In The News

Composer Hugh Martin passes away

Composer Hugh Martin passes away

The death has taken place of the composer Hugh Martin whose work included the Christmas favourite Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. He was 96.

Mr. Martin had written the song, along with Ralph Blane, for the film Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) which starred Judy Garland.

But the star found the original version too downbeat so Mr. Martin rewrote parts of it to her satisfaction. He was to jolly-up the song still further for Frank Sinatra who included it in a Christmas album in 1957.

Mr. Martin had also written The Trolley Song which was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song for the film Meet Me In St. Louis.

The writing partnership with Ralph Blane began after they met as performers on Broadway in the 1930s.

The pair, along with Roger Edens, enjoyed success with their work on the movie Good News (1947) and received another Oscar nomination for their song Pass That Peace Pipe.

Mr. Martin enjoyed continued success as a composer and arranger for both films and stage shows. 

He was the vocal director and arranger on the film A Star Is Born (1954).

When the show Meet Me In St. Louis was revived for Broadway in 1989 Mr. Martin and Ralph Blane produced ten new songs for the show.

 

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