Betty Comden, Lyricist for Musicals, Dies at 89

NYT ^ | 11/23/06 | ROBERT BERKVIST

[Borges]

Betty Comden, who with her longtime collaborator Adolph Green wrote the lyrics and often the librettos for some of the most celebrated musicals of stage and screen, died today at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. She was 89 and lived in Manhattan.

The cause was heart failure, said Ronald Konecky, her lawyer and the executor of her estate.

During a professional partnership that lasted for more than 60 years, and which finally ended with Mr. Green’s death in 2002, the Comden-Green blend of sophisticated wit and musical know-how lit up stage shows like “On the Town,” “Wonderful Town,” “Peter Pan” and “Bells Are