produced an RCA Victor cast album containing “Dance Only with Me,” which Perry Como took into the Top 40.
Ethel Merman recruited Styne for Gypsy, based on Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoirs yet centered on her mother; Stephen Sondheim supplied lyrics. Opening 21 May 1959, the show ran 702 performances and became Styne’s most acclaimed work. The Columbia cast album reached the Top 20, remained on the charts more than two years, and won a Grammy for best cast album. Johnny Mathis’s Top 40 recording of “Small World” earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year. “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” received frequent recordings though they were not hit singles. The 1962 film starring Rosalind Russell generated a Top Ten Warner Bros. soundtrack. Subsequent revivals include Angela Lansbury’s 1973 London production that moved to Broadway in 1974 (RCA Victor cast album), Tyne Daly’s 1989 Broadway revival (Elektra), Bette Midler’s 1993 television version (Atlantic cast album), Bernadette Peters’s 2003 Broadway revival (Broadway Angel, Grammy winner), and Patti LuPone’s 2008 production.
Songs with George David Weiss for the 19 June 1960 opening of Freedomland in the Bronx failed to sustain the park, yet Johnny Horton charted with “Johnny Freedom.” Do Re Mi, again with Comden and Green and starring Phil Silvers, opened 26 December 1960 and completed 400 performances; Perry Como’s pre-opening recording of “Make Someone Happy” reached the charts and earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year, while the RCA Victor cast album reached the Top 20. Subways Are for Sleeping opened 27 December 1961, closed after 205 performances, yet its Columbia cast album reached the Top 100. Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, with Bob Merrill, aired 18 December 1962.
“Now!,” written with Comden and Green for Lena Horne, charted in November 1963. Funny Girl, the musical biography of Fanny Brice with lyrics by Bob Merrill, opened 26 March 1964 and ran 1,348 performances. Streisand’s recording of “People” reached the Top Ten and earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year; she also charted with a title song cut from the score. The Capitol cast album sold gold and reached the Top Five, winning the Grammy for best show album. The 1968 film version starring Streisand produced a Columbia soundtrack that sold over a million copies and earned Styne a tenth Oscar nomination for the new title song. The Tymes revived “People” for a Top 40 hit.
Within two months both What a Way to Go! (May 1964), starring Shirley MacLaine, and Fade Out—Fade In (26 May 1964), starring Carol Burnett, reached audiences; both carried Comden–Green lyrics. The film succeeded commercially, while the stage show ran only 199 performances, though its ABC-Paramount cast album reached the Top 100. Styne co-produced Fade Out—Fade In and directed Something More! (10 November 1964), whose songs were by Sammy Fain and Alan and Marilyn Bergman; neither venture prospered.
The television musical The Dangerous Christmas of Little Red Riding Hood, starring Liza Minnelli with Merrill lyrics, aired 28 November 1965; ABC-Paramount released the soundtrack. I’m Getting Married, with Comden and Green, aired 16 March 1967. Hallelujah, Baby!, starring Leslie Uggams, opened 26 April 1967, ran 293 performances, won Tonys for best musical and best score, and yielded a Columbia cast album.
Darling of the Day (27 January 1968), starring Vincent Price with E.Y. Harburg lyrics, lasted 32 performances yet received an RCA Victor cast album. Look to the Lilies (29 March 1970), reuniting Styne with Cahn, ran 25 performances; they also wrote The Night the Animals Talked, broadcast 6 December 1970. Prettybelle, with Merrill, closed in Boston tryouts in 1971; Original Cast Records issued a 1982 studio recording featuring Angela Lansbury and other original cast members. Sugar (9 April 1972), based on Some Like It Hot and starring Robert Morse with Merrill lyrics, ran 505 performances and generated a United Artists cast album. Lorelei, a revised Gentlemen Prefer Blondes again starring Channing, toured before opening on Broadway 27 January 1974 for 320 performances; MGM released the cast album.
Sammy Cahn’s revue Words and Music, featuring many Styne–Cahn songs, opened 16 April 1974 and ran 127 performances. Styne performed a nightclub act in 1977 and taught at New York University during the 1980s; Michael Feinstein included him on the 1991 album Michael Feinstein Sings the Jule Styne Songbook. Bar Mitzvah Boy, with Don Black lyrics, opened in London 31 October 1978, ran 77 performances, and received a CBS U.K. cast album. One Night Stand, with Herb Gardner lyrics, closed in Broadway previews in 1980 (Original Cast Records issued a cast album). Pieces of Eight, with Susan Birkenhead lyrics, received a Canadian tryout in 1985. The Red Shoes, with Marsha Norman and Bob Merrill lyrics, opened 16 December 1993 and ran five performances. Styne died of a heart attack on 20 September 1994 at age 88, his standing as one of the most successful Broadway composers of his generation and one of the most successful songwriters of the twentieth century firmly established.
