Leslie Bricusse facts for kids

Leslie Bricusse was a talented British composer (who writes music), lyricist (who writes song words), and playwright (who writes plays). He created many popular songs and musicals for the stage and for movies.

He is famous for writing the music and lyrics for films like Doctor Dolittle, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Scrooge, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He also wrote well-known songs such as "Goldfinger" and "You Only Live Twice" for James Bond movies.

Early life and education

Leslie Bricusse was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England, on January 29, 1931. He went to University College School in London. Later, he studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, a famous university.

While at Cambridge, he was very involved in the Footlights drama club. He was the Secretary from 1952 to 1953 and then the President. It was during this time that he started working with the famous entertainer Beatrice Lillie.

A creative career

In the 1960s and 1970s, Leslie Bricusse worked closely with Anthony Newley. Together, they created many successful musicals.

Working with Anthony Newley

One of their first big hits was the musical Stop the World – I Want to Get Off (1961). This show was so popular that it was made into a film in 1966. They also wrote The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd (1965).

Perhaps their most famous collaboration was the music for the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). This film was based on the beloved children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Their work on Willy Wonka earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song Score.

When Bricusse and Newley worked together, they sometimes called themselves "Brickman and Newburg." Newley usually focused on the music, and Bricusse on the lyrics.

Other collaborations and famous works

Leslie Bricusse also worked with other talented composers. He wrote lyrics for the musical Pickwick (1963) with Cyril Ornadel. This musical was based on a book by Charles Dickens.

He teamed up with Henry Mancini for films like Victor/Victoria (1982) and Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992). He also worked with John Williams on the movies Home Alone (1990) and Hook (1991).

As both a composer and lyricist, Bricusse created the music for the film Doctor Dolittle (1967). He won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Talk to the Animals" from that movie. He also scored Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969).

Songs sung by famous artists

Many famous singers recorded Leslie Bricusse's songs.

• Sammy Davis, Jr. had big hits with "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "The Candy Man". "The Candy Man" even became a number one song!
• Nina Simone sang "Feeling Good".
• Shirley Bassey performed "Goldfinger".
• Nancy Sinatra sang "You Only Live Twice".

Leslie Bricusse also wrote the opening theme song for the American TV show It's a Living.

In 2001, he was honored with the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II. This award recognized his important contributions to film and theatre. In 2015, he wrote a book about his life called Pure Imagination: A Sorta-Biography.

Personal life and death

Leslie Bricusse lived in California and also had a home in the United Kingdom near the River Thames. He was married to Yvonne Romain, who was an actress. They had a son named Adam.

Leslie Bricusse passed away peacefully in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, on October 19, 2021. He was 90 years old.

Works

Musicals

• Stop the World – I Want to Get Off (with Anthony Newley) (1961) – includes "Once in a Lifetime" and "What Kind of Fool Am I?"
• Pickwick – with Cyril Ornadel (1963)
• The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd (with Newley) (1965) – includes "Who Can I Turn to (When Nobody Needs Me)?" and "Feeling Good"
• Doctor Dolittle (1967) – includes "Talk to the Animals"
• Sweet November (with Newley) (1968)
• Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
• Scrooge (1970) – includes "Thank You Very Much"
• Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (with Newley, 1971)
• The Good Old Bad Old Days (with Newley, 1974)
• Peter Pan (television, with Newley, 1976)
• Victor Victoria (film with Henry Mancini, 1982)
• Babes in Toyland (1986 film) (with Newley, 1986)
• Sherlock Holmes: The Musical (1989)
• Hook (with John Williams) (1991) – includes "When You're Alone"
• Jekyll & Hyde (lyrics only, 1990/1994/1997)
• Scrooge (1992 stage musical)
• Victor/Victoria (1995 Broadway musical)
• Doctor Dolittle (1998 stage musical)

Songs

• "My Kind of Girl" (1961)
• "What Kind of Fool Am I?" (with Anthony Newley) (1963)
• "Who Can I Turn To" (with Anthony Newley) (1964)
• "Feeling Good" (with Anthony Newley) (1964)
• "Goldfinger" (with John Barry and Anthony Newley) from Goldfinger (1964)
• "You Only Live Twice" (with Barry) from You Only Live Twice (1967)
• "Talk to the Animals" from Doctor Dolittle (1967)
• "Thank You Very Much" from Scrooge (1970)
• "Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination" (with Newley) from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
• "Can You Read My Mind (Love Theme)" (with John Williams) from Superman (1978)
• "Le Jazz Hot!" (with Henry Mancini) from Victor/Victoria (1982)
• "Somewhere in My Memory" from Home Alone (with John Williams) (1990)
• "When You're Alone" from Hook (with John Williams) (1991)

Awards and recognition

Leslie Bricusse received many awards for his amazing work:

Awards won

• Academy Awards
  • Best Original Song, 1968 – for "Talk to the Animals"
  • Best Adaptation and Original Song Score, 1982 – for Victor/Victoria
• Grammy Awards
  • Song of the Year, 1963 – for "What Kind of Fool Am I"
• He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Nominations

He was nominated for many other awards, showing how much his work was appreciated:

• Tony Awards (for Broadway musicals)
  • Best Musical, 1963 – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
  • Best Score, 1963 – Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
• Academy Awards (for films)
  • Original Music Score, 1967 – Doctor Dolittle
  • Original Song Score, 1971 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
  • Best Original Song, 1990 – "Somewhere in My Memory"

See also

In Spanish: Leslie Bricusse para niños