Charles Previn

Charles Previn was an American film composer who was active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before being based in Hollywood, Previn arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions.
Previn was born in Brooklyn to Henrietta Giballe and the rabbi Morris Previn, who a year earlier had emigrated from Graudenz via Glasgow to the United States. He graduated from Brooklyn High School and obtained a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1910. He obtained a master's degree from New York College of Music.
From 1936 to 1944, Previn was musical director at Universal, overseeing everything from horror pictures to Arabian Nights fantasies. He was a cousin of the father of German-born composer, pianist, and conductor André Previn and TV and film director Steve Previn. He died in Los Angeles, aged 85.

Professional career

Musician and conductor of vaudeville and musical comedy
Conductor of the St. Louis Municipal Opera
Conductor of NBC's Camel Pleasure Hour in 1930, featuring cornetist Bix Beiderbecke
Conductor on the NBC radio series Silken Strings from 1934 through 1936
1936–1944 — Musical director, arranger, composer and conductor at Universal. While there, Previn accumulated over 225 films to his credit, including most of Deanna Durbin's films.
1944 — Previn began working at other studios
1945–1947 — Previn succeeded Ernö Rapée as music director/conductor of the Radio City Music Hall Symphony
1947 — Previn returned to Hollywood and worked at Eagle-Lion and MGM
1947 — Ithaca Conservatory of Music awarded Previn an honorary doctorate
1953 — Previn retired

While at Universal, Previn composed uncredited stock music for several of the studio's releases.

Best Score — One Hundred Men and a Girl - Musical Director
Academy Award nominations
Best Score — Mad About Music
Best Score — First Love
Best Score — Spring Parade
Scoring of a Musical Picture — Buck Privates
Scoring of a Musical Picture — It Started With Eve
Scoring of a Musical Picture — 'Song of the Open Road'''''
Family