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Arthur Freed

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Producer

The Resume

    (September 9, 1894-April 12, 1973)
    Born in Charleston, South Carolina
    Birth name was Arthur Grossman
    Songwriter and producer of Hollywood musicals
    Co-wrote the songs 'Singin in the Rain,' 'Broadway Rhythm,' 'Wedding of the Painted Doll,' 'Pagan Love Song,' 'I've Got a Feeling You're Fooling,' 'We'll Make Hay While the Sun Shines,' 'I Cried for You' and 'Here's to the Girls'
    Produced the films 'Babes in Arms' (1939), 'Strike Up The Band' (1940), 'Lady Be Good' (1941), 'For Me and My Gal' (1942), 'Cabin in the Sky' (1943), 'Meet Me in St. Louis' (1944), 'The Harvey Girls' (1945), 'The Pirate' (1948), 'Easter Parade' (1948), 'On the Town' (1949), 'Annie Get Your Gun' (1950), 'Royal Wedding' (1951), 'Show Boat' (1951), 'An American in Paris' (1951), 'Singin in the Rain' (1952), 'The Band Wagon' (1953), 'Brigadoon' (1954), 'Kismet' (1955), 'Gigi' (1958), 'Bells Are Ringing' (1960) and 'The Light in the Piazza' (1962)
    Produced five Oscar telecasts (1960-63,1968)
    Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1972)

Why he might be annoying:

    He famously was unable to visualize a movie scene before it was filmed. (A foible also given to producer R.F. Simpson in the film 'Singin in the Rain.')
    His song 'Make 'Em Laugh' was suspiciously similar to Cole Porter's 'Be A Clown,' with Stanley Donen calling it 'one hundred percent plagiarism.'
    Shirley Temple claimed that he exposed himself to her when she was 12.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He promoted the 'integrated' musical, in which songs moved the story along instead of being tacked-on additions.
    He was known for his ability to spot talent, both in front of and behind the camera.
    He was awarded the French Legion of Honor (1967).
    He said, 'Don't try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying