Words and Music - 1948 Hollywood Musical

Words and Music
MGM, 1948 ( Color, 119 minutes, Production No. 1427 )

MGM RECORDS 3771

Words and Music is a biographical musical based on the partnership of Richard Rodgers (Tom Drake) and Lorenz Hart (Mickey Rooney). The story line is rather weak (OK, very weak), and Rooney's portrayal of Hart is downright depressing. Though apparently inaccurate, as are most musical biographies, it is a very enjoyable tribute to the great music of this famous duo. Most of MGM's major stars are on hand to deliver some of America's best music as only MGM could do it. Highlights of the film include Judy and Mickey's rendition of "I Wish I Were in Love Again", Judy's "Johnny One Note", Perry Como's "Mountain Greenery", June Allyson's "Thou Swell", and Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen's interpretive ballet, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue". If you're looking for a great movie, watch something else, but if you want to see a thrilling Rodgers and Hart concert, this is it!

~ all songs recorded for the 1948 M-G-M film "Words and Music"

Music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart

Track Listing

Title Music: "Lover"
Orchestra and Chorus [ 1:41 ]

Manhattan

Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake

and Marshall Thompson [ 2:08 ]

There's a Small Hotel

Betty Garrett [ 2:30 ]

Mountain Greenery

Perry Como with Allyn Ann McLerie and Chorus [ 4:42 ]

Where's That Rainbow?

Ann Sothern and Chorus [ 4:10 ]

On Your Toes / The Girl Friend / This Can't Be Love

Eileen Wilson, Dee Turnell and Chorus [ 4:58 ]

Blue Room

Perry Como and Chorus [ 4:59 ]

Thou Swell

June Allyson and The Blackburn Twins [ 5:43 ]

With a Song in My Heart

Tom Drake [ 1:49 ]

Where or When

Lena Horne [ 3:01 ]

The Lady Is a Tramp

Lena Horne [ 2:56 ]

I Wish I Were In Love Again

Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney [ 2:25 ]

Johnny One Note

Judy Garland [ 2:13 ]

Blue Moon ( Mel Tormé ) [ 2:07 ]

Slaughter on 10th Avenue

Orchestra [ 7:46 ]

With a Song in My Heart

Perry Como and Chorus

Closing Montage

Cast) [ 3:31 ]

Way Out West - outtake

Betty Garrett

recordings featuring Perry Como

Unreleased tracks by Perry Como

recorded for Words and Music and cut from the film

You're Nearer MGM Matrix No. 27474 / Not Used

Lover MGM Matrix No. 27501 / Not Used

My Heart Stood Still MGM Matrix No. 27502 / Not Used

Musical Direction: Lennie Hayton
Orchestration: Conrad Salinger
Vocal Arrangements: Robert Tucker
Musical numbers staged and directed by: Robert Alton

Credits

Produced by: Arthur Freed
Directed by: Norman Taurog
Screenplay by: Fred Finklehoffe — story by Guy Bolton and Jean Halloway,

based on the lives of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, adaptation by Ben Feiner
Musical Direction: Lennie Hayton
Orchestration: Conrad Salinger
Vocal Arrangements: Robert Tucker
Musical numbers staged and directed by: Robert Alton
Photography: Charles Rosher, Harry Stradling
Editors: Albert Akst, Ferris Webster
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Jack Martin Smith
Released: December 1948

Cast

Mickey Rooney — Lorenz Hart
Perry Como — Eddie Lorrison Anders
Ann Sothern — Joyce Harmon
Tom Drake — Richard Rodgers
Betty Garrett — Peggy McNeil
Janet Leigh — Dorothy Feiner
Marshall Thompson — Herbert Fields
Jeanette Nolan — Mrs. Hart
Richard Quine — Bob Feiner, Jr.
Clinton Sundberg — Shoe Clerk
Harry Antrim — Dr. Rodgers
Ilka Gruning — Mrs. Rodgers

and Guest Stars:

June Allyson, Judy Garland, Lena Horne,

Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Mel Torme,

Vera-Ellen, Dee Turnell, Emory Parnell,

Helen Spring, Edward Earl, The Blackburn Twins

A Perry Como Discography

& CD Companion

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First Edition Summer 1992

Second Edition Christmas 1993

Web Page Edition Christmas 1997

Revision Christmas 2011

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