Buddy DeSylva

George Gard De Sylva (also: B. G. DeSylva, Bud G. DeSylva, Buddy Gard DeSylva, born January 27, 1895 in New York City; † July 1, 1950 in Hollywood, California ) was an American songwriter, playwright, screenwriter and film producer. DeSylva was the son of silent film actor Hal De Forrest.

Buddy DeSylva was discovered in 1918 by Al Jolson and from then on worked as a songwriter for the Tin Pan Alley in New York. Songs for which he wrote the lyrics and composed the music occasionally, were used in Broadway shows such as the Ziegfeld Follies in various editions or the George White's Scandals, and in musical comedies. For several revues and musical comedies DeSylva worked with George Gershwin together, eg: La, La, Lucille (1919 ); The French Doll ( 1920), Sweet Little Devil ( 1924) and Tell Me More ( 1925). The most popular hit from this period is the song Look for the Silver Lining (music by Jerome Kern ) from the musical Sally (1920).

1925 began working with Lew Brown and Ray Henderson; in this period that a number of revues and musicals, including: Manhattan Mary ( 1927), Hold Everything! (1928) and Follow Thru ( 1929). For successful show, the musical Good News of 1927 Most of these musicals were then filmed in Hollywood.; 1929 worked the " songwriting trio" for the film Sunny Side Up.

Early 1930 DeSylva separated from Henderson and Brown and was active in Hollywood as a film producer. He had great success with some Shirley Temple movies like The Little Colonel (1935 ), The Littlest Rebel (1935 ) and Poor Little Rich Girl (1936). Early 1940 he became the chief producer of Paramount Pictures. During his time in Hollywood DeSylva remained active for some projects on Broadway, especially as author and producer (together with Laurence Schwab ). Worth mentioning would be this: Du Barry Was a Lady ( 1939), Louisiana Purchase (1940 ), Panama Hattie ( 1940).

1942 DeSylva founded together with Glenn Wallichs and Johnny Mercer, the record company, Capitol Records.