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'''Samuel ''"Sammy"'' Timberg''' (May 21, 1903 – August 26, 1992) was an American musician and composer for the stage, movie studios, and television.
{{short description|American musician}}
'''Samuel Timberg''' (May 21, 1903 – August 26, 1992) was an American musician and composer for the stage, [[film studio]]s, and television.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Timberg was born in New York City to a Jewish family originating in Austria, youngest son of Israel and Mary Timberg and brother of vaudeville performers [[Herman Timberg]] and Hattie Darling<ref>http://www.jimnolt.com/timbergobit.htm</ref>. He studied piano under [[Rubin Goldmark]] with hopes of becoming a performer; the death of his father in 1919, however, forced him to leave his studies and find work. Just 16, Sammy joined Herman's act as a straight man, and also began conducting the orchestra.
Timberg was born in New York City to a [[Jewish]] family originating in Austria, youngest son of Israel and Mary Timberg and brother of vaudeville performers [[Herman Timberg]] and Hattie Darling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jimnolt.com/timbergobit.htm|title = Sammy Timberg}}</ref> He studied piano under [[Rubin Goldmark]] with hopes of becoming a classical performer; the death of his father in 1919, however, forced him to leave his studies and find work. Just 16, Sammy joined Herman's act as a straight man, and also began conducting the orchestra.


To increase the family's earnings, Herman also wrote material for other acts, including [[Georgie Price]] and [[Clark and McCullough]] (and, a few years later, [[Phil Silvers]])<ref>http://timbergalley.com/biographies/herman-timberg</ref>. In 1920 the Timbergs were hired by [[Chico Marx]] to develop a follow-up to the [[Marx Brothers]] hit revue ''Home Again'' after the failure of the 1918 Kahn/Swerling production ''Cinderella Girl''. In February 1921 the Marx Brothers introduced ''On The Mezzanine'' which toured across the US and in Britain; it was written by Herman and managed by Hattie, while 18-year old Sammy led the orchestra and co-wrote the music<ref>http://www.marx-brothers.org/marxology/balcony.htm</ref>.
To increase the family earnings, Herman also wrote material for other acts, including [[Georgie Price]] and [[Clark and McCullough]] (and, a few years later, [[Phil Silvers]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timbergalley.com/biographies/herman-timberg|title = Herman Timberg &#124; Timberg Alley}}</ref> In 1920 the Timbergs were hired by [[Chico Marx]] to develop a follow-up to the [[Marx Brothers]] hit revue ''Home Again'' after the failure of the 1918 Kahn/Swerling production ''Cinderella Girl''. In February 1921 the Marx Brothers introduced ''On The Mezzanine'' which toured across the US and in Britain; it was written by Herman and managed by Hattie, while 18-year old Sammy led the orchestra and co-wrote the music.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marx-brothers.org/marxology/balcony.htm|title = On the Balcony (The Marx Brothers Marxology)}}</ref>


Sammy also found work with other performers and in 1929 supplied songs for Broadway revues ''Broadway Nights'', ''Dutchess of Chicago'', and ''The Street Singer'', all choreographed by [[Busby Berkeley]]. He also worked for [[Shubert family|the Shuberts]], and organized and led his own touring orchestra<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-sammy-timberg-1550533.html</ref>.
Sammy also found work with other performers and in 1929 supplied songs for Broadway revues ''Broadway Nights'', ''Dutchess of Chicago'', and ''The Street Singer'', all choreographed by [[Busby Berkeley]]. He also worked for [[Shubert family|the Shuberts]], and organized and led his own touring orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-sammy-timberg-1550533.html|title = Obituary: Sammy Timberg|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 9 September 1992}}</ref>


