Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Monday, February 04, 2019

What Two Pelham Residents are the Subject of Songs in the Broadway Musical Mega-Hit Hamilton?


Those who follow the Historic Pelham Blog know that "Pelham Trivia" provides fun and fascinating insights into the history of our little Town.  Indeed, Historic Pelham has assembled a number of Pelham Trivia tests in the past few years.  See:

Thu., Nov. 06, 2014:  Historic Pelham Trivia Test -- One of the World's Most Difficult Exams! 

Wed., Jul. 22, 2015:  More Pelham Trivia.

Tue., May 30, 2017:  More Pelham Trivia!

Today's Pelham Trivia question seems to deserve an entire article!  The question:  what two Pelham residents are the subject of songs in the Broadway Musical mega-hit Hamilton An American Musical?  The answer:  Aaron Burr, featured in songs including "Aaron Burr, Sir" and Theodosia Burr, featured in the song "Dear Theodosia."  

Aaron Burr, who served as third Vice President of the United States during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson and fought the infamous duel with, and mortally wounded, Alexander Hamilton on July 11, 1804, spent time in Pelham.  He bought a farm there (including a home known as "The Shrubbery").  He promptly sold the farm and home to his step-son Augustine J. F. Prevost.  He married Theodosia Bartow Prevost, a widow born in the Manor of Pelham who was ten years his senior.  In fact, I have written extensively of Aaron Burr and his many ties to Pelham.  (See the extensive list of such articles at the end of today's posting.) 


Portrait of Aaron Burr, 1802, by John Vanderlyn.
Source:  Wikimedia Commons.

Hamilton An American Musical is a mega-hit Broadway musical based on the life of Alexander Hamilton with music, lyrics and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda.  The musical was inspired by the biography Alexander Hamilton by noted historian Ron Chernow published in 2004.  The musical received a record 16 Tony nominations in 2016 and won 11 including Best Musical.  The same year it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.  Its music incorporates elements of rap, hip hop, rhythm and blues, pop, soul, and even traditional-style Broadway show tunes.  Two lovely songs from the musical are "Dear Theodosia" and "Aaron Burr, Sir" both about Pelham residents.

While one is tempted to assume merely from the title of the song "Dear Theodosia" that the subject of the song is Burr's beloved wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr, it is not.  The song is about Burr's beautiful and enigmatic daughter who was named after her mother.

In this song, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton sing about children they and their wives each had shortly after the Revolutionary War ended.  Burr sings of his beloved infant daughter, Theodosia, while Hamilton sings of his baby son, Philip.  The two men focus in the song on their realization that the new nation they just have formed holds endless promise for their offspring and all others like them if the founders continue to lay a strong enough foundation for the future of the infant nation.  The song also reaffirms uncanny similarities between the two men whose lives would intersect so tragically on July 11, 1804, noting that both were orphans, nation builders, Revolutionary War figures, new parents with all the fears and worries that entails, and men who promised to lay a "strong enough foundation" to ensure the success of the infant nation.  The lyrics of the song say:

[SUNG BY BURR] 

Dear Theodosia, what to say to you? 
You have my eyes. You have your mother’s name 

When you came into the world, you cried and it broke my heart 

I’m dedicating every day to you 
Domestic life was never quite my style 
When you smile, you knock me out, 
I fall apart 
And I thought I was so smart 

You will come of age with our young nation 
We’ll bleed and fight for you, 
we’ll make it right for you 
If we lay a strong enough foundation 
We’ll pass it on to you, we’ll give the world to you 
And you’ll blow us all away . . . 
Someday, someday 
Yeah, you’ll blow us all away 
Someday, someday 

[SUNG BY HAMILTON] 

Oh Philip, when you smile I am undone 
My son 
Look at my son. 
Pride is not the word I’m looking for 

There is so much more inside me now 
Oh Philip, you outshine the morning sun 
My son 
When you smile, I fall apart 
And I thought I was so smart 
My father wasn’t around

[SUNG BY BURR] 

My father wasn’t around 

[SUNG BY HAMILTON AND BURR] 

I swear that I’ll be around for you (I’ll be around for you) 

[SUNG BY HAMILTON] 

I’ll do whatever it takes 

[SUNG BY BURR] 

I’ll make a million mistakes 

[SUNG BY BURR AND HAMILTON] 

I’ll make the world safe and sound for you . . . 
. . . Will come of age with our young nation 
We’ll bleed and fight for you, we’ll make it right for you 

If we lay a strong enough foundation 
We’ll pass it on to you, 
we’ll give the world to you 
And you’ll blow us all away . . . 
Someday, someday 
Yeah, you’ll blow us all away 
Someday, someday


Cover Art from Original Broadway Cast Recording of
"Hamilton An American Musical".  NOTE:  Image is
Embedded from Another Location and May Not Display
if Original is Removed or Relocated by Copyright Owner.

Aaron Burr married the widow Theodosia Bartow Prevost on July 2, 1782.  About a year later the couple had a daughter whom they named Theodosia after her mother.  According to a number of authorities and evidence from the correspondence of Theodosia Bartow Prevost, Aaron Burr and his wife bought a farm on Split Rock Road, promptly sold it to a stepson, then spent many summers on the Pelham property with Burr's stepson and family.  Little Theodosia and her father cavorted and enjoyed the Pelham countryside.  As one brief biography states:

"His Estate 

On February 6, 1790, Aaron Burr bought an estate in Westchester. 

It comprised 155 acres of land lying near the Eastchester Creek and bound by property owned by the Pells. This, too, had been Pell property, for though Burr paid 800 pounds for it to Nicholas Wright of Pelham Manor and William Wright of Oyster Bay, it had been the estate of Joshua Pell and from him had descended to his son, Joshua, Jr. The first Joshua was the son of Thomas, third lord of the manor, and of his Indian wife, Anna, daughter of Wampage.) 

A month after Burr bought the property he turned it over to his step-son, Augustine James Frederick Prevost, 'in consideration of the love and affection which he (Burr) bears Augustine. . . ' And for the sum of ten shillings. This was on March 1, 1790. The property remained in the Prevost family until 1898, when on October 6, Adelaide S. Prevost, widow of George A., deeded it over to the Pelham Summer home for Children. 

Apples 

At the time of Burr's purchase a fine mansion, called 'The Shrubbery,' stood on the property. It was only about thirty years old then, having been built around 1760; its entrance stood just north of Split Rock. This was one of the best farms in the county, especially renowned for its apple orchard. During the Revolution, a few years previous, Colonel Leommi Baldwin, commanding one of the regiments which took part in the Battle of Pelham, noted the orchard. When the war was over, he obtained some of the trees, took them to his home at Woburn, Mass., where he was a noted horticulturist, and proceeded to develop the Baldwin apple. 

Colonel Burr's stepson -- of whom he was as fond as of his own children -- lived in 'The Shrubbery,' and here the Colonel, no longer a military figure but one of America's most famous lawyers, came with his wife for the Summers. He had become Attorney General; he was to become, in 1791, a United States Senator, after a bitter campaign, in which he defeated General Philip Schuyler, and added fuel to the fierce hatred smouldering between him and Alexander Hamilton, for Schuyler was Hamilton's father-in-law. Burr sat also in the New York Assembly. 

Church Has His Paper 

It is quite possible that it was during his visits to Augustine Prevost's home he appeared in legal cases in the old Eastchester church where there is still cherished a legal document signed with Burr's name. Burr lived at this time in Richmond Hill, the Greenwich Village estate then far out in the country but on property now bounded by King, Varick, Charleston and McDougal Streets. Little Theodosia Burr must have played, those Summers of long ago, on the lawns near Split Rock Road. (She was the only one of her father's four legitimate children to survive. Two boys were stillborn and a little sister, Sally, died in babyhood. Theodosia herself, the wife of John Alston, Governor of South Carolina, was lost at sea.)"

Source:  Cushman, Elizabeth, Aaron Burr, The Great Lover, Used Barge To Reach Only Woman He Ever Cared For, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 31, 1931, p. 12, cols. 1-3.

