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Vernon Duke

Biography

Vernon Duke was being among the most well-known composers from the Depression period, scoring some hits like the standards “Apr in Paris,” “Fall in NY,” and “I CANNOT BEGIN”; under his true name Vladimir Dukelsky, he also appreciated a concurrent profession in traditional music. Born Oct 10, 1903, in Parafianovo, Russia, he grew up in Kiev, with age group 11 was accepted towards the Kiev Conservatory, learning structure under Reinhold Gliere and theory under Boleslaw Jaworski. Civil unrest pressured the Dukelsky family members to flee Russia in 1919, and after spending some 1 . 5 years in Constantinople, they resolved in NEW YORK in 1921. There, Dukelsky befriended George Gershwin, who recommended he Americanize his name to Vernon Duke; although he produced the modification for the Gershwin-inspired pop materials he began composing at that same period, the composer maintained his provided name for his even more ambitious musical tasks in addition to his poetry. Duke resolved in Paris in 1924, finding a commission payment from Serge Diaghilev to compose the ballet Zephyr and Flora, which premiered the next yr; although his “Initial Symphony” was performed in 1928 by Serge Koussevitzky and his orchestra, he spent a lot of the second option fifty percent of the 10 years in London, composing for the musical stage. Duke came back to NY in 1929 and started composing for Broadway, teaming with lyricist Yip Harburg to rating his first main pop strike with “Apr in Paris,” through the 1932 musical Walk just a little Faster. He authored his personal lyrics for “Fall months in NY,” from 1934’s Thumbs Up, which same yr also penned “I LOVE famous brands You” and “WHAT’S There to state” for the Ziegfeld Follies, to whom he later on contributed “I CANNOT BEGIN,” “An Isle in the Western world Indies,” and “That Minute of Occasions” aswell. For the time being, as Dukelsky he continuing focusing on ballets (1934’s Jardin Community, from a situation by André Gide), concertos (“Dédicaces [Posviashcheniia]”), and oratories (“THE FINISH of St. Petersburg,” probably his most complicated structure). Duke’s most significant commercial success implemented using the 1940 Broadway premiere of Cabin in the Sky, an all-black musical choreographed by George Balanchine; Ethel Waters presented the production’s most well-known number, “Going for a Possibility on Appreciate.” 2 yrs later, Duke got into the U.S. Navy, but following the battle his profession floundered, and in 1946 he came back to Paris before settling in California 2 yrs afterwards. In 1952, he collaborated over the musical Two’s Firm with Ogden Nash, and in 1957 wedded vocalist Kay McCracken. Five years afterwards, Duke released his first publication of poetry, Epistles; his memoir Passport to Paris made an appearance several years previously, and he additionally released dozens of content articles in both British and Russian. 1966’s “Anima Eroica (Ode to St. Brigitte)” was Duke’s last main completed function; he died throughout a lung cancer procedure on January 16, 1969.

Quick Facts


Full Name Vernon Duke
Died January 16, 1969, Santa Monica, California, United States
Profession Songwriter, Film Score Composer
Education Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine
Nationality American, Russian
Spouse Kay McCracken
Albums Time Remembered (Original Film Soundtrack), Original Music from Albert Marre's Production of "Time Remembered", Dawn Upshaw Sings Vernon Duke
Movies Cabin in the Sky, The Goldwyn Follies, The Night Angel, Tarnished Lady, Honor Among Lovers, Follow Thru, Laughter, The Sap from Syracuse, The Dance of Life, The Wedding March, The Angry God


  • Facts
  • Filmography
  • Awards
  • Salaries
  • Quotes
  • Trademarks
  • Pictures

#Fact
1 Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.


