Born May 1st in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1901. Commenced piano lessons with mother at age 4,
1905. Soloed on piano at the Majestic Vaudeville Theater House on Wisconsin Avenue at age
12. Played in theater pit orchestras and ensembles at local theaters and hotels with his
brother Edgar, a cellist, at age 14. Attended the Ring Street School, North Division High
School, and graduated from the Wisconsin College of Music in 1920. Traveled to Germany to
study with Hugo Kaun, Ferrucio Busoni, and Egon Petri. Debuted on piano with the Berlin
Philharmonic Orchestra in 1922. Returned to Milwaukee to conduct local orchestras at the
Alhambra, Strand, and Wisconsin Theaters, as well as the Plankinton Hotel Orchestra,
1923-1927. Directed the Rialto Theater Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Returned to Europe and
managed Milwaukee film magnate Carl Laemmle's European film houses and conducted the Berlin
Symphony Orchestra's "pop" concerts for 2 years, 1928-1929. Moved to Hollywood to write the
music for All Quiet on the Western Front, produced by Carl
Laemmle, 1930. Received Academy Award for jointly scoring (with Ray Heindorf) the musical,
Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942. Appointed Chief of Film,
Theater, and Music Sections of the Information Control Division of the U.S. Forces in
Europe, 1945. Affiliated with the Hal Roach organization, 1947. Wrote music for over 300
Warner Brothers, Paramount, MGM, and other film studio productions. Credits include All Quiet on the Western Front, Ruby
Gentry, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Strawberry Blonde, and Shine on Harvest Moon.
Premier performance of Serenade to a Ballerina, performed by
the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, Fish Creek, Wisconsin, 1964. Died February 11th in
California, 1985.
