Victor Schertzinger(1888-1941)
- Director
- Music Department
- Composer
Pennsylvania-born Victor Schertzinger trained as a violinist and toured
internationally, then became a symphonic conductor. His first film
credit was for composing the orchestral accompaniment for
Civilization (1915). He directed Charles Ray films, among others,
during the silent era. He went back to composing when talkies came in,
with many credits throughout the '30s, ending with
The Fleet's In (1942), which
appeared posthumously after his sudden death in 1941. This superb score
included four hit songs, with lyrics by
Johnny Mercer. He also directed films
during this era, including the sumptuous British production of
The Mikado (1939) in Technicolor,
which stands the test of time to this day. He also had close
directorial relationships with
James Cagney,
Bing Crosby and
Bob Hope. He was unusually well-liked,
and known for getting along with everyone.
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