Broadway Puzzler #18

Posted: 7/20/03 at 7:06pm

This musical composer was sued with a claim that the title song of this mega hit musical was plagarized from a 1948 tune. The case was won by the plaintiffs. The composer and the musical?

Yours for a better Broadway!

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/20/03 at 9:58pm

Jerry Herman. Hello, Dolly!

[MlleDaae]

Posted: 7/21/03 at 6:40pm

Is the song you're talking about "Make 'em Laugh" or "Be A Clown"?
 

Updated On: 7/12/19 at 06:40 PM

Posted: 7/21/03 at 7:05pm

Chris is correct.

Jerry Herman, indeed, and HELLO, DOLLY!

The other song in question is entitled "Sunflower." The plaintiffs were Mack David and Paramount-Famous Music Company.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/21/03 at 7:28pm

WOO HOO!

Bulldog:
I've also seen this song referred to as "Sunflower Song" and "Sunflower Song (The Kansas Song)." That's the same song by Mack David, right?

Updated On: 7/21/03 at 07:28 PM

Posted: 7/22/03 at 9:19pm

Yes, Chris. "Sunflower" by Mack David.

It appears that ALW is not against borrowing tunes from other composers...especially Puccini.

But that's another topic.

Yours for a better Broadway!

[TheatreNut]

Posted: 7/22/03 at 10:29pm

Of course he isn't here to press charges against anyone. Many of the composers of Broadway "steal" some classic tunes. Some more changed than others.

[alterego]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 10:00am

Wasn't Andrew Lloyd Webber sued for "lifting" the melody for Memory from the Charles Aznavour song 'She'? I seem to recall it cost him something like $4 million.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/23/03 at 10:07am

I will never forget the first time I heard MEMORY. It was sung by a puppet on some late night talk show and I was humming along thinking "Oh, I love this song". Then they said it was from a new musical, CATS. How did I know the tune? I had never head this song before.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/24/03 at 4:48am

You never know: Years ago on Name That Tune (or Maim That Baboon as it was known in my house) A musicologist up for the million $ prize heard a song and said it was an old English air cld "If You Would Marry Me". EEEEEE wrong said the show it is cld a"A Paper Full of Pins" or the Theme from "BusStop" Well end of story show returns next year & Guess What? Note for Note it was the same song and he was awarded a cheque ( somewhat belatedly) for his prize $$. And now when ever i hear that song used, it is also Id'd as all three. You really never know!!!