Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?: The Life of Composer Jay Gorney [Paperback]

Gorney, wife of popular songwriter Jay Gorney (1896-1990), recounts the life and career of her husband, known for his song Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? She describes his childhood in Russia, life in New York and Hollywood, career on Broadway, songs for films, and experience being blacklisted in the 1950s. Appendixes list his Broadway shows and songs, and film, radio, and television music.Jay Gorney gave America 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?' and was blacklisted for his troubles. The depression, the blacklist, show business - it's all here in Sondra Gorney's loving Valentine to her late husband.Jay lived in a life centered around art and ideals and his story is one that needs to be told. This book is wonderful!Jay Gorney was an exceptionally talented theatre composer and a wonderful human being. Jay's quintessential music to Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (the anthem of the Great Depression) inspired my father, Yip, to write as great a lyric. This book illuminates Jay's life and work.I was privileged to know Jay Gorney and admire him personally, long before I read this unusually thoughtful biography that reflects on his richly varied career on Broadway and in Hollywood - as an important composer and songwriter as well as film producer. The author brings all the intimacy of her close relationship with the subject into this faceted portrait of a man whose decency always illuminated his work and whose integrity helped him to triumph over the blacklist.This memoir of Jay Gorney by his wife of more than 45 years chronicles the life of one of American music's most prolific and respected composers. From Gorney's childhood in Russia to his many stage and screen successes, this book is a tribute to a man whose humanity, kindness, and courage triumphed over adversity.In January 2005 the Grammys announced their annual Hall of Fame inductees. Included on the list was Bing Crosby's 1932 recording of Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?, the anthem of the Great Depression. Jlă