Robert E. Dolan | |
|---|---|
%2c_1937.jpg) Dolan in 1937 | |
| Born | Robert Emmett Dolan August 3, 1908 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | September 26, 1972(1972-09-26) (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Loyola College |
| Occupation(s) | Conductor, composer, arranger |
| Years active | 1930-1966 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Emmett Dolan (August 3, 1908 - September 26, 1972) was aBroadway conductor, composer, and arranger beginning in the 1920s. He moved on toradio in the 1930s and then went toHollywood in the early 1940s as a musical director forParamount. He scored, arranged, and conducted many musical and dramatic films in the 1940s and 1950s and produced three musicals. At the end of his career, he returned to the stage – where he had begun.
Dolan was born inHartford, Connecticut, the eldest of 12 children. He studiedpiano with his mother and was educated inMontreal. He received further musical education atLoyola College (nowConcordia University), later studying extensively withMortimer Wilson,Joseph Schillinger, andErnst Toch.[2] Dolan started out playing piano for honky-tonk dance bands and musical comedy bands, and in the 1920s began working as a musician, composer, conductor, and musical director in the theater. Some of the Broadway shows to which he contributed wereLeave It To Me,Louisiana Purchase,Of Thee I Sing, andZiegfeld Follies.[3]
In the 1930s, he began work as a composer, conductor, and music director on radio.
He became music director forMGM in 1941 and then moved on to Paramount, where he was music director for 16Bing Crosby pictures. He also served as composer and arranger forGinger Rogers andBetty Hutton, and scored about 60 movies. At the end of his Paramount stay, he was promoted to producer forWhite Christmas (1954),The Girl Rush (1955), andAnything Goes (1956).[4]
He joinedASCAP in 1946, often collaborating withJohnny Mercer andWalter O'Keefe in popular-song compositions.[2] Dolan later worked in television; his work included specials and documentaries. He was a prominent member ofColumbia University's music faculty, where he taught orchestration, conducting, and a film score class (based on his book,Music in Modern Media).[5]
Dolan married and divorced twice and had one son in each marriage. His first wife was dancerVilma Ebsen, the sister ofBuddy Ebsen. They were married on June 24, 1933, and divorced in January 1948. Their son's name is Robert Emmett Dolan II, also known as Bobby Dolan Jr, who appeared inThe Bells of St. Mary's (1945) as Joseph in a children's Christmas play in the film.[6]
His second wife was actressNan Martin. They were married on March 17, 1948, and had a son, Casey Martin Dolan.[2]
Dolan died inLos Angeles on September 26, 1972, of a heart attack during his sleep.[1] Funeral services were held there and at Columbia University inNew York.
All 8 Nominations were forMusic Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Musical Picture):
