The Songs of Hollywood
Philip Furia and Laurie Patterson
Reviews and Awards
"With its critical investigation of the connections between Broadway and Hollywood, the intertwining of music publishers and studios, as well as the marketing strategies behind hits, it's clear that this book is not only a careful investigation of musical films up to the 21st century, but also an insightful means of taking stock of film musicals in Hollywood cinema writ large, which gives rise to yet further consideration about the integration of music into the realistic medium of film." --Lied und populäre Kultur [Song and Popular Culture]
"The Songs of Hollywood is a brilliantly researched, highly entertaining cornucopia of facts, tracing and defining the evolution of the use of songs in film. It's a fascinating read, bursting with information about the great songwriters, performers, producers and directors who transformed a novelty gimmick into an art form."-Richard M. Sherman, Composer / Lyricist of Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Jungle Book.
"If you love attractive songs and movies that sing and dance, this book is a must. But be prepared to rent all the films you missed or will want to see again after reading the authors' appetizing descriptions!" --Sheldon Harnick, Lyricist
"Good reading--and great history--this book offers a fresh examination of the way songs were integrated into Hollywood movies from the silent era through the glory years of musicals. Furia and Patterson write with equal parts knowledge and enthusiasm. I thought I knew this territory pretty well, but they linger over details to create a rich context for their raw material."--Leonard Maltin
"They discuss great examples of all kinds of singing in the movies so perspicaciously that this is a book that lovers of warbling on celluloid will utterly treasure."-Booklist Starred Review
"Considerable insight. A book that can be used to advantage in serious film study or read for pure enjoyment."-California Literary Review
"The Songs of Hollywood benefits from Philip Furia's previous wok on the American popular song...The selection of key works to illustrate the main themes is done with a purpose; focused not filleted, this is a good, readable history." --Times Literary Supplement
"A good, readable history." --Times Literary Supplement
"A remarkably well constructed, comprehensive overview of the songs of Hollywood...[A] tremendously informative book." --Brad Hathaway - Theater Shelf