Milt Franklyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Milt Franklyn
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Franklyn in 1928
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Milton Julius Frumkin |
| Born | September 16, 1897 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 24, 1962 (aged 64) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1926–1962 |
| Labels | Warner Bros. |
Milt Franklyn (born Milton Julius Frumkin; September 16, 1897 – April 24, 1962) was an American musician. He was a talented composer (someone who writes music) and arranger (someone who adapts music for different instruments). He is best known for his work on the famous Warner Bros. Looney Tunes animated cartoons. He worked alongside and later took over from Carl Stalling, another great cartoon music creator.
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Early Life and Education
Milt Franklyn was born in New York City on September 16, 1897. When he was three years old, his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. He went to high school there and graduated in 1915.
Franklyn studied at the University of Utah for a year. He was also a very good tennis player, becoming the state junior tennis champion in Utah for six years! After Utah, he spent two years at the University of California, Berkeley. He then started at Pennsylvania University.
His studies were paused when he was called to serve in World War I. He trained as a naval officer for three months. The war ended on November 11, 1918, before he had to go overseas. He then returned to Berkeley to finish his education.
Musical Journey
Milt Franklyn could play many musical instruments. After college, he joined a band in San Francisco. For several years, he played at famous hotels like the Palace and St. Francis.
Later, he started his own nine-piece orchestra. This band had different names over time, like the Peninsula Band and the Merrimakers. They performed in places like San Mateo and San Jose. In San Jose, he was also a Master of Ceremonies and wrote shows for the California Theatre.
Franklyn also worked as an emcee (host) and musical director for big entertainment companies. He traveled to many cities across the U.S., including Seattle, Denver, and New York City. By 1935, he decided to leave this kind of live performance and move to Hollywood.
Working with Warner Bros.
In 1936, Milt Franklyn joined Warner Bros. as a music arranger. He worked closely with Carl Stalling, who was the main music director for their cartoons. Franklyn helped create the music for many beloved Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons.
In 1954, Franklyn became the music director himself. His first cartoon as the main composer was Bugs and Thugs, released in 1954. He often composed his music at home early in the morning. He would then go to the studio to watch the 30-piece Warner Bros. Orchestra record the music.
One of his most famous contributions is believed to be the song "The Michigan Rag." This song was featured in the 1955 cartoon One Froggy Evening, which introduced the singing character Michigan J. Frog. When Carl Stalling retired in 1958, Franklyn became the only composer for Warner Bros. cartoons.
Later Years and Legacy
Milt Franklyn sadly passed away from a heart attack on April 24, 1962. At the time of his death, he was working on the music for a Tweety cartoon called The Jet Cage. He composed the music for the first two minutes of the cartoon. Another composer, William Lava, finished the rest of the score. Even though Lava finished it, Franklyn is still listed in the opening credits.
Franklyn's music continues to be enjoyed by fans of classic cartoons. His work helped make Looney Tunes cartoons so memorable and fun to watch. After his death, his music was also used in shows like Bugs Bunny on Broadway.
See also
In Spanish: Milt Franklyn para niños