Soundtrack

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
I Love Lucy 1952 TV Series music - 1 episode
She's Working Her Way Through College 1952 music: "All Hail to Midwest State" uncredited, "I'll Be Loving You", "Midwest Fight Song" uncredited, "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of", "Love Is Still for Free", " You've Got to Give 'em What They Want" uncredited
Scent-imental Romeo 1951 Short music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
I'll Get By 1950 music: "Takin' a Chance on Love"
Backfire 1950 music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
The Angry God 1948 music: "Song of Our Love"
11th. Naval District 'United States Coast Guard Band' 1944 Short music: "The Silver Shield"
Hollywood Canteen 1944 music: "We're Having a Baby" 1941
Crazy House 1943 music: "My Song Without Words" - uncredited
I Dood It 1943 music: "Taking a Chance on Love" 1940
Cabin in the Sky 1943 music: "Cabin in the Sky" 1940, "Taking a Chance on Love" 1940, "Honey in the Honeycomb" 1940 - uncredited
Gatans serenad 1941 Short writer: "Taking a Chance on Love Han var den bättre där"
The Goldwyn Follies 1938 music: "Romeo and Juliet Ballet" 1937, "Love Is Here to Stay" 1937, "Water Nymph Ballet" 1937, "Spring Again" 1937, "I'm Not Complaining" 1937 - uncredited
Harold Teen 1934 music: "This Is Romance" - uncredited
Devil Sea 1931 Short music: "Old Devil Sea" - uncredited
Office Blues 1930 Short music: "We Can't Get Along", "Dear Sir" - uncredited
The Sap from Syracuse 1930 music: "Capitalize That Thing Called It"
Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 writer: "I Can't Get Started"
My First Apartamento: Christiaan Houtenbos 2015 Documentary short music: "Taking a Chance on Love"
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn 2014 writer: "Autumn in New York"
Bi no tsubo 2013 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Moonlight Serenade 2009 Video writer: "Taking a Chance on Love"
Grand Theft Auto IV 2008 Video Game writer: "April in Paris" - as V. Duke
Le héros de la famille 2006 writer: "Taking a Chance on Love"
Big Love 2006 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Anything Else 2003 writer: "I Can't Get Started"
The Last of the Blonde Bombshells 2000 TV Movie music: "Taking a Chance on Love"
RKO 281 1999 TV Movie writer: "I Can't Get Started"
The Cruise 1998 Documentary writer: "Autumn In New York"
The Shining 1997 TV Mini-Series music: "I Can't Get Started"
Basquiat 1996 writer: "April in Paris"
Forget Paris 1995 writer: "April In Paris"
The Pickle 1993 writer: "Autumn in New York"
Sinatra 1992 TV Mini-Series writer: "Autumn in New York"
Nightmare Cafe 1992 TV Series music: "Taking a Chance on Love"
Cheers 1990 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Avalon 1990 music: "I Can't Get Started"
Tune in Tomorrow... 1990 writer: "I Can't Get Started"
Crimes and Misdemeanors 1989 music: "Taking a Chance on Love" 1940
When Harry Met Sally... 1989 writer: "Autumn In New York"
Distant Voices, Still Lives 1988 writer: "Taking a Chance on Love" - uncredited
Mr. Belvedere 1986 TV Series music - 1 episode
'Round Midnight 1986 writer: "Autumn in New York"
Spies Like Us 1985 writer: "I'LL BE LOVING YOU"
The Jewel in the Crown 1984 TV Mini-Series writer - 1 episode
Saturday Night Live 1977 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Dinah! 1976 TV Series writer - 1 episode
That's Entertainment, Part II 1976 Documentary music: "Taking a Chance on Love" 1940 - uncredited
The Mike Douglas Show 1976 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Frank Sinatra: The Main Event 1974 TV Movie documentary writer: "Autumn in New York" - uncredited
Chinatown 1974 "I Can't Get Started"
Pen Pals 1974 writer: "I Can't Get Started" - uncredited
Blazing Saddles 1974 music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
Save the Tiger 1973 writer: "I Can't Get Started"
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1972 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Johnny Carson Presents the Sun City Scandals '72 1972 TV Movie writer: "Just Like a Man", "Taking a Chance on Love"
The Pearl Bailey Show 1971 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Hippydrome Tiger 1968 Short music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
Frankly Jazz 1962 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Glenn Miller Time 1961 TV Series music - 1 episode
Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall TV Series music - 3 episodes, 1958 - 1961 writer - 3 episodes, 1950 - 1959
The Lawrence Welk Show 1961 TV Series music - 1 episode
Peter Gunn 1961 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Bachelor Father 1961 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Trip for Tat 1960 Short music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
Who Scent You? 1960 Short music: "April in Paris"
The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: To the Ladies 1960 TV Special music: "Ring the Bell" - uncredited
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show 1959 TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Some of Manie's Friends 1959 TV Movie music: "Taking a Chance on Love" - uncredited
Jazz Party 1958 TV Series writer - 2 episodes
The Frank Sinatra Show TV Series music - 2 episodes, 1958 writer - 1 episode, 1958
The Lux Show 1957 TV Series music - 1 episode
The Helen Morgan Story 1957 music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
The Nat King Cole Show 1957 TV Series music - 1 episode
A Hatful of Rain 1957 music: "Taking a Chance on Love" - uncredited
This Could Be the Night 1957 music: "Taking A Chance On Love" - uncredited
Make Room for Daddy 1957 TV Series music - 1 episode
The Steve Allen Plymouth Show TV Series writer - 2 episodes, 1956 music - 1 episode, 1956
You Bet Your Life TV Series writer - 1 episode, 1956 music - 1 episode, 1954
The Rosemary Clooney Show 1956 TV Series music - 1 episode
Stork Naked 1955 Short music: "April in Paris" - uncredited
Remains to Be Seen 1953 music: "Taking a Chance on Love" - uncredited
Our Miss Brooks 1953 TV Series writer - 1 episode
April in Paris 1952 music: "April in Paris" 1932, "It Must Be Good" uncredited, "I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight" uncredited, "That's What Makes Paris Paree" uncredited, "Life Is Such A Pleasure", "I'm Going to Rock the Boat" uncredited, "Give Me Your Lips" uncredited, "I Ask You" uncredited, "The Place You Hold in My Heart" uncredited, "I Know a Place" uncredited

Music Department

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Chance in a Million 1984-1986 TV Series composer - 18 episodes
April in Paris 1952 music: original songs
Cabin in the Sky 1943 music by
The Goldwyn Follies 1938 ballet music: additional songs by
Heads Up 1930 music arranger - uncredited

Composer

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Song by Song 1978 TV Series 2 episodes
Time Remembered 1961/I TV Movie
The Angry God 1948
Battle Stations 1944 Documentary short
Secrets of a Secretary 1931 uncredited
Night Angel 1931 uncredited
Tarnished Lady 1931 uncredited
Honor Among Lovers 1931
Follow Thru 1930 uncredited
Laughter 1930 uncredited
The Sap from Syracuse 1930 uncredited
The Dance of Life 1929 1930, uncredited
The Wedding March 1928 1930, uncredited

Actor

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Avengers 1963 TV Series Club Patron

Thanks

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
That's Entertainment, Part II 1976 Documentary acknowledgement: the special style and content of the musical sequences were created by
That's Entertainment! 1974 acknowledgment: composer of the words and music

Self

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Floor Show 1949 TV Series Himself

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