Howard Dietz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Howard Dietz
Dietz c. 1920
Background information
Born	(1896-09-08)September 8, 1896 New York City, U.S.
Died	July 30, 1983(1983-07-30) (aged 86) New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Publicist, lyricist, and librettist

Howard Dietz (born September 8, 1896 – died July 30, 1983) was an American publicist, lyricist, and librettist. He is best remembered for writing many songs with Arthur Schwartz.

About Howard Dietz

Howard Dietz was born in New York City. He went to Columbia College and later studied journalism at Columbia University.

He worked as a publicist and advertising director for Goldwyn Pictures. Later, he worked for MGM, a famous movie studio. Many people say he created Leo the Lion, the studio's well-known lion mascot. He also chose their famous slogan, Ars Gratia Artis, which means "Art for Art's Sake." In 1942, he became MGM's Vice President in charge of publicity. He stayed in that important job until he retired in 1957.

Howard Dietz began working with composer Arthur Schwartz in 1929. They teamed up for a Broadway show called The Little Show. They continued to work together on and off for more than 30 years.

Dietz's Service and Legacy

During World War I, Dietz served in the US Navy. He became the editor of their magazine, Navy Life. In World War II, he helped the U.S. Treasury Department promote War Bonds. These bonds helped the government pay for the war. He also created stage shows for the Coast Guard with composer Vernon Duke.

Howard Dietz kept copies of almost everything from his career. This included documents about his work and the publicity campaigns for every MGM film he promoted. After he passed away, all these items were given to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. His collection is the largest one about any single person or topic there.

Howard Dietz was honored for his amazing work. In 1972, he was added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Then, in 1981, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Howard Dietz's Family Life

Howard Dietz was married three times. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Bigelow Hall in 1917. They later divorced in 1936.

In 1951, he married costume designer Lucinda Ballard. Howard Dietz passed away in July 1983 in New York City. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease since 1954.

Broadway Shows with Dietz's Work

Howard Dietz wrote lyrics for many Broadway shows. Here are some of them:

• Dear Sir — 1924 (music by Jerome Kern)
• Merry-Go-Round — 1927 (music by Henry Souvaine and Jay Gorney)
• The Little Show — 1929 (music by Schwartz)
• The Second Little Show — 1930 (music by Schwartz)
• Three's a Crowd — 1930 (music by Schwartz)
• The Band Wagon — 1931 (music by Schwartz)
• Flying Colors — 1932 (music by Schwartz)
• Revenge with Music — 1934 (music by Schwartz)
• At Home Abroad — 1935 (music by Schwartz)
• Between the Devil — 1937 (music by Schwartz)
• Keep Off the Grass — 1940 (Dietz wrote three songs with music by Jimmy McHugh)
• Jackpot — 1944 (music by Vernon Duke)
• Sadie Thompson — 1944 (music by Duke)
• Inside U.S.A. — 1948 (music by Schwartz)
• The Gay Life — 1961 (music by Schwartz)
• Jennie — 1963 (music by Schwartz)

London Shows

• Here Comes the Bride — 1930 (music by Schwartz)

Radio Work

• The MGM Theater of the Air, host (1949–1951)

Famous Songs Written by Dietz

Howard Dietz wrote the lyrics for many popular songs. Here are some of them:

• "All The King's Horses" (with Alec Wilder and Edward Brandt). Sung in Three's A Crowd.
• "Alone Together" (music by Schwartz). From the show Flying Colors.
• "Blue Grass" (music by Schwartz). From the musical Inside USA.
• "By Myself" (music by Schwartz). Sung by Jack Buchanan in Between the Devil.
• "Dancing In The Dark" (music by Schwartz). From the 1931 show The Band Wagon.
• "The Dickey-Bird Song" (music by Sammy Fain). Featured in the 1948 film Three Daring Daughters.
• "First Prize at the Fair" (music by Schwartz). From the musical Inside USA.
• "A Fugitive from Esquire" (music by Jimmy McHugh). Sung by Jimmy Durante in Keep Off The Grass.
• "Get Yourself a Geisha" (music by Schwartz). From the musical At Home Abroad.
• "Got A Bran' New Suit" (music by Schwartz). Sung by Ethel Waters in the 1935 show At Home Abroad.
• "Haunted Heart" (music by Schwartz). From the show Inside USA.
• "Hoops" (music by Schwartz). Sung by Fred and Adele Astaire in the 1931 show The Band Wagon.
• "I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan" (music by Schwartz). Sung by Clifton Webb in the 1929 show The Little Show.
• "I Love Louisa" (music by Schwartz). Sung by Fred and Adele Astaire in the 1931 show The Band Wagon.
• "I See Your Face Before Me" (music by Schwartz). From the 1937 musical Between the Devil.
• "Louisiana Hayride" (music by Schwartz). From the 1932 show Flying Colors.
• "The Love I Long For" (music by Vernon Duke). From the musical Sadie Thompson.
• "Love Is a Dancing Thing" (music by Schwartz). From the 1935 show At Home Abroad.
• "Moanin' Low" (music by Ralph Rainger). Sung by Libby Holman in The Little Show.
• "Rhode Island Is Famous For You" (music by Schwartz). From the show Inside U.S.A..
• "That's Entertainment!" (music by Schwartz). Featured in the 1953 film The Band Wagon.
• "You and the Night and the Music" (music by Schwartz). From the musical Revenge with Music.
• "If There is Someone Lovelier Than You" (music by Schwartz). From the musical Revenge with Music.
• "Schickelgruber" (music by Kurt Weill)