As one would expect, another important song in the musical is about Aaron Burr.  Entitled "Aaron Burr, Sir," it is sung, once again, principally by the actors portraying Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr although portions include other members of the company as well.  

The song depicts the first meeting between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and their subsequent encounter with John Laurens, Hercules Mulligan and the Marquis de Lafayette at a local tavern in New York City.  These latter three, of course, became important players in the American Revolutionary War and grew close to Alexander Hamilton.  The song serves to introduce two young men raised as orphans with different backgrounds but similar aspirations.  It further establishes that although each is intensely competitive and ambitious, they have very different philosophies regarding how they will reach their own potential.  Moreover, the encounter with Laurens, Mulligan, and the Marquis de Lafayette seems to reinforce the notion that Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were competitors rather than friends from the outset and that Alexander Hamilton grew a circle of friends whom he liked better -- a circle that never included Burr.  The lyrics of the song say:

[SETTING:  1776 IN NEW YORK CITY]
[HAMILTON SINGS]

Pardon me, are you Aaron Burr, sir? 

[BURR SINGS]

That depends, who’s asking? 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

Oh, well sure, sir 
I’m Alexander Hamilton, 
I’m at your service, sir 
I have been looking for you 

[BURR SINGS]

I’m getting nervous 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

Sir, I heard your name at Princeton 
I was seeking an accelerated course of study 
When I got sort of out of sorts with a buddy of yours 
I may have punched him it’s a blur, sir 
He handles the financials? 

[BURR SINGS] 

You punched the bursar? 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

Yes, I wanted to do what you did 
Graduate in two, then join the revolution.
He looked at me like I was stupid 
I’m not stupid 
So how’d you do it, 
how’d you graduate so fast? 

[BURR SINGS]

It was my parent's dying wish before they passed 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

You're an orphan?  Of course I’m an orphan 
God, I wish there was a war 
Then we could prove that we’re worth more 
than anyone bargained for 

[BURR SINGS]

Can I buy you a drink? 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

That would be nice 

[BURR SINGS] 

While we’re talking, let me offer you some free advice 
Talk less 

[HAMILTON SINGS] 

What? 

[BURR SINGS]

Smile more 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

Ha 

[BURR SINGS]

Don’t let them know what you're against or what you're for 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

You can't be serious 

[BURR SINGS]

You wanna get ahead? 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

Yes 

[BURR SINGS]

Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead 

[LAURENS SINGS]

Yo yo yo yo yo 
What time is it? 

[LAURENS, LAFAYETTE, AND MULLIGAN SING]

Show time! 

[BURR SINGS]

Like I said . . .  

[LAURENS SINGS]

Show time, show time Yo! 
I’m John Lauren's in the place to be! 
Two pints o’ Sam Adams, but I’m workin' on three, uh! 
Those redcoats don’t want it with me 
'Cause I will pop chick-a pop these cops till I’m free 

[LAFAYETTE SINGS]

Oui oui, mon ami, je m’appelle Lafayette!
The Lancelot of the revolutionary set! 
I came from afar just to say bonsoir!
Tell the king "casse-toi." 
Who’s the best? C’est moi 

[MULLIGAN SINGS]

Brrrah, brraaah!  I am Hercules Mulligan 
Up in it, lovin' it, yes I heard ya mother said 
Come again? 

[LAFAYETTE AND LAURENS SING]

Ay, lock up ya daughters and horses, of course 
It’s hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets . . . 

[LAFAYETTE SINGS]

Wow!

[LAURENS SINGS]

No more sex, pour me another brew, son! 
Let’s raise a couple more . . . 

[LAURENS, LAFAYETTE, AND MULLIGAN SING]

To the revolution! 

[LAURENS SINGS]

Well, if it ain’t the prodigy of Princeton college! 

[MULLIGAN SINGS]

Aaron Burr! 

[LAURENS SINGS]

Give us a verse, drop some knowledge! 

[BURR SINGS]

Good luck with that, you’re takin' a stand 
You spit, I’m 'a sit.  We’ll see where we land 

[LAFAYETTE AND MULLIGAN SING]

Boo! 

[LAURENS SINGS]

Burr, the revolution’s imminent. 
What do you stall for? 

