Over his career, Constantin worked on over 261 films, including his first, 1929's 'Younger Generation', where he worked as a musical director and was credited only as 'Bakaleinikoff'. The last film on which he worked (as conductor) was the 1957 film 'Bachelor Party'.
He is credited with composing on such films as 1931's "Ten Cents a Dance"; 1939's "A Day on Treasure Island"; 1940's "Modern New Orleans"; 1942's "My Favorite Spy"; 1944's "Higher and Higher"; and 1946's "Dick Tracy vs. Cueball", to name just of few.
One interesting aspect of his career took place on May 18, 1927. Director Cecil B. DeMille's 'King of Kings' opened at Hollywood's famed Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard (just one year after actress Norma Talmadge used a gold-plated shovel for the ground-breaking ceremony.) 500 policemen contained the estimated 50,000 movie fans who filled the streets. The evening's billing had Grauman, followed by DeMille, followed by Christ. The great director and movie pioneer D.W. Griffith served as the Master of Ceremonies. DeMille, Mary Pickford, and Wil Hays were the principal speakers, after which the audience was treated to a concert of film music "classics" conducted by Constantin Bakaleinikoff.
Constantin's wife was Fritzi Ridgeway, an actress whose career began in the 1910s. She was seen in her first picture in 1917, 'The Hero Of The Hour', and her last film was 1934's 'We Live Again'. Fritzi Ridgeway was born on April 8, 1898, in Butte, Montana, USA and died on March 29, 1961, in Lancaster, California, USA. (heart attack) At times she was "credited" as Fritzie Ridgeway or as Fritzie Ridgway.
Since much literature is extant on Mr. Irving Berlin, we will only touch on the highlights here.
Overview
In 1882, the Baline family escaped a pogrom by hiding under a blanket in the fields outside of their home town of Temun, in Russia. Irving was the youngest of the eight children. After this narrow escape, the family emigrated to America, settling on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, N.Y.C., where his father was able to earn a living supervising meats in a kosher meat market. He also worked part-time as a cantor in some of the local synagogues. Some of the children helped by working in sweatshops or selling newspapers on the street.
As a child, New York City streets were his playground. He was a member of the Cherry Street Gang. On hot summer days, he would swim in the 'East' River, with other kids from the Cherry Street neighborhood. In 1896, he ran away from home after his father died, and his formal schooling came to an abrupt end.
His music career started when he led Blind Sol, a singing beggar into the local cafes. Occasionally he would sing along with Blind Sol. Not long afterwards, Berlin started singing in cafes such as Callahan's and the Chatham, in New York's Bowery district. In time, the Harry Von Tilzer Publishing House hired him to plug their songs at Tony Pastor's Music Hall, "uptown" at Union Square and 14th Street. One of the acts to which he was assigned, was 'The Three Keatons', whose youngest member, Buster, later became a huge silent films star.
In 1906, Pelham's Cafe, in the Chinatown district, hired him as a singing waiter. He would serve customers their food, sing parodies of the popular songs, and then clean up after the cafe closed. During one 'slumming' party, Prince Louis Battenberg offered him a five dollar tip, which Berlin refused. The next day, reporter Herbert Bayard Swope gave the story dramatic treatment in one of the city's daily newspapers. But his stay at Pelham's Cafe is more important than the story of the $5.00 tip. Two singing waiters at a rival cafe had published an Italian type ditty that became popular. Pelham's commissioned their piano player, Nick (M. Nicholson) to compose a similar piece of music, and used Irving's lyrics. The song (Berlin's First) was published as "Marie from Sunny Italy". Joseph W. Stern & Co. published the tune on May 8, 1907. For this piece of music, Irving used the 'Berlin' name for the first time. For his collaboration, Berlin received the grandiose royalty of thirty-seven cents. "Flush with success", Berlin soon left Pelham's and became a singing waiter at 'Jimmy Kelly's' on Union Square. Now things began to happen for him.
In 1908, Berlin had two songs published. Ted Snyder's Music Co., decided to publish a Berlin tune called "Dorando" (an Italian marathon runner then popular). The Snyder company thought he had a melody also, and Berlin, rather than lose the sale, dictated a melody to one of the musicians at Snyder. He was paid $25.00 for the words and music.
Earlier in 1908, the Selig Music Corporation published a Berlin tune called "The Best of Friends Must Part", with both music and words by Berlin. This song was written after "Dorando", but got published before.
