Moonlight and Pretzels (Universal, 1933) was the first motion picture musical to which Yip made a substantial contribution. Coming on the heels of the success earlier the same year of 42nd Street, it’s a backstage story about a struggling songwriter (Roger Pryor). Includes “There’s a Little Bit of You in Every Love Song” (Fain), and … Continue Reading ››

Take a Chance (Paramount, 1933) introduced the Harburg-Arlen classic "It's Only a Paper Moon" to a national audience (it had been sung previously in a short-lived 1932 Broadway play). Here it is performed by Buddy Rogers, June Knight and a large ensemble, starting as a simple duet but building to an operatic extravaganza. The song was … Continue Reading ››

Broadway Gondolier (Warner Bros., 1935). Yip contributed no lyrics to this feature film. He did, however, co-write the story with Sig Herzig, who with Fred Saidy would co-write the book for the Harburg-Arlen Broadway musical Bloomer Girl in 1944. Not commercially available.

Manhattan Moon (Universal, 1935). Yip contributed one song to this feature: "My Other Me" (with composer Karl Hajos). Not commercially available.

The Affair of Susan (Universal, 1935). Comedy starring ZaSu Pitts. Song: "Something in My Heart" by Yip and Franz Waxman. Not commercially available.

Johnny Green and His Orchestra (Warner Bros., 1935). Musical short subject featuring composer Green leading his orchestra through several of his own songs, including "How Can I Hold You Close Enough?" with lyrics by Yip and Edward Heyman. Part of Warner Home Video's Errol Flynn Signature Collection: Vol. 1, it is part of "Warner Night … Continue Reading ››

The Singing Kid (Warner Bros., 1936). An Al Jolson musical, sections of which were directed by an uncredited Busby Berkeley, contains a bumper crop of Harburg-Arlen songs: “I Love to Sing-a” (with a lavishly staged reprise late in the film), “You're the Cure for What Ails Me” (not to be confused with a 1930 … Continue Reading ››

I Love to Sing-a (Warner Bros., 1936). Cartoon directed by Tex Avery, featuring the character "Owl Jolson" singing the Harburg-Arlen songs "I Love to Sing-a" from The Singing Kid and "Speaking of the Weather" from Golddiggers of 1937. It is part of the Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 2.

Stage Struck (Warner Bros., 1936). Directed by Busby Berkeley, this feature contains two Harburg-Arlen songs: "In Your Own Quiet Way" and "Fancy Meeting You," the latter also known as "The Evolution Song." Not commercially available.

The Gold Diggers of 1937 (Warner Bros., 1936). Another entry in the popular "Gold Diggers" series, part of Warner Home Video's The Busby Berkeley 9-Film Collection. Yip and Harold Arlen contributed "Life Insurance Song," "Let's Put Our Heads Together" and "Speaking of the Weather," the latter also heard in one of the disc's extra features - a cartoon … Continue Reading ››