[HAMILTON SINGS]

If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for? 

[MULLIGAN, LAFAYETTE, AND LAURENS SING]

Ooh!
Who you? 
Ooh, who you? 
Oh, who are you? 
Ooh, who is this kid, what’s he gonna do?

"Aaron Burr, Sir" and "Dear Theodosia" are two Broadway musical numbers that provide important insights into the lives of two Pelhamites who enjoyed days in the Manor of Pelham nearly 230 years ago:  Aaron Burr and his beloved daughter Theodosia Burr.

*          *          *          *          *

I have written about Aaron Burr, Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr, Augustine J. Frederick Prevost and the Burr home on Split Rock Road known as "The Shrubbery" on a number of occasions.  For examples of such earlier postings, see the following:

Wed., Feb. 10, 2016:  Slaves Likely Were Held, and Forced to Work, at the Shrubbery, Once Located Near Split Rock Road in Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 13, 2017:  The Prevost Mansion Known as The Shrubbery, Once Owned by Aaron Burr, Burned December 31, 1880.

Thu., May 21, 2015:  Pelham Manor Romance:  A Tale of Aaron Burr and His Love, Theodosia Bartow Prevost of the Manor of Pelham.  

Thu., Apr. 23, 2015:  Augustine James Frederick Prevost of The Shrubbery in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Sep. 30, 2014:  Pelham Resident Recorded His Impressions of Meeting Aaron Burr.

Fri., Feb. 7, 2014:  Early History of The Pelham Home for Children, an Early Pelham Charity (Notes that The Pelham Home for Children first occupied the Shrubbery before the building burned in the 1890s).

Wed., Aug. 1, 2007:  1805 Real Estate Advertisement Offering Prevost Estate in Pelham for Sale.

Mon., Jun. 4, 2007:  Abstract of 1797 Will of John Bartow, Sr. Who Owned Land in Pelham and Whose Family Became Early Pelham Residents.

Wed., Jan. 31, 2007:  A Large Distillery Once Stood on the Prevost Farm in Pelham During the 1790s.

Tue., Jul. 18, 2006: Aaron Burr Tries to Pull a Fast One in the 1790s and Must Sell His Farm in Pelham.


Wed., Jun. 14, 2006: Text of Deed by Which Aaron Burr Acquired Pelham Lands in 1790

Thu., Apr. 14, 2005: The Pelham Home for Children that Once Stood on Split Rock Road

Mon., Oct. 2, 2006: The Revolutionary War Diary of Loyalist Joshua Pell, Jr. of the Manor of Pelham.



"The Shrubbery," a Home That Once Belonged to Aaron Burr
and, Later, His Stepson, Augustine James Frederick Prevost
and Stood Along Today's Split Rock Road in Pelham Manor.
Source:  Courtesy of The Office of The Historian of the Town of Pelham.

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Monday, October 02, 2017

Broadway Composer Harry Tierney and Broadway Lyricist Joseph McCarthy, Both of Pelham


Rodgers and Hammerstein! Kander and Ebb! Rodgers and Hart!  These are a few of the most successful musical theater partnerships of composers and lyricists of all time.  Add to that list Tierney and McCarthy of Pelham.  

Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy of Pelham, New York, collaborated for a string of successful Broadway musicals during the 1920s.  The most famous and most successful one was "Rio Rita" produced by Florenz Ziegfeld.  It premiered on Broadway on February 2, 1927 and ran for 494 performances, a surprisingly long run for those days.

Harry Tierney wrote the music.  Joseph McCarthy authored the lyrics.  The show subsequently hit the road and ran in Sydney, Australia and on London's West End.  According to one source:  

"Rio Rita may be said to be one of the last, great, "light musical comedies" or "Follies-based" type of musical. With the introduction of Show Boat, later in 1927—as well as the subsequent introduction of George Gershwin's musicals that year and thought the early 30's -- the American musical became much more a dramatically cohesive "musical play". This form reached its maturity in the Rodgers and Hammerstein productions, beginning with Oklahoma! and culminating with South Pacific."

