James F. Hanley


James Frederick Hanley was an American songwriter and author.

Biography

Hanley was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in the United States. He attended Champion College and the Chicago Musical College.
He served with the United States Army 82nd Division in World War I and during his military service he wrote an army musical show called Toot Sweet.
On his discharge Hanley became a vaudeville accompanist. He went on to write songs for film and theater including many Broadway productions. He worked with numerous artists, most notably Buddy DeSylva, Edward Madden, Eddie Dowling, Percy Wenrich, Theodore F. Morse and Ballard MacDonald.
Hanley is best remembered for the hit songs "Back [Home Again in Indiana|(Back Home Again in) Indiana]", "Second Hand Rose" and "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart". For the latter song, Hanley contributed to both music and lyrics, while for most of his songs he usually wrote only the music.
He died of a heart attack at his home in Douglaston, Queens, on February 8, 1942, leaving a widow and five children. Hanley was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

Musical theatre credits

  • ''Toot Sweet''

Broadway

Also contributed songs to:

Selected songs

Selected filmography