Timberg was perhaps most famous for the music he wrote for [[Animated cartoon|cartoon]]s while music director of the [[Fleischer Studios]], such as [[Popeye]], [[Betty Boop]], and [[Superman (1940s cartoons)|Superman]]. He also contributed songs to two Fleischer feature-length animated films, ''[[Gulliver%27s_Travels_(1939_film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' and ''[[Mr. Bug Goes to Town]]''. Possibly his best known and most-recorded song, ''[[It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day]],'' was a feature from ''Gulliver''. He remained to composed shorts when the Fleischers were succeeded by [[Famous Studios]], serving as the studio's musical director until [[Winston Sharples]] officially succeeded him in 1943. He then moved to Columbia's [[Screen Gems]] cartoon studios.
Timberg was perhaps most famous for the music he wrote for [[Animated cartoon|cartoon]]s while music director of the [[Fleischer Studios]], such as [[Popeye]], [[Betty Boop]], and [[Superman (1940s cartoons)|Superman]]. He also contributed songs to two Fleischer feature-length animated films, ''[[Gulliver's Travels (1939 film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' and ''[[Mr. Bug Goes to Town]]''. Possibly his best known and most-recorded song, ''[[It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day]],'' was a feature from ''Gulliver''. He remained with the organization to compose shorts when the Fleischers were succeeded by [[Famous Studios]], serving as the studio's musical director until [[Winston Sharples]] officially succeeded him in 1943.


He composed and conducted the score for MGM recording of the [[Lionel Barrymore]] ''[[A Christmas Carol]]''<ref>http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sammy-timberg-mn0002002166</ref>. He unsuccessfully managed the early career of [[Jackie Gleason]], and wrote music for Gleason, [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Eydie Gormé]], and others until he retired in the 1960's<ref>The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer, Ray Pointer, {{ISBN|978-1-4766-6367-8}}, pp 130-131</ref>.
He composed and conducted the score for MGM recording of the [[Lionel Barrymore]] ''[[A Christmas Carol]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sammy-timberg-mn0002002166|title=Sammy Timberg Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> He unsuccessfully managed the early career of [[Jackie Gleason]], and wrote music for Gleason, [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Eydie Gormé]], and others until he retired in the 1960s.<ref>The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer, Ray Pointer, {{ISBN|978-1-4766-6367-8}}, pp 130-131</ref>


In the early 1950s Timberg moved to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], where he died in 1992. He was the father of writer and journalist [[Robert Timberg]], Patricia Timberg and Rosemarie Eisenberg Shaw.
In the 1960s Timberg moved to [[Scranton, Pennsylvania]], where he died in 1992. He was the father of writer and journalist [[Robert Timberg]], Patricia Timberg and Rosemarie Eisenberg Shaw.


==Well-known Songs==
==Well-known Songs==
* [[Don%27t_Take_My_Boop-Oop-A-Doop_Away|Don't Take My Boop-Oop-A-Doop Away]] (1931)
* [[Don't Take My Boop-Oop-A-Doop Away]] (1931)
* [[Popeye_the_Sailor_filmography_(Fleischer_Studios)#1936|Brotherly Love]] (1936), from the ''Popeye'' cartoon of that name.
* [[Popeye the Sailor filmography (Fleischer Studios)#1936|Brotherly Love]] (1936), from the ''Popeye'' cartoon of that name.
* [[It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day]] (1939), with Sharples and Nieburg
* [[It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day]] (1939), with Sharples and Nieburg
* Boy, Oh Boy (1941) with Frank Loesser
* Boy, Oh Boy (1941) with Frank Loesser
* Help Yourself To My Heart (1947), Frank Sinatra
* Help Yourself To My Heart (1947), Frank Sinatra


In 2004, Timberg's daughter Pat released a CD of his music: ''Boop-Oop-A-Doin': modern recordings of Sammy Timberg, composer for the Max Fleischer toons''<ref>http://boingboing.net/2009/08/24/boop-oop-a-doin-mode.html</ref>.
In 2004, Timberg's daughter Pat released a CD of his music: ''Boop-Oop-A-Doin': modern recordings of Sammy Timberg, composer for the Max Fleischer toons''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boingboing.net/2009/08/24/boop-oop-a-doin-mode.html|title=Boop-Oop-A-Doin': Modern recordings of Sammy Timberg, composer for the Max Fleischer toons|date=24 August 2009}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Bob Rothberg]]
* [[Bob Rothberg]]
* ''[[Ants in the Plants]]''
* ''[[Ants in the Plants]]''