Source:  "Rio Rita (Musical)" in Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Sep. 23, 2017).

With the tremendous success of "Rio Rita" on stage, the musical was taken to the silver screen in 1929 where it likewise became a tremendous hit.  Produced by William LeBaron and Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, the film was 141 minutes long.  It cost $678,000 to make and earned $2,400,000 at the box office.  It became known as RKO Radio Pictures' "Picture of the Century."  As a consequence, the careers of Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy as movie songwriters took off.  Indeed, the pair repeatedly traveled cross-country to Hollywood to work on the musical scores of a number of hit Hollywood movies.  



Lobby Card for the 1929 Movie "Rio Rita."

Tierney and McCarthy had a number of notable Broadway successes as composer and lyricist, respectively.  One such success was "Kid Boots" which opened at the Earl Carroll Theatre on December 31, 1923.  It had a run of 489 performances.  It starred Eddie Cantor and Mary Eaton, and featured George Olsen and his orchestra.  

Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, the show was advertised as "A Musical Comedy of Palm Beach and Golf."  The show was such a success that, like its later cousin "Rio Rita," it was turned into a successful Hollywood movie released in 1926.  



Poster Advertising 1923 Broadway Musical
"Kid Boots."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Harry Tierney was a successful and famous composer when he bought a home on Boulevard at Monterey Avenue during the summer of 1923.  He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on May 21, 1890 and died March 22, 1965.  His first major success was the Broadway musical "Irene" that was the longest-running show of its era with 620 performances.  The most active part of his career was between about 1910 and 1930.  During the 1920s, he often collaborated a composer with lyricist Joseph McCarthy.

Joseph McCarthy lived in Pelham during the 1920s.  Due to his fame, he was a friend and acquaintance of many stars of the day including John J. McGraw, Manager of the New York Giants baseball team (who lived in Pelham), Florenz Ziegfeld, and many stars of the stage and screen.  He was known as a local philanthropist and liked to tell the story of how he and his Pelham pal, Harry Tierney, once helped Florenz Ziegfeld.

It seems that Ziegfeld was producing a show in Philadelphia and needed a song for the show opening on a Monday night.  Ziegfeld contacted the pair and set them to work.  On Sunday morning, the day before the show opened, Tierney and McCarthy wrote the music and lyrics for the song and telephoned the music and words to the orchestra conductor in Philadelphia later that day.  The pair then traveled the next day to Philadelphia, attended the show, and enjoyed their own creation that later was described as follows:  "It's daintiness and musical beauty was a reflection of [McCarthy's] own courtly engaging personality."

Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy wrote a memorable song that virtually became a Pelham anthem mentioned in countless local newspaper articles for a decade or longer as a tune known by every Pelhamite and beloved by all.  It was entitled "Alice Blue Gown."  Indeed, in 1943, The Pelham Sun wrote that the song would "survive the centuries."  The newspaper may have been right.  To hear a recording of Joni James singing the beautiful song, click on the YouTube video below.


Joseph McCarthy died on Saturday, December 18, 1943. 



"HARRY TIERNEY AND SON HARRY JR.  Mr. Tierney who
makes his home on the Boulevard, Pelham Heights, is a well
known composer of popular music.  Mr. Tierney wrote the 
musical scores of 'Rio Rita,' 'Irene,' and many other musical
comedies and motion pictures."  Source:  HARRY TIERNEY
AND SON HARRY JR., The Pelham Sun, Apr. 24, 1936,
Vol. 27, No. 3, Second Section, p. 9, cols. 3-4.  NOTE:
Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *         *          *

"Famous Song Writer Comes to Pelham
-----

Harry Tierney, composer of the music of 'Irene,' 'Up She Goes,' and 'The Follies,' has purchased from David S. Crater a new house at Monterey Avenue and the Boulevard.  The property was held at $75,000 and the sale was negotiated by the local office of Fish & Marvin."

Source:  Famous Song Writer Comes to Pelham, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 6, 1923, p. 3, col. 7.  

"HARRY TIERNEY BUYS ANOTHER PLOT IN PELHAM

Fish & Marvin, through their Pelham office, have sold for the Witherbee Real Estate & Improvement Company an acre plot in the Mt. Tom section of Pelham Manor to John Smith.  The property was held at $20,000.00.