In hindsight, we can see that these two songs represent aberrations in his early career. He actually became famous as a lyricist for the music of other composers.
1909
1910
1910 The New York Journal newspaper hired him to write several hundred verses.
1910 The Broadway show 'Up and Down Broadway' with Eddie Foy and Emma Carus, had 2 songs;
NOTE:
1911
1912 Berlin composed "When I Lost You". Berlin had just lost his wife Dorothy Goetz Berlin to Typhoid Fever, contracted during their honeymoon in Cuba.
1913
Berlin's hit list is extensive, but the most famous early ones include
1914 wrote first complete Broadway score, 'Watch Your Step', starring Irene and Vernon Castle. One critic wrote "Berlin's music..... warranted to set any roomful a-dancing."
Two hits were:
1915 Scored the Broadway show 'Stop! Look! Listen!', which had,
During WW1, served in the U.S.Army at Camp Upton. He wrote the book
and score for the all-soldier show 'Yip, Yip, Yaphank'. On July 26, 1918, the show open in New York's Century theater.
1917 Berlin appeared at London's Hippodrome Theatre, and introduced
After WW1, Berlin began a career as a vaudeville entertainer.
Berlin continued his string of hits in the twenties with
Starting in 1924, there was a 'private' song-cycle in Berlin's life. Berlin had fallen in love with Ellin MacKay. Her father, the
wealthy head of McKay Telegraph Corporation, disapproved and sent her to Europe. Berlin then wrote several songs with Ellin in mind.
1924
On her return, they were secretly married at City Hall on Jan. 4, 1926. Berlin then wrote:
Helen was disinherited, but the romance, which broke down both religious and social barriers, was to last a lifetime. (Their romance inspired composer Jimmy McHugh and lyricist Al Dubin to write "When a Kid Who Came from the East Side Found a Sweet Society Rose".) In later years, her father publicly acknowledged his error.
1927
Some of Berlin's most popular hits of the thirties include
After 1933, Berlin was also writing for Hollywood films. (Photo source uncredited)
1935 For film 'Top Hat', starring Astaire and Rogers.
His hits in the forties include:
1940 Scored the Broadway musical 'Louisiana Purchase'.
1942
Berlin's last big song hits were
In 1963, ASCAP announced it's 'All-Time Hit Parade' list of songs.
Out of just 16 songs, Berlin had "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "God
Bless America," and "White Christmas" included.
In 1983, 'Taco' revived Berlin's "Putting on the Ritz".
In 1958, Berlin selected his eight best musicals; 'Watch Your Step';
Yip, Yip, Yaphank'; 'The Ziegfeld Follies of 1919'; 'The Music Box
Revue of 1921'; 'As Thousands Cheer'; 'This is the Army'; 'Annie Get
Your Gun'; and Call Me Madam'. His personal song favorites are
"Easter Parade," "Blue Skies', "Always," "God Bless America,"
"There's No Business Like Show Business," "A Pretty Girl is Like a
Melody," "Oh How I Hate To Get Up in the Morning," "How Deep Is The
Ocean," and "White Christmas."
Irving Berlin Died in 1989. He was 101 years old. He is a member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.
Songs for which Bernie Bierman wrote both the Words and Music inlcude :
Among the songs that Bierman has composed in collaboration Jack Manus are:
Among the songs that Bierman has composed in collaboration Arthur Harry "Art" Bermanm are:
Songs co-composed with others include:
Still more Bierman tunes include:
Arthur Harry "Art" Berman
Constantin Bakaleinikoff
b. April 26, 1898, Moscow, Russia: d. Sept. 3, 1966, Los Angeles, CA, USA
This RKO Pictures Music Director was sometimes credited as: Constantine Bakaleinikoff, and very early in his career as just plain - Bakaleinikoff. His nickname was Costia, or Mr. B. Constantin was a conductor, musical director and composer. He should not be confused with Mischa Bakaleinikof who was also very active in the Hollywood studios, but only as a musical director.
Mischa Bakaleinikoff
b. d.
Currently No Information Available - Active 1940 to 1960s
Mischa, who mostly conducted, is not to be confused with Constantin Bakaleinikoff, who did arrangements, composing, conducting and also acted as full musical director.
