Ralph Blane

• Born: July 26, 1914, Broken Arrow, OK
• Died: November 13, 1995, Broken Arrow, OK
• Active: '30s, '40s, '50s
• Genres: Soundtrack
• Instrument: Vocals, Arranger, Performer

Biography

The songwriting team of composer Hugh Martin and lyricist Ralph Blane earned their greatest renown for Meet Me in St. Louis, the classic 1944 Vincente Minnelli film musical which launched the perennials "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Trolley Song." Born Ralph Uriah Hunsecker in Broken Arrow, OK, on July 26, 1914, Blane made his Broadway stage debut in New Faces of 1936, followed a year later by Hooray for What? He then teamed with castmate Martin to form the vocal quartet the Four Martins, additionally arranging vocals for a number of stage productions including One for the Money, Too Many Girls, DuBarry Was a Lady, Cabin in the Sky, and Louisiana Purchase. In 1941, Martin and Blane wrote their own Broadway smash, Best Foot Forward, which yielded the songs "Buckle Down, Winsocki" and "Ev'ry Time"; they soon traveled to Hollywood to adapt the project for MGM. The duo remained in Tinseltown, authoring "The Joint Is Really Jumpin' (In Carnegie Hall)" for 1943's Thousands Cheer before turning to Meet Me in St. Louis, which also included their "The Boy Next Door." Contributions to 1944's Ziegfeld Follies ("Love") and 1947's Good News ("Pass That Peace Pipe") followed, and apart from Martin, Blane also collaborated with composers including Harry Warren, Harold Arlen, and Kay Thompson. Martin and Blane reunited to score the 1954 film Anthea, followed a year later by The Girl Rush; in 1960, the duo also composed several new songs for a stage adaptation of Meet Me in St. Louis, adding yet more new material for a 1989 revival. Blane died on November 13, 1995, at the age of 81. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

• Died: Nov 13, 1995 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
• Occupation: Writer
• Active: '40s-'50s
• Major Genres: Musical, Comedy
• Career Highlights: Meet Me in St. Louis, Ziegfeld Follies, The Judy Garland Show, Episode 15: The Christmas Special
• First Major Screen Credit: Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Biography

With his partner, songwriter Hugh Martin, composer and lyricist Ralph Blane penned many American standards for the stage and MGM musicals. Their best-loved songs include "My Blue Heaven," "The Trolley Song," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Blane began his career in the '30s as a radio singer for NBC. He then performed in a few Broadway musicals. He and Martin teamed up in the early '40s. Their first songs together showed up in the Broadway musical Best Foot Forward (1941); MGM adapted it for film in 1943. Their best-known musical remains Meet Me in St. Louis which became a classic on Broadway and in film. "The Trolley Song" earned them their first Oscar nomination; their second came for "Pass That Peace Pipe," which they wrote in conjunction with Roger Edens. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The Judy Garland Show, Episode 15: The Christmas Special Buy this Movie	South of St. Louis Buy this Movie	Good News Buy this Movie	Ziegfeld Follies Buy this Movie
Abbott and Costello in Hollywood Buy this Movie	Meet Me in St. Louis Buy this Movie

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