Fish & Marvin, through their Pelham office, have sold for Dr. A. C. Bechtold a plot of land on Elderwood avenue, Pelham Heights, to Mr. Harry Tierney, well known composer of Pelham.  The property was held at $14,000.00."

Source:  HARRY TIERNEY BUYS ANOTHER PLOT IN PELHAM, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 6, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 36, p. 11, col. 1.  

"McCarthy and Tierney At Work on Ziegfeld Show
-----

Melody continues to flow in Pelham Heights where the pennant winning song writing team of Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney are busily engaged preparing the music and lyrics for Florenz Ziegfeld's [sic] new production 'Rio Rita,' which will be the curtain raising vehicle in t he new Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, November 1.  Tierney and McCarthy were responsible for the tuneful melodies of many New York successes including several editions of the Follies and Kid Boots."

Source:  McCarthy and Tierney At Work on Ziegfeld Show, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 27, 1926, p. 10, col. 4.  

"PELHAM SONGWRITERS SCORE WITH NEW PRODUCTION
-----

Joseph McCarthy and Harry Tierney scored again with 'Rio Rita' which opened the new Ziegfield Theatre in New York city Wednesday night.  The tuneful melodies prepared by the two Pelhamites are credited by metropolitan critics as the season's best and Rio Rita assured a long run in New York.  Ada May heads the cast."

Source:  PELHAM SONGWRITERS SCORE WITH NEW PRODUCTION, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 4, 1927, Vol. 17, No. 49, p. 1, col. 3.  

"Tierney and McCarthy To Join Pelhamites In Motion Pictures
-----
Songwriters Preparing To Leave For Hollywood To Write For Talking Pictures
-----

With a large delegation of Pelham's theatrical folk already in Hollywood doing motion picture work, two more of this famous group are preparing to embark for the coast.  They are Harry Tierney and Joseph McCarthy, songwriters extraordinary.  The success of 'Rio Rita' on the screen has assured Tierney and McCarthy a prominent position among motion picture songsters.  We can expect a new crop of theme songs from these twain in an early series of motion pictures.  

Tierney and McCarthy will be remembered for the songs and lyrics of Ziegfeld productions of 'Rio Rita' and 'Kid Boots.'

Edgar J. MacGregor, stage director, John Hunter Booth, author and Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar, songwriters, all of Pelham, are now on the coast doing motion picture work."

Source:  Tierney and McCarthy To Join Pelhamites In Motion Pictures -- Songwriters Preparing To Leave For Hollywood To Write For Talking Pictures, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 11, 1929, p. 20, col. 4.  

"'DIXIANA' MUSIC WAS WRITTEN BY HARRY TIERNEY
-----
Pelham Composer Responsible For Tunes in Motion Picture at Proctor's.
-----

Bebe Daniels and Everett Marshall.  Music by Harry Tierney.

Never has there been a greater singing combination than this youthful, romantic pair, featured in 'Dixiana', coming to Proctor's New Rochelle Theatre tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday.

Miss Daniels surpasses even her phenomenal success in 'Rio Rita.'  Marshall certainly proves his right to the title, the 'Metropolitan Opera's most popular baritone.'

Together they sing a half dozen songs, lilting catchy love lyrics.  They sign solos.  And the songs fit perfectly into the continuity of the vitally interesting romance of that romantic place and time -- New Orleans in 1840.  Due credit for this must be given to Luther Reed, the director and adaptor [sic].

In Radio Pictures' first original music drama, William Le Baron has outdone any previous effort in point of magnificence, story, cast, setting and musical appeal.

Again the inimitable pair of comics, Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, score heavily in the art of funmaking.  Others in the cast who give excellent performances are Joseph Cawthorn, Jobyna Howland, Dorothy Lee, Ralf Harolde, Edward Chandler, George Herman, and Bill Robinson.

Hall's Negro Chorus furnishes choral music throughout the film -- Negro spirituals and songs of the old South.  They score particularly in 'Mr. and Mrs. Ippi.'