Spouse: 'Yvonne Marie Wilson' (1944 - to his death). Not to be confused with film star Marie Wilson.
lrving Berlin
b. 1888, Temun, Russia, d. 1989, New York, NY, USA.
né: Israel Baline
The noted composer, Jerome Kern, was once asked by a reporter where Irving Berlin's place was in American music. Kern replied "Berlin has no place in American music, he IS American Music."
Irving Berlin, may be the greatest writer of popular music in the history of American Popular Song. His career stretches from just after the turn of the century all the way into the 1960's. Music that he composed in the early 1900's is still being heard all over the world today. Yet He was never able to read or write music, and could only play the piano in one key - F-sharp, just the Black Keys. To write in other key signatures, he used a special piano (made by the Weser Piano Company) that had a lever under the keyboard. By moving this lever, Berlin could shift the range. (Luis F. Muir was another composer who worked in the same way.) He usually wrote the lyric first, but always found the creative process laborious. He worked by trial and error, rather than musical knowledge.
"Sadie Salome, Go Home", music by Edgar Leslie. Sold 1/4 million copies.
"Next To Your Mother, Who Do You Love?", music by Ted Stern.
"That Mesmerizing Mendelssohn Tune", lyric and music by Berlin, and sung here by the vocal duet of Harlan and Collins, in 1910. This tune is interesting for two reasons. First, it is a 'Ragtime' version of Mendelssohn's "Spring Song". And secondly, this version has a "coon" comedy sketch in the middle. These racial stereotypes were still popular in 1910 (sad to relate).
"Call Me Up Some Rainy Afternoon", music by Ted Stern.
"Kiss Me My Honey, Kiss Me", music by Ted Stern.
"That Beautiful Rag", music by Ted Snyder.
"Sweet Italian Love", music by Ted Snyder.
1911 Berlin's first Big Success!
"Alexander's Ragtime Band" When Berlin was elected to the Friar's Club in N.Y., he wrote this song with the title "Alexander and his Clarinet". Later, Berlin re-wrote the song, with lyrics added, and it was interpolated into the Broadway show 'The Merry Whirl'. In neither instance did the song make any impression. It finally became a smash hit when Emma Carus sang it in her Vaudeville act at a Chicago theater. It sold a million copies of sheet music in just a few months. It swept across the U. S.
Up to this time, dancing was greatly restricted to just private parties held in people's homes. Through the popularity of this song, social dancing became a national pastime. It was a turning point in American (and World) culture.
Ragtime music, long known, became a national craze.
"That Mysterious Rag", Music by Ted Snyder.
"Everybody's Doing It"
"Ragtime Violin"
"My Wife's Gone to the Country", music by George Whiting. (half million copies of sheet music).
"Play a Simple Melody" (a million-selling top ten hit for Bing and Gary Crosby 1950),
"Syncopated Walk"
"I Love A Piano"
"Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning"
"Yip, Yip, Yaphank"
(The show netted over $150,000 for troops at the Camp Upton Service Center.)
"International Rag", music and lyric by Berlin.
1919
"A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody"
"Mandy."
1921, Berlin and Sam H. Harris built Berlin's own theater, called 'The Music Box', off Broadway on 45th Street.
1921
"Say It with Music";
1922
"Lady of the Evening"
"Crinoline Days";
"All Alone"
"What'll I Do?"
While Ellin was in Europe, Berlin wrote two ballads,
1925
"Always"
"Remember".
1926
"At Peace With The World" This song closed Berlin's little song cycle.
"Blue Skies"
"The Song Is Ended"
1928
"Marie" (a million seller for Tommy Dorsey in 1937 and for the 'Four Tunes' in 1954).
1930
"Puttin' on the Ritz";
1932 for the Broadway show 'Face The Music',
"Soft Lights and Sweet Music"
"Let's Have Another Cup o' Coffee"
"Say It Isn't So"
"How Deep Is the Ocean?";
1933 for the Broadway show 'As Thousands Cheer',
"Easter Parade" (a million seller for Harry James in 1942 and for Guy Lombardo in 1947)
Berlin wrote the song in 1917 as "Smile and Show Your Dimple", a dismal failure then.
"Heat Wave";
"The Piccolino
"Cheek to Cheek"
"Top Hat, White Tie and Tails";
1936 "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket"
"Let's Face the Music and Dance"
1937
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"
1939
"God Bless America", Another smash hit for Kate Smith.
(Orig. written for 'Yip, yip, Yaphank' but not used then.)
In 1954, Congress authorized a Gold Medal for Mr Berlin for
composing this song. All of the songs royalties have gone to
the Boy and Girl Scouts and the Campfire Girls.
"This Is the Army, Mr.Jones,"
"I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen"
"White Christmas" (1942 million seller for Bing Crosby & Freddy Martin; Frank Sinatra 1944)
1946 from 'Annie Get Your Gun', starring Ethel Merman, ran for over 1000 performances. Probably Berlin's greatest stage success.
"They Say It's Wonderful"
"You Can't Get A Man With A Gun"
"There's No Business Like Show Business"
"Doin` What Comes Natur'lly"
1948
"Steppin' Out with My Baby"
"A Couple of Swells"
1949 for Broadway show 'Miss Liberty', Robert Sherwood Text.
"Let's Take an OId-Fashioned Walk"
"Paris Wakes Up and Smiles"
"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor."
1950 for Broadway show 'Call Me Madam', starring Ethel Merman.
"You're Just In Love"
1954's
"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep"
"Sisters."
His final composing effort was the 1962 Broadway musical 'Mr. President'.
Bernard Bierman
Currently No information available.
"A Puppet On A String", rec'd by vocalist Fran Warren
"Saga Of Susie Brown", rec'd: Happy Jim Parsons
"Don t Touch My Tutu"
"Elderhostel Song (The)"
"Stop Pussy Footin' Around"
"Whoever You Are"
"Here Comes The Milkman", Rec'd: Sammy Kaye Orch.
"I Wouldn't be Surprised", rec'd: Sammy Kaye Orch., also Harry Cool
"In An Old Cathedral Town". rec'd: Jack Kilty, also Dick James
"My Cousin Louella", Rec'd: Frank Sinatra; Andy Russel, Eddy Howard, Blue Baron, Milt Herth,etc.
"Nobody Wants Me"
"One Little Two Little"
"Love Of Two Cabbages", co-composed with Arthur Harry Berman.
"Where Were You", co-composed with Arthur Harry Berman.
"Wish That I Could Learn to Fly, I", co-composed with Arthur Harry Berman.
"Bed of Roses", co-composers Arthur Berman and Jack Manus. rec'd by vocalist Denny Dennis
"Nellie Paid the Mortgage on the Farm", co-composers Jack Manus, Ken Hecht: Rec'd: "Baby" Rose Marie,
"Can It Ever Be The Same?": co-composers Arthur Harry Berman: rec'd vocalist Larry Green
"Irene"co-composers Bernie Bierman and Murry Kopita
"Midnight Masquerade", co-composers Art Berman, and Jack Manus. Was on Hit Parade for 10 weeks, rec'd: Sammy Kaye, Alvino Rey, Frankie Carle Orchs, etc.
"Puppet On a String", co-composers Jack Manus, and Guy B. Wood.
"Rowdy Dow", co-composers Jack Manus, and Johnny Graham: rec'd: Judy Valentine
"Somewhere", co-composers Jesse Crawford and Serge Rachmaninoff
"Sweethearts Manual of Arms", co-composers Bernie Bierman, Eli Dawson and Dolly Donez.
"Too Many Kisses", co-composers Jack Manus, and Guy B. Wood. rec'd: Jimmy Clyde, also by Ray Dorey
"Vanity", co-composers Jack Manus, and Guy B. Wood. "Don t Touch My Tutu", co-composed with Bernie Bierman
"Water Water Wild Flower", co-composers Eli Dawson and Dolly Donez.
"Unless It Can Happen With You", co-composers Arthur Berman and Jack Manus. Rec'd: Johnny Long, Blue Baron, Frankie Carle, and Three Suns Orchs;
"Forgiving You", rec'd by: Harry James Orch, Sammy Kaye Orch, Johnny Johnson, Jerry Cooper.
"Get A Move On Cowboy", recorded by: Jerry Abbot and The Main Streeters
"Hills of Colorado", rec'd by Guy Lombardo Orch.
"I'm Roaming From My Home In Wyoming", : rec'd: Harold Grant
"Tend To Your Knitting", rec'd: Jerry Abbot and The Mainstreeters
"This Is The Inside Story", rec'd by vocalist Billy Eckstine
"What More Can I Ask For", rec'd: Guy Lombardo Orch.
Currently No information available, on this composer who may have written well over 80 tunes.
