A wildly
playful writer who penned antic verse (and choice romantic lyrics) for the
musicals Bloomer Girl, Finian's Rainbow, Jamaica, The Happiest Girl in
the World, Darling of the Day, Flahooley and the film "The Wizard
of Oz," Harburg (1896-1981) was also fiercely supportive of liberal social
causes.
His political feelings often seeped into his shows, offering views on
slavery, freedom, women's suffrage, class, the arms race, war and more.*
Fans know
that in addition to standards such as "Paper Moon," "April in
Paris" and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" he wrote
socially-potent lyrics for "When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich"
(about class distinction, from Finian's Rainbow), "Leave de Atom
Alone" (about nuclear arms, from Jamaica),
"Napoleon" (about the fleeting fame of celebrities, tyrants and
politicians, from Jamaica ), "The Eagle and Me" (the
expression of a runaway slave in Bloomer Girl)….
Finian's Rainbow was the first Broadway show in which black and white
performers danced together.
The Yip
Harburg- Harold Arlen classic "Over the Rainbow" was named the number
one film song of all time by the American Film Institute; in 2001 it was chosen
as the greatest song of the 20th century in a Recording Industry Association of
America/National Endowment for the Arts poll….
*Blacklisted
in Hollywood and TV from 1950-1962.
.
