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", "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

Robinson Crusoe, Jr., co-composer with Sigmund RombergZiegfeld Follies of 1917, featured songwriterThe Greenwich Village Follies of 1920, featured songwriterJim Jam Jems, composer, lyrics by Harry Cort and George StoddardZiegfeld Follies of 1921, featured songwriterPins and Needles of 1922, co-composer with Frederick Chappelle, lyrics by Ballard MacDonald and Irving CaesarSpice of 1922, co-composer with J. Fred Coots and Henry Creamer, lyrics by James Stanley and McElbert MooreBig Boy, co-composer with Joseph Meyer, lyrics by Buddy DeSylvaNo Foolin' , featured songwriter, lyrics by Gene BuckHoneymoon Lane, composer, lyrics by Eddie DowlingSidewalks of New York, co-composer, co-author with Eddie DowlingKeep It Clean, co-composerZiegfeld Follies of 1934, featured songwriterThumbs Up!, co-composer with Henry Sullivan
Also contributed songs to:Ziegfeld Follies of 1922 George White's Scandals of 1923 Innocent Eyes Gay Paree of 1925 High Queen
  • ''Take the Air''

Selected songs

Selected filmography

So [This Is London (1930 film)|So This Is London]