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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Great Americans A to Z: Oscar Hammerstein II


O is for Oscar Hammerstein II, (1895-1960) an award-winning American songwriter and theatrical producer.


Oscar grew up in a family of show business. His grandfather was an opera producer, and his father managed and produced shows at the New York Victoria Theatre. His uncle also produced shows on Broadway.

In college, Oscar studied law, but he wrote and acted in school plays. He eventually left law school to pursue theater, and his first job was assistant stage manager for his uncle.

He went on to provide lyrics for 850 songs and produce many great musicals.

Had Oscar become a lawyer instead of a songwriter, we would not have:

Oklahoma!

Or Do-Re-Mi

Or My Favorite Things

What’s your favorite tune penned by Oscar Hammerstein?  

10 comments:

  1. I enjoyed many of these movies when I was growing up. Oscar Hammerstein's contribution to modern culture is phenomenal.

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  2. It's a really good thing he didn't become a lawyer. I like his songs!

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  3. So many of his songs are a part of American culture without people even realizing they are his. We have all been touched by his talent.

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  4. Let's see--Lawyer or my Favorite Songs? Hmm...I love Oklahoma (even though I was born in Texas)

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  5. The songs he created are classics! It is impossible to imagine the world without these songs and their universal messages.

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  6. Oh,goodness, I wouldn't even know where to begin, I love so much of his work.

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  7. Wow, these are classics! I actually recognize the name, but it's one of those you don't think about until someone mentions it. So thanks for the interesting post! :)

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  8. Living in Oklahoma, I have to love that song ... the people really do belong to the land, and the wind blows constantly! I haven't had a good hair day since moving here a year ago. ;/

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  9. 850 songs! that is incredible.

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