Arthur Schwartz (1900-1984), a premier composer of American Popular Song during the mid-20th century, has been overlooked by historians. This first full-length biography covers his work on Broadway and in Hollywood, where he was known as the "master of the intimate revue" for his songs in the 1930s with Howard Dietz. Other lyricists over Schwartz's career included Dorothy Fields, Oscar Hammerstein II, Frank Loesser, Johnny Mercer and Leo Robin. Schwartz wrote music for films in the 1940s--with Academy Award nominations for They're Either Too Young or Too Old and A Gal in Calico--produced two popular movie musicals--Cover Girl and Night and Day--and was among the first songwriters to work in the new medium of television. The author describes his creative process and includes behind-the-scenes stories of each of his major musicals.

Best known as the writer of the lyric for the popular Disney song ""Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf"", as well as the American standard ""Willow Weep for Me"", Ann Ronell was also a translator and orchestrator for operatic works. This biography traces Ronell's life from her early days in Omaha, Nebraska and recounts her marriage to producer Lester Cowan and her friendships with George Gershwin, Kurt Weill and the baritone John Charles Thomas. It includes over forty pictures, a chronology, family tree, film credits, her senior dissertations, and a complete list of her works.

Harold Rome was a composer-lyricist on Broadway from 1937, starting with Pins and Needles, a revue for the ILGWU. His biggest hits included Call Me Mister, Wish You Were Here, Fanny, Destry Rides Again, and I Can Get It for You Wholesale. He continued working on Broadway through 1965 with The Zulu and the Zayda. His early career featured songs of ""social significance,"" lyrics for the common man filled with satire. He would take on anyone. His later work featured songs well adapted to the book musicals of the day, and his words and music became more lyrical. Rome worked with Moss Hart, George S. Kaufman, Jerome Weidman, Joshua Logan, Michael Kidd, Joe Layton, David Merrick, and Leland Hayward. He wrote songs for stars Betty Garrett, Pearl Bailey, Jack Cassidy, Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak, Florence Henderson, Dolores Gray, Kaye Ballard, and Barbra Streisand. Rome was politically involved, liberal and left wing, attracting the attention of conservative organizations and the FBI. His song writing contributed to the home front efforts for World War II, as a civilian and then as a corporal in the Army. His paintings were critically praised, and over forty years, he amassed an impressive collection of African art.