Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Sammy Fain Sings His Most Popular Songs in 1931

Songwriter Sammy Fain was born Samuel Feinberg in New York City, to a family that was deeply rooted in the world of show business. His uncle, for instance, Willie Howard (Wilhelm Levkowitz), son of a Silesian cantor, was a vaudeville performer. 

As a young man, Fain taught himself to play the piano. Although he couldn't read music well, he had a natural talent for coming up with memorable melodies in the spur of the moment. In 1925, he composed his first piece: "Nobody Knows What a Red-headed Mama Can Do."

Until 1942, Fain worked extensively in collaboration with Irving Kahal. In the late 1920s, they created works including "Wedding Bells are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine" and "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella." Fain and Kahal also collaborated to write pieces for the play Right This Way, such as "I Can Dream, Can't I?" and "I'll Be Seeing You." The latter was especially popular during WWII, as it perfectly reflected the feelings of many American wives whose husbands were off fighting.

95 years ago a short film was released featuring Sammy Fain singing some of his most popular songs. Enjoy!

 

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