The Tortured Genius of Lorenz Hart

[@rexlex1736]

There is probably no one alive today who actually knew Larry Hart. He has been gone 77 years and is barely known to present generations. One thing is for sure; his lyrics are as relevant, brilliant, sparkling, biting, and as fresh today as when they were first written. They are truly crown jewels in the history of Broadway musicals. How did Larry write all of those terrific lyrics, off the cuff, without agonizing over them for days or polishing them over and over? Only he understood his genius. So, no one really knows. Larry is gone, but his dazzling lyrics will outshine Broadway lights as long as there is a Broadway.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

Actually, the documentary includes a friend of Hart's Noel Taylor, seen in this clip.

[@princeandrey]

"He was somewhat averse to working...' Like all truly gifted people!

[@aromaofhope]

So sad. He had such a way with words! My favorite is Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered.

[@johnerdmann2700]

THIS IS A TREASURE-MY FAVORITE TWO PEOPLE-THANK YOU JOHN

[@bdcochran01]

1. thank you. 2. sometimes people think that "success" comes without effort. It seems that just last week I was talking with Ray Evans and heard his story. Not being being able to find a job after graduation other than on the cruise line. Failing in tin pan alley and moving to Hollywood. Being turned down by a producer and just getting a chance to write the music for a picture because the chosen composer was ill. Like Walther Matthau giving up a safe job in a steel factory his dad got him, not having the full tuition for an acting school and staking the whole amount he had in an audition vs. full enrollment wager.

[@StevenTorrey]

"Words and Music" for all its flaws in depicting Lorenz Hart, is still a great movie for the stellar performances and songs from stellar actors.

[@juliejensen7370]

Yes. Too bad it had to be sanitized for the public. Pop movies and tunes didn't depict reality back then.

[@BrightSeaStar]

Well, okay. Larry Hart was very short, and his body was not well proportioned. But I think he had an interesting face, and very intense eyes. I feel sorry that he wasn't able to find a mate.

[@lisafreebairn7736]

This is so terrific! Very Very interesting interviews.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

Thank you!!

[@jamesfox2579]

Thank you for THIS!!❤️😁

[@PeterFitzgerald]

My pleasure

[@TheAlain005]

This is the real LORENZ HART,the way he was.Along with JOHNNY MERCER,he was the greatest AMERICAN lyricist.His songs have stood the test of time.Just like JOHNNY,he had a lifelong battle with liquor.Very gifted artists are often liked that.One of the most poignant passage of the autobiography written by RICHARD RODGERS, is when he had to face the end of their partnership:I simply broked down and cried.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

I quite agree.

[@TheAlain005]

If you want to know anything about an old song,a show or a singer,i am your man.

[@TheAlain005]

Alain Robert MARY,the daughter of RICHARD RODGERS knows what's she is talking about.She was 11 years old when LORENZ HART died.She was old enough to remember him.

[@TheAlain005]

Alain Robert I am very glad that MARY takes the time to remember her father's collaborators.LORENZ HART died in 1943.70 years means that few people in LORENZ's entourage are still alive.

[@inartwetrust1]

The greatest songwriters lorenz hart and richard rodgers

[@AuntieMamie]

Thank you for a most educational and lovely piece. I’ve always adored anything by Rodgers and Hart. My favorite, though not with Mr Hart’s brilliant lyrics is Slaughter on Tenth Avenue. I’m not able to pick a favorite tune because I truly love them all. I’m reading a biography on Mr Hart and indeed it’s fascinating. Frankly, Mary Rodgers is a treasure and treasure trove!! Thank you so much. I could have watched more!!!!!

[@PeterFitzgerald]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I was just thinking about R&H (Rodgers and HART) this morning and how ingenious Hart's lyrics were - so heartfelt and clever. Hammerstein was all about poetry and grandeur, but I prefer Larry Hart any day. Thanks again! - Peter

[@PeterFitzgerald]

Thank you so much Hope. I just finished reading Mary Ro Rodgers’ memoir Shy. What a great read, and it absolutely captures her voice. You might want to read it.

[@BrightSeaStar]

@@PeterFitzgerald Thanks for the suggestion.

[@EagleRockers]

So good to see Miles Kreuger. He's a veritable encyclopedia of the American Musical Theatre.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

It’s very true. Miles is a treasure trove.

[@dixieleefogg4450]

Did Larry Hart die from a brain tumor? In the movie Words and Music it seemed so with all the headaches he had.

[@Contrapuntalist]

No. He died, more or less, of alcoholism.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

The reason was pneumonia and exhaustion. Seems the brightest lights shine for a shorter duration.

[@StevenTorrey]

@@Contrapuntalist Yes, alcoholism does a number on the body. The liver ends up being unable to process nutrients from food, and the body becomes more susceptible to pneumonia, etc. Look at photos of Judy Garland from just before she died in June, 1969 and see how cadaverous she looks.

[@elizabethdavis2877]

Oh Daddio

[@allenwatkins4972]

So he was a Jew, a homosexual, and and an alcoholic. He had a lot of baggage.

[@PeterFitzgerald]

I do not qualify being Jewish or homosexual as "baggage."

[@BrightSeaStar]

And you forgot to add the final zinger : very unattractive physically. (And in my opinion this might have been the partial explanation for the homosexuality and alcohol.)

[@detectivefiction3701]

Surely being Jewish wasn't any sort of disadvantage for Hart. Most Broadway creators of the time were Jewish.

[@seethevolcane-qj8ys]

Still are!@@detectivefiction3701

[@johnwadd8412]

He was certainly a homely bastard (Larry)😩😩😩