Words and Music 75 years old

The BIGGEST musical!

Words and Music

Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979): from their first meeting, through lean years and their breakthrough, to their successes on Broadway, London, and Hollywood. We see the fruits of Hart and Rodgers' collaboration - elaborately staged numbers from their plays, characters' visits to night clubs, and impromptu performances at parties. We also see Larry's scattered approach to life, his failed love with Peggy McNeil, his unhappiness, and Richard's successful wooing of Dorothy Feiner.

Credits

Words and Music Cast

Name Character
Janet Leigh She was 21, 77 years old when she died as Dorothy Feiner Rodgers
Ann Sothern She was 39, 92 years old when she died as Joyce Harmon
Judy Garland She was 26, 47 years old when she died as Herself
Tom Drake He was 30, 64 years old when he died as Richard Rodgers
Vera-Ellen She was 27, 60 years old when she died as Herself
Mickey Rooney He was 28, 93 years old when he died as Lorenz Hart
Ilka Grüning She was 72, 88 years old when she died as Mrs. Rogers
June Allyson She was 31, 88 years old when she died as Alisande La Carteloise
Gene Kelly He was 36, 83 years old when he died as Himself
Allyn Ann McLerie She was 22, 91 years old when she died as Singer in Garrick Gaeities
Dick Haymes He was 30, 61 years old when he died as Dick Haymes
Lena Horne She was 31, 92 years old when she died as Lena Horne
Perry Como He was 36, 88 years old when he died as Eddie Lorrison Anders
Betty Garrett She was 29, 91 years old when she died as Peggy Lorgan McNeil
Clinton Sundberg He was 45, 84 years old when he died as Shoe Clerk
Richard Quine He was 28, 68 years old when he died as Ben Feiner Jr.
Jeanette Nolan She was 37, 86 years old when she died as Mrs. Hart
George Meeker He was 44, 80 years old when he died as Producer (uncredited)
Harry Antrim He was 64, 82 years old when he died as Dr. Rogers
Mel Tormé He was 23, 73 years old when he died as Mel Tormé
Bert Moorhouse He was 54, 59 years old when he died as Backstage Well-Wisher (uncredited)
Emory Parnell He was 56, 86 years old when he died as Mr. Feiner
Marshall Thompson He was 23, 66 years old when he died as Herbert Fields
Gino Corrado He was 55, 89 years old when he died as Italian Waiter (uncredited)
Cyd Charisse She was 26, 86 years old when she died as Margo Grant
Gower Champion He was 29, 61 years old when he died as Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Frank Mayo He was 62, 77 years old when he died as Minor Role (uncredited)
Edward Earle He was 66, 90 years old when he died as James Fernby Kelly
Irving Bacon He was 55, 71 years old when he died as Hollywood Realtor (uncredited)
Jeanne Coyne She was 25, 50 years old when she died as Showgirl (uncredited)

Words and Music Crew

Name Department
Charles Rosher as Director of Photography. He was 63 (88) years old when He died Camera
Harry Stradling Sr. as Director of Photography. He was 47 (68) years old when He died Camera
Fred F. Finklehoffe as Writer. He was 38 (67) years old when He died Writing
Guy Bolton as Story. He was 64 (94) years old when He died Writing
Norman Taurog as Director. He was 49 (82) years old when He died Directing
Jean Holloway as Story. She was 31 (72) years old when She died Writing
Words and Music poster
Words and Music (75 years)

The BIGGEST musical!

  • Release day: Friday, December 31, 1948
  • Runtime: 120 minutes