December 2nd marks the birthday of the late Adolph Green (1914-2002), American lyricist and playwright, who, with long-time collaborator Betty Comden, penned the screenplays and songs for some of the most beloved movie musicals, particularly as part of Arthur Freed's production unit at MGM, during the genre's heyday. Many people thought that Green and Comden were married; they were not, but they shared a unique comic genius and sophisticated wit that enabled them to forge a six-decade-long partnership that produced some of Hollywood and Broadway's greatest hits.
Green won seven Tony Awards, always with collaborator Betty Comden: in 1953, lyrics as part of Best Musical win for "Wonderful Town;" in 1968, as Best Composer and Lyricist, with Jule Styne, and lyrics as part of Best Musical win for "Hallelujah, Baby!;" in 1970, book as part of Best Musical win for "Applause;" in 1978, as Best Score, lyrics with music by Cy Coleman, and Best Book (Musical) for "On the Twentieth Century;" and in 1991, as Best Score (Musical), lyrics with music by Coleman, for "The Will Rogers Follies." In addition, the team of Comden and Green received five other nominations: in 1957, book with music by Styne for Best Musical nominee "Bells Are Ringing;" in 1961, lyrics with music by Styne for Best Musical nominee "Do Re Mi;" in 1983, for Best Score, lyrics with music by Larry Grossman, and Best Book (Musical) for "A Doll's Life;" and in 1986, Best Book (Musical) for "Singin' in the Rain," the stage version of their signature film, Singin' in the Rain (1952). Green was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
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Green won seven Tony Awards, always with collaborator Betty Comden: in 1953, lyrics as part of Best Musical win for "Wonderful Town;" in 1968, as Best Composer and Lyricist, with Jule Styne, and lyrics as part of Best Musical win for "Hallelujah, Baby!;" in 1970, book as part of Best Musical win for "Applause;" in 1978, as Best Score, lyrics with music by Cy Coleman, and Best Book (Musical) for "On the Twentieth Century;" and in 1991, as Best Score (Musical), lyrics with music by Coleman, for "The Will Rogers Follies." In addition, the team of Comden and Green received five other nominations: in 1957, book with music by Styne for Best Musical nominee "Bells Are Ringing;" in 1961, lyrics with music by Styne for Best Musical nominee "Do Re Mi;" in 1983, for Best Score, lyrics with music by Larry Grossman, and Best Book (Musical) for "A Doll's Life;" and in 1986, Best Book (Musical) for "Singin' in the Rain," the stage version of their signature film, Singin' in the Rain (1952). Green was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
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