Henry Sullivan (composer)
Henry Anthony Sullivan (1895–1975) was a composer, songwriter, and pianist.[1]
Early life[edit]
He attended the Worcester Academy and Dartmouth College.[2]
Career[edit]
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 John Murray Anderson, they would write five songs for the film The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), along with other copyrighted songs as well.[7] With John Murray 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[edit]
| 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 COMMAND TO LOVE[12] |
| Murray Anderson's Almanac | 1929 | Music[13] |
Source: [14]
Discography[edit]
| 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 motion picture entitled The Greatest Show on Earth.
Words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan. |
1951 |
| Sing a Happy Song. From The Greatest Show on Earth.
Words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan. |
1952 |
| Popcorn and Lemonade. From The Greatest Show on Earth.
Words: John Murray Anderson, music: Henry Sullivan. |
1952 |
| If Every Month Were June. w John Murray Anderson, m Henry Sullivan. | 1953 |
| Hudson River. Words: Henry Myers, music: Henry Sullivan. | 1955 |
| I May Be Wrong. m Henry Sullivan, w Harry Ruskin, arr. for dance orchestra | 1959 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Artist: Henry Sullivan | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ a b Williamson, Chet (2013-01-26). "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 2023-08-18.
- ^ "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 2024-03-05
- ^ Sullivan, Henry (1929-01-01). "I May Be Wrong". Sheet Music Collection.
- ^ "Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ a b "Headings Results". cocatalog.loc.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "Thumbs Up!".
- ^ "Bow Bells - Revue". www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
- ^ "John Murray Anderson's Almanac – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Thumbs Up! – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Keep Moving – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Murray Anderson's Almanac – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Henry Sullivan (writer)".
- ^ "Music - Henry Sullivan". catalog.afi.com. AFI|Catalog. Retrieved 12 March 2024.