The Kalmar-Ruby Songbook With Reasonably Accurate Dissertations by Franklin P. Adams, Robert Benchley, Irving Berlin, Marc Connelly, Moss Hart, Ben Hecht, Nunnally Johnson, Groucho Marx and James K. McGuinness

Book Description

New York: Random House , 1936. First Edition. Signed presentation copy from Harry Ruby to Dave Kapp, the former head of A&R at Victor Records. Inscribed by the author: “To Dave Kapp, On page 19 you’ll find the famous ‘Captain’ Spaulding, who, but for Groucho Marx, might have passed away an unsung hero. Sincerely, Harry Ruby.” The inscription refers to the song “Hooray for Captain Spaulding” which served as Groucho Marx’s theme song and has an amusing essay by him. Additionally, laid in is a typed contract signed by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, dated June 4, 1937, with a notary’s signature and blindstamp, indicating that Kalmar and Ruby have received an undisclosed amount of money from Samuel Goldwyn, Inc. for a work referred to as “Goldwyn Follies”. A collection of the team’s best songs in words & music, accompanied by humorous tributes from such noted personalities as Robert Benchley, Moss Hart, Irving Berlin, Nunnally Johnson, and Groucho Marx. Harry Ruby was a writer for the Ziegfeld Follies, the classic Marx Brothers movie Animal Crackers, and many comedic tunes for vaudeville. Edges are slightly rubbed, otherwise very good plus without dust jacket.

Not sure what some of these terms mean? Look it up in our glossary.