To say that Harry Tierney's music and Anne Caldwell's book and lyrics are above criticism, is really superfluous.  The songs are intoxicating.  'Dixiana,' the principal song, is the kind one whistles on the way out of the theater."

Source:  "DIXIANA" MUSIC WAS WRITTEN BY HARRY TIERNEY -- Pelham Composer Responsible For Tunes in Motion Picture at Proctor's, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 26, 1930, Vol. 21, No. 26, p. 3, col. 1.  

"JOS. McCARTHY COMPOSES SONG FOR LIONS CLUB
-----
Pelham Lions Are Singing New Song Written for Them by Noted Composer; Resident of Pelham Heights.
-----

'Roar, Lions Roar,
For More, More, More'

If you hear any prominent local merchant humming those words to a catchy tune you can thank Joseph McCarthy, noted songwriter, for that's what the members of the Lions Club of the Pelhams are doing these days.  The catchy little tune was composed by Mr. McCarthy especially for the Lions Club, and the members of the club are losing no time in putting the number across.

The entire song is as follows:

'Roar, Lions roar
For More, More, More
If you've got a little business,
     you should advertise
Boost that business 'fore the darn 
     thing dies.
Roar, Lions roar
For you shop, your place, your
     store,
Show P-E-L we're up to 'L' H-A-M
And we mean all of them; 
We want More, 
So Roar, Lions Roar.

The club received a surprise on Monday when Mr. McCarthy arrived as the guest of William McNulty toward the close of the program.  The song was quickly distributed and it was but a few minutes before the melody was learned by every member.

Mr. McCarthy, who lives on the Boulevard, is well know as a songwriter, having been responsible for the songs in many Broadway successes and motion pictures.  With Harry Tierney he wrote the music for 'Rio Rita,' 'Up She Goes' and several others.  He is at the present time engaged in preparing the words and music for a new Ziegfeld production.  In this enterprise he is associated with Walter Donaldson."

Source:  JOS. McCARTHY COMPOSES SONG FOR LIONS CLUB -- Pelham Lions Are Singing New Song Written for Them by Noted Composer; Resident of Pelham Heights, The Pelham Sun, Oct. 30, 1931, p. 13, col. 3.

"ASCAP Oddities.

Note to Joseph McCarthy who is back in Pelham for a short stay:  Haven't heard 'Alice Blue Gown' for nearly a week.  That song will live as long as harmony endures.  It was, we think, the greatest hit ever written by the Pelham composer Harry Tierney and lyricist, Joseph McCarthy.  We did hear 'Where Did You Get That Hat,' which is known to all over 80.  A vague idea for a cartoon:  The verger of a church tiptoeing to the organist with an awed warning:  'We're on the air and that's ASCAP you're playing.'"

Source:  ASCAP Oddities, The Pelham Sun. Jan. 10, 1941, p. 2, col. 3.  

"They Pass Into the Night

More than twenty years ago Tom Sheehan a Pelham Heights policeman was found badly injured in New Rochelle.  He died a few days later leaving destitute a widow and a large family.  There was no police protection fund in Pelham at that time.  A letter was sent to a random list of residents of the town.  Among those who came to a meeting was one who quietly gave a check for $50 to start the fund.  Later to stage a baseball game, he used his acquaintanceship with John J. McGraw, of the New York Giants and aided in bringing about a game between the New York Giants and the New York Athletic Club.  A fine handsome man, few knew that the resident of the Boulevard was one of America's great songwriters -- Joseph McCarthy, who died on Saturday.  He was one of the most ardent supporters of his friend, Joseph McCormick when the latter won the election as Supervisor in 1931.  One weekend for Flo Zeigfeld [sic], he and his collaborator Harry Tierney wrote a song in Pelham telephoned the words and music to the orchestra conductor in Philadelphia Sunday morning and then went to the Quaker City to see the song in production on Monday night, an unusual feat.  His 'Alice Blue Gown' will survive the centuries.  It's daintiness and musical beauty was a reflection of his own courtly engaging personality."

Source:  They Pass Into the NightThe Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1943, p. 2, cols. 3-4.


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