They Made Us Happy: Betty Comden & Adolph Green's Musicals & Movies

by Andy Propst

Betty Comden and Adolph Green were the writers behind such classic stage musicals as On the Town, Wonderful Town, and Bells Are Ringing, and they provided lyrics for such standards as "New York, New York," "Just in Time," "The Party's Over," and "Make Someone Happy," to name just a few. This remarkable duo, the longest-running partnership in theatrical history, also penned the screenplays for such cinematic gems as Singin' in the Rain and The Band...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0190630930
• ISBN13: 9780190630935
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Really Nice Look At the Achievements of Two Musical Theater Legends

This is a great ride through musical theater and also early movie history. Betty Comden and Adolph Green were two friends and collaborators who seemed to share one remarkable brain—and it produced lyrics and script material for countless musicals, revues, and even screenplays ranging from the 40’s through the 90’s. They were at the center of everything going on within the musical theater world and were often working on a new Broadway show while having just launched a different one, while at the same time adapting or tweaking a screenplay. They were also seasoned comedic yet heartfelt performers on their own of a very high caliber. The author does a great job charting their rise from early sketch artists/revue performers (with their friend and future star Judy Holliday) to their late stage work in TV and film, as well as their many celebrated personal appearances as a duo. Since their story interconnects with so many other producers and composers and writers—Jule Styne, Cy Coleman and Arthur Laurents among them—if you’re a fan of musical theater or if you’re a student of Broadway history, this book is a must. An inspiring read celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of two gifted creators.