Julius Kerwin Stein entered the world on 31 December 1905 in London, England, as the child of Russian immigrants Isadore and Anna (Kertman) Stein, whose father ran a butter-and-egg store. To distinguish himself from Dr. Julius Stein, president of the Music Corporation of America, he later adjusted his own name to Jule Styne, pronouncing the first syllable like the feminine given name “Julie.” Piano study began at age six and continued once the family relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1912, where his prodigious talent quickly emerged. By nine he had appeared as soloist with the Chicago, Detroit, and St. Louis symphony orchestras. Growing hands too small for a sustained concert career, together with a finger injury sustained in an accident, prompted a shift toward popular music; he began performing with local ensembles in his early teens. Songwriting commenced at sixteen, and shortly after his twenty-first birthday the 1927 success “Sunday,” jointly credited to Ned Miller, Chester Conn, and Benny Krueger, was recorded by Cliff Edwards, Jean Goldkette & His Orchestra featuring the Keller Sisters, and Gene Austin.
After fronting his own Chicago band in the early 1930s, Styne relocated to New York in 1934 to work as a vocal coach. He served as accompanist and conductor for Harry Richman in 1936, then joined 20th Century-Fox as a vocal coach in 1937 and moved to Hollywood. Starting with the May 1938 release Kentucky Moon, he began adding original songs to motion pictures. In 1940 he joined Republic Pictures expressly as a songwriter; “Who Am I?” (lyrics by Walter Bullock), written for Hit Parade of 1941 (December 1940), earned his first Academy Award nomination for best song. Collaboration with lyricist Frank Loesser began in 1941 at Paramount, yielding material for the 1942 film Sweater Girl. Two numbers from that score—“I Said No!,” recorded by Alvino Rey & His Orchestra with Yvonne King (Top Five, February 1942; Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra version with Bob Eberly and Helen O’Connell also Top Ten) and “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You,” recorded by Harry James & His Orchestra with Helen Forrest (Top Five, March)—became hits before the picture’s release. Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore also charted with the latter song; Barry Manilow revived it for a Top 40 hit in 1980.
Meeting Sammy Cahn in 1942 launched their enduring partnership with “I’ve Heard That Song Before,” written for Youth on Parade (December 1942). Harry James’s recording with Helen Forrest held number one for thirteen weeks, earned a gold disc, and ranked as the year’s biggest hit, bringing Styne a second Oscar nomination. A third nomination followed for “A Change of Heart” (lyrics by Harold Adamson) from Hit Parade of 1943 (April 1943).
Their independent “Vict’ry Polka” reached the Top Ten in January 1944 via Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. Dinah Shore’s performance of “I’ll Walk Alone” in Follow the Boys (April 1944) spent four weeks at number one beginning in October, outpacing Top Ten versions by Martha Tilton and Mary Martin and a chart single by Louis Prima; Jane Froman later sang it in her 1952 film biography With a Song in My Heart, after which Don Cornell revived it for a Top Five hit while Froman, Richard Hayes, and Margaret Whiting also charted. The song secured Styne’s fourth Academy Award nomination.
The 1944 stage attempt Glad to See You closed out of town, yet “Can’t You Read Between the Lines?” became a Top Ten hit for Jimmy Dorsey with Jean Cromwell in June 1945. Carolina Blues (December 1944), starring Kay Kyser, yielded “There Goes That Song Again,” a Top Five hit for Russ Morgan & His Orchestra in January 1945 (with Top Ten covers by Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye featuring Nancy Norman, Kyser’s band with Georgia Carroll, Billy Butterfield & His Orchestra with Margaret Whiting, and a chart entry by Kate Smith) and “Poor Little Rhode Island,” which reached number 11 for Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians with Stuart Foster and subsequently became Rhode Island’s state song.
Initial film work for Sinatra in Step Lively (1944) led to the independent “Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week),” a Top Five hit for Sinatra in March 1945 (Top Ten covers by Sammy Kaye with Nancy Norman and Frankie Carle & His Orchestra with Phyllis Lynne; also charted by the Four King Sisters and Woody Herman & His Orchestra with Frances Wayne). Tonight and Every Night (March 1945) brought a fifth Oscar nomination for “Anywhere.” Anchors Aweigh (July 1945) earned a sixth nomination and a second that year for “I Fall in Love Too Easily,” plus a chart entry for Sinatra with “What Makes the Sunset?”
Postwar, the independent “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” topped the charts for three weeks beginning November 1945 in Harry James’s version with Kitty Kallen; Bing Crosby with Les Paul & His Trio held number one for two weeks in December, while Charlie Spivak & His Orchestra with Irene Daye reached the Top Five and Stan Kenton & His Orchestra with June Christy reached the Top Ten. Consequently Styne and Cahn were named the leading pop songwriting team of 1945.
The seasonal “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” entered the charts in December 1945, reached number one for five weeks in January 1946 via Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra, and also charted in the Top Ten for Woody Herman, Connee Boswell and Russ Morgan, and Bob Crosby & His Orchestra. Sinatra’s recording of the independent “Five Minutes More” held number one for four weeks from September (Top Five cover by Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra; Top Ten versions by the Three Suns and Skitch Henderson with Ray Kellogg; chart entry by Bob Crosby). Sinatra’s “The Things We Did Last Summer” reached the Top Ten in December, matched by a Top Ten cover from Jo Stafford and a chart entry from Vaughn Monroe; Shelley Fabares revived it for a 1962 chart hit.
Songs for It Happened in Brooklyn (March 1947) produced the Top Five “I Believe” and chart entry “Time After Time” for Sinatra (Chris Montez revived the latter for a Top 40 hit in 1966). High Button Shoes, starring Phil Silvers and Nanette Fabray, opened 9 October 1947, completed 727 performances, and became the biggest stage success of the 1947–1948 season; RCA Victor issued the cast album. Romance on the High Seas (June 1948) launched Doris Day’s film career and yielded “It’s Magic,” a Top Five hit in September 1948 that earned Styne’s seventh Oscar nomination (Top Ten covers by Dick Haymes and Gordon MacRae; chart entries by Tony Martin, Sarah Vaughan, and Vic Damone). The same score’s “Put ’Em in a Box, Tie ’Em with a Ribbon (And Throw ’Em in the Deep Blue Sea)” charted for Eddy Howard and the King Cole Trio. Two Guys from Texas (August 1948) contributed “Ev’ry Day I Love You (Just a Little Bit More),” which reached the charts for Vaughn Monroe, Dick Haymes, and Jo Stafford. The title song from It’s a Great Feeling (August 1949) brought Styne’s eighth Oscar nomination.
After the Warner Bros. contract ended in 1949, Styne and Cahn parted amicably so Styne could concentrate on Broadway. With Leo Robin he created Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which opened 8 December 1949, ran 740 performances, and made a star of Carol Channing; Columbia released the Top Five cast album. The 1953 film version starring Marilyn Monroe retained only “Bye Bye Baby,” “A Little Girl from Little Rock,” and “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”; the MGM soundtrack reached the Top Five. A 1995 Broadway revival generated a DRG cast album.
Styne produced Make a Wish (18 April 1951), whose songs were by Hugh Martin, without success, yet later productions under his aegis succeeded, including the 3 January 1952 revival of Pal Joey and Mr. Wonderful (22 March 1956) starring Sammy Davis, Jr.
Teaming again with Betty Comden and Adolph Green, he wrote the revue Two on the Aisle, which opened 19 July 1951, completed 276 performances, and yielded a Decca cast album. The book musical Hazel Flagg, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard, opened 11 February 1953, ran 190 performances, and received an RCA Victor cast album; Eddie Fisher charted with “How Do You Speak to an Angel?” The property, drawn from the 1937 film Nothing Sacred, became the 1954 Dean Martin–Jerry Lewis vehicle Living It Up, for which Styne and Hilliard supplied new songs; Capitol issued the soundtrack and Don, Dick & Jimmy charted with “That’s What I Like” in November 1954.
Sammy Cahn brought Styne back for the title song of Three Coins in the Fountain (May 1954). Sinatra’s soundtrack version reached the Top Five, but the Four Aces’ cover hit number one, earned gold status, and secured Styne’s ninth and ultimately only Academy Award.
Additional songs by Styne, Comden, and Green for the Mary Martin Peter Pan opened on Broadway 20 October 1954 and included “Never Never Land.” The production ran 149 performances before a live telecast; RCA Victor released the cast album. Revivals followed in 1979, 1990, and 1998. Bells Are Ringing, starring Judy Holliday, opened 29 November 1956; Tony Bennett charted with “Just in Time” beforehand and Doris Day later charted with “The Party’s Over.” The show completed 924 performances, Columbia issued a charting cast album, and Capitol released the 1960 film soundtrack with Holliday and Dean Martin. A 2001 revival starring Faith Prince generated a Varèse Sarabande cast album.
The television musical Ruggles of Red Gap, with Leo Robin, aired 3 February 1957; Verve released the soundtrack. Say, Darling, another Comden–Green collaboration, opened 3 April 1958, ran 332 performances, and produced an RCA Victor cast album containing “Dance Only with Me,” which Perry Como took into the Top 40.
Ethel Merman recruited Styne for Gypsy, based on Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoirs yet centered on her mother; Stephen Sondheim supplied lyrics. Opening 21 May 1959, the show ran 702 performances and became Styne’s most acclaimed work. The Columbia cast album reached the Top 20, remained on the charts more than two years, and won a Grammy for best cast album. Johnny Mathis’s Top 40 recording of “Small World” earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year. “Some People,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” received frequent recordings though they were not hit singles. The 1962 film starring Rosalind Russell generated a Top Ten Warner Bros. soundtrack. Subsequent revivals include Angela Lansbury’s 1973 London production that moved to Broadway in 1974 (RCA Victor cast album), Tyne Daly’s 1989 Broadway revival (Elektra), Bette Midler’s 1993 television version (Atlantic cast album), Bernadette Peters’s 2003 Broadway revival (Broadway Angel, Grammy winner), and Patti LuPone’s 2008 production.
Songs with George David Weiss for the 19 June 1960 opening of Freedomland in the Bronx failed to sustain the park, yet Johnny Horton charted with “Johnny Freedom.” Do Re Mi, again with Comden and Green and starring Phil Silvers, opened 26 December 1960 and completed 400 performances; Perry Como’s pre-opening recording of “Make Someone Happy” reached the charts and earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year, while the RCA Victor cast album reached the Top 20. Subways Are for Sleeping opened 27 December 1961, closed after 205 performances, yet its Columbia cast album reached the Top 100. Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, with Bob Merrill, aired 18 December 1962.
“Now!,” written with Comden and Green for Lena Horne, charted in November 1963. Funny Girl, the musical biography of Fanny Brice with lyrics by Bob Merrill, opened 26 March 1964 and ran 1,348 performances. Streisand’s recording of “People” reached the Top Ten and earned a Grammy nomination for song of the year; she also charted with a title song cut from the score. The Capitol cast album sold gold and reached the Top Five, winning the Grammy for best show album. The 1968 film version starring Streisand produced a Columbia soundtrack that sold over a million copies and earned Styne a tenth Oscar nomination for the new title song. The Tymes revived “People” for a Top 40 hit.
Within two months both What a Way to Go! (May 1964), starring Shirley MacLaine, and Fade Out—Fade In (26 May 1964), starring Carol Burnett, reached audiences; both carried Comden–Green lyrics. The film succeeded commercially, while the stage show ran only 199 performances, though its ABC-Paramount cast album reached the Top 100. Styne co-produced Fade Out—Fade In and directed Something More! (10 November 1964), whose songs were by Sammy Fain and Alan and Marilyn Bergman; neither venture prospered.
The television musical The Dangerous Christmas of Little Red Riding Hood, starring Liza Minnelli with Merrill lyrics, aired 28 November 1965; ABC-Paramount released the soundtrack. I’m Getting Married, with Comden and Green, aired 16 March 1967. Hallelujah, Baby!, starring Leslie Uggams, opened 26 April 1967, ran 293 performances, won Tonys for best musical and best score, and yielded a Columbia cast album.
Darling of the Day (27 January 1968), starring Vincent Price with E.Y. Harburg lyrics, lasted 32 performances yet received an RCA Victor cast album. Look to the Lilies (29 March 1970), reuniting Styne with Cahn, ran 25 performances; they also wrote The Night the Animals Talked, broadcast 6 December 1970. Prettybelle, with Merrill, closed in Boston tryouts in 1971; Original Cast Records issued a 1982 studio recording featuring Angela Lansbury and other original cast members. Sugar (9 April 1972), based on Some Like It Hot and starring Robert Morse with Merrill lyrics, ran 505 performances and generated a United Artists cast album. Lorelei, a revised Gentlemen Prefer Blondes again starring Channing, toured before opening on Broadway 27 January 1974 for 320 performances; MGM released the cast album.
Sammy Cahn’s revue Words and Music, featuring many Styne–Cahn songs, opened 16 April 1974 and ran 127 performances. Styne performed a nightclub act in 1977 and taught at New York University during the 1980s; Michael Feinstein included him on the 1991 album Michael Feinstein Sings the Jule Styne Songbook. Bar Mitzvah Boy, with Don Black lyrics, opened in London 31 October 1978, ran 77 performances, and received a CBS U.K. cast album. One Night Stand, with Herb Gardner lyrics, closed in Broadway previews in 1980 (Original Cast Records issued a cast album). Pieces of Eight, with Susan Birkenhead lyrics, received a Canadian tryout in 1985. The Red Shoes, with Marsha Norman and Bob Merrill lyrics, opened 16 December 1993 and ran five performances. Styne died of a heart attack on 20 September 1994 at age 88, his standing as one of the most successful Broadway composers of his generation and one of the most successful songwriters of the twentieth century firmly established.
Albums
Gypsy Starring Audra McDonald (2024 Broadway Cast Recording)
2025
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Original London Cast)
2025
Gypsy (2015 London Cast Recording)
2015
Peter Pan Live! (Original Soundtrack of the NBC Television Event)
2014
Bells Are Ringing (2001 Broadway Cast Recording)
2001
Some Like It Hot (Original London Cast Recording)
1992