Biography
From the middle of the 1930s until the 1960s, Saul Chaplin composed numerous celebrated popular songs and motion picture soundtracks, frequently partnering with the prominent lyricist Sammy Cahn. Having been born in 1912 in Brooklyn, New York, he pursued studies at NYU while performing with dance orchestras. In the mid-1930s, he jointly directed a dance ensemble alongside Sammy Cahn before the pair turned to creating songs as a team. His early efforts included material for vaudeville shows and theatrical revues, after which he relocated to Hollywood in 1941. There, his initial roles involved composing and arranging, though he advanced to positions as musical director and producer, notably overseeing the 1968 production Star. Among his most recognized compositions stand "Shoe Shine Boy," "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" (1936), "Bei Mir Bist du Schoen" (1937), "Please Be Kind" (1938), "The Anniversary Song" (1946), and "You Wonderful You" (1950). He also crafted significant scores for films such as Cover Girl (1944), The Jolson Story (1946), An American in Paris (1951), Kiss Me Kate (1953), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), and West Side Story (1961).