Edward Eliscu
Edward Eliscu was an influential American lyricist, playwright, producer, and actor, born on April 2, 1902, in Manhattan, New York City. He was the son of Romanian immigrants Frank and Sofia Eliscu. Eliscu attended DeWitt Clinton High School alongside future director George Cukor and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from City College of New York.
His career began on Broadway, where he acted in plays such as "The Racket," "Quarantine," and "The Dybbuk." In 1929, he collaborated with composer Vincent Youmans and lyricist Billy Rose on the Broadway score for "Great Day," which produced hits like "More Than You Know" and "Without a Song." Eliscu's work extended to other Broadway productions including "Lady Fingers," "The Street Singer," and "Meet the People."
Transitioning to Hollywood, Eliscu contributed to over 40 film scores and wrote screenplays for notable films such as "The Gay Divorcee" and "Three Husbands." His song "Carioca" from the 1933 film "Flying Down to Rio" earned him an Academy Award nomination and marked the beginning of the iconic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers partnership.
Eliscu's career faced challenges in the 1950s when he was blacklisted by the House Committee on Un-American Activities, prompting a return to New York. Despite this setback, he continued to influence the music industry, serving as president of the American Guild of Authors & Composers from 1968 to 1973. In 1975, Eliscu was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He was married to dancer and journalist Stella Bloch, and they had a family that included their granddaughter, music journalist Jenny Eliscu. Edward Eliscu passed away on June 18, 1998, in Newtown, Connecticut, leaving behind a legacy of celebrated musical contributions.
App