==References==
<references />


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.timbergalley.com Timberg Alley], the website for the Timberg family.
* [http://www.timbergalley.com Timberg Alley], the website for the Timberg family.
* {{IMDb name|0863552}}
* {{IMDb name|0863552}}
* [[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sammy-timberg-mn0002002166]] AllMusic Biography
* [https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sammy-timberg-mn0002002166 AllMusic Biography]


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[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:Jewish American composers]]
[[Category:Jewish American composers]]
[[Category:20th-century composers]]
[[Category:American people of Austrian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American composers]]
[[Category:Animation composers]]
[[Category:Paramount Global people]]
[[Category:Fleischer Studios people]]
[[Category:Famous Studios people]]
[[Category:Musicians from New York City]]
[[Category:20th-century American Jews]]

Latest revision as of 02:18, 6 December 2022

Samuel Timberg (May 21, 1903 – August 26, 1992) was an American musician and composer for the stage, film studios, and television.

Biography[edit]

Timberg was born in New York City to a Jewish family originating in Austria, youngest son of Israel and Mary Timberg and brother of vaudeville performers Herman Timberg and Hattie Darling.[1] He studied piano under Rubin Goldmark with hopes of becoming a classical performer; the death of his father in 1919, however, forced him to leave his studies and find work. Just 16, Sammy joined Herman's act as a straight man, and also began conducting the orchestra.

To increase the family earnings, Herman also wrote material for other acts, including Georgie Price and Clark and McCullough (and, a few years later, Phil Silvers).[2] In 1920 the Timbergs were hired by Chico Marx to develop a follow-up to the Marx Brothers hit revue Home Again after the failure of the 1918 Kahn/Swerling production Cinderella Girl. In February 1921 the Marx Brothers introduced On The Mezzanine which toured across the US and in Britain; it was written by Herman and managed by Hattie, while 18-year old Sammy led the orchestra and co-wrote the music.[3]

Sammy also found work with other performers and in 1929 supplied songs for Broadway revues Broadway Nights, Dutchess of Chicago, and The Street Singer, all choreographed by Busby Berkeley. He also worked for the Shuberts, and organized and led his own touring orchestra.[4]

Timberg was perhaps most famous for the music he wrote for cartoons while music director of the Fleischer Studios, such as Popeye, Betty Boop, and Superman. He also contributed songs to two Fleischer feature-length animated films, Gulliver's Travels and Mr. Bug Goes to Town. Possibly his best known and most-recorded song, It's a Hap-Hap-Happy Day, was a feature from Gulliver. He remained with the organization to compose shorts when the Fleischers were succeeded by Famous Studios, serving as the studio's musical director until Winston Sharples officially succeeded him in 1943.

He composed and conducted the score for MGM recording of the Lionel Barrymore A Christmas Carol.[5] He unsuccessfully managed the early career of Jackie Gleason, and wrote music for Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Eydie Gormé, and others until he retired in the 1960s.[6]

In the 1960s Timberg moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1992. He was the father of writer and journalist Robert Timberg, Patricia Timberg and Rosemarie Eisenberg Shaw.

Well-known Songs[edit]

In 2004, Timberg's daughter Pat released a CD of his music: Boop-Oop-A-Doin': modern recordings of Sammy Timberg, composer for the Max Fleischer toons.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sammy Timberg".
  2. ^ "Herman Timberg | Timberg Alley".
  3. ^ "On the Balcony (The Marx Brothers Marxology)".
  4. ^ "Obituary: Sammy Timberg". Independent.co.uk. 9 September 1992.
  5. ^ "Sammy Timberg Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  6. ^ The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer, Ray Pointer, ISBN 978-1-4766-6367-8, pp 130-131
  7. ^ "Boop-Oop-A-Doin': Modern recordings of Sammy Timberg, composer for the Max Fleischer toons". 24 August 2009.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sammy_Timberg&oldid=1125826544"