Gus Kahn musical compositions and papers, 1913-1955

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Summary

Creators:
Kahn, Gus
Abstract:
Gus Kahn was a prolific lyricist who wrote for the stage and for films. The collection consists of disc recordings, music manuscripts, lyrics, letters of condolence, and some personal papers.
Extent:
3.2 linear ft. (1 phonograph record storage box, 2 flat boxes, and 5 document boxes)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Gus Kahn Musical Compositions and Papers (Collection PASC-M 614), UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of disc recordings, music manuscripts, lyrics, correspondence and letters of condolence, and some personal papers.

Biographical / historical:

Gus Kahn, (b. 6 November 1886, Koblenz, Germany, d. 8 October 1941, Beverly Hills, California, USA) was a prolific lyricist during the 1920s and 1930s for Tin Pan Alley, stage, and films. After being brought to the USA by his parents in 1891 when they settled in Chicago, he started writing songs while still at school. In 1908 he collaborated with his future wife, the composer Grace LeBoy, and had some success with "I Wish I Had A Girl." His first big hit came in 1915 with "Memories," written with composer Egbert van Alstyne. In the following year, Kahn collaborated with him again, and Tony Jackson, for "Pretty Baby," which became one of Kahn's biggest hits, and was featured in the biopics Jolson Sings Again (1949) and The Eddie Cantor Story (1953).

In the 1920s he co-wrote many songs that would become standards, including "Ain't We Got Fun," "I'll See You in My Dreams," "Yes Sir, That's My Baby," and "Makin' Whoopee." His songs were often used by Hollywood during the nascent sound era, and in 1933 he moved to Los Angeles to write for the movies directly. His output was prolific, and he contributed songs to films such as Flying Down to Rio (1933), A Day at the Races (1937), and Spring Parade (1940).

In the 1951 movie, I'll See You In My Dreams, based on his life, Kahn was portrayed by Danny Thomas, and Grace LeBoy by Doris Day.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series 1. Musical compositions
  • Series 2. Sound recordings
  • Series 3. Correspondence
  • Series 4. Personal papers

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Gus Kahn Musical Compositions and Papers (Collection PASC-M 614), UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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