Henry Sullivan (composer)
Henry Anthony Sullivan (1895–1975) was a composer, songwriter, and pianist.[1]
Early life
He attended the Worcester Academy and Dartmouth College.[2]
Career
In 1929, he wrote his first complete show, Almanac, which was later produced by John Murray Anderson as Murray Anderson's Almanac on Broadway in 1929. Some of the comedy sketches were written by Noël Coward.[3] From the show, I May Be Wrong (but I Think You're Wonderful) was composed, with Sullivan writing the music and Harry Ruskin writing the lyrics.[2][4][5] The song would go on to become a popular song with multiple cover versions.[6]
With Anderson, they would write five songs for the film The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), along with other copyrighted songs as well.[7] With Anderson staging the show as well writing some of the lyrics, Sullivan wrote the music for the Broadway show Thumbs Up! (1934).[8] Prior to that, Sullivan wrote the music for the British production of Bow Bells (1931) which was performed at the London Hippodrome.[9]
Broadway shows
| Title | Opening | Role |
|---|---|---|
| John Murray Anderson's Almanac | 1953 | additional music and lyrics[10] |
| Thumbs Up! | 1934 | music[11] |
| Keep Moving | 1934 | music for "A Page from Jonathan Swift" and "Comnand to Love"[12] |
| Murray Anderson's Almanac | 1929 | music[13] |
Source:[14]
Discography
| Song and Authorship[7][15] | Year |
|---|---|
| "Picnic in the Park" from the film The Greatest Show on Earth
words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan |
1951 |
| "You Can't Say Goodbye to Hawaii" from the film The Greatest Show on Earth
words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan |
1951 |
| "Sing a Happy Song" from the film The Greatest Show on Earth
words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan |
1952 |
| "Popcorn and Lemonade" from the film The Greatest Show on Earth
words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan |
1952 |
| "If Every Month Were June"
words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan |
1953 |
| "Hudson River"
words: Henry Myers, music: Henry Sullivan |
1955 |
| "I May Be Wrong (but I Think You're Wonderful)"
words: Harry Ruskin, music: Henry Sullivan, arranged for dance orchestra |
1959 |
References
- ^ "Artist: Henry Sullivan | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Williamson, Chet (January 26, 2013). "Worcester Songwriters of the Great American Songbook : "I May Be Wrong," But I Think You're Wonderful"". Worcester Songwriters of the Great American Songbook. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Murray Anderson's Almanac (Playbill)".
- ^ LESLIE HUTCHINSON; Harry Ruskin; Henry Sullivan, I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful), Internet Archive, Parlophone, retrieved March 5, 2024
- ^ Sullivan, Henry (January 1, 1929). "I May Be Wrong". Sheet Music Collection.
- ^ "Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
{{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help) - ^ a b "Headings Results". cocatalog.loc.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Thumbs Up!".
- ^ "Bow Bells - Revue". www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "John Murray Anderson's Almanac – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Thumbs Up! – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Keep Moving – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Murray Anderson's Almanac – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Henry Sullivan (writer)".
- ^ "Music - Henry Sullivan". catalog.afi.com. AFI|Catalog. Retrieved March 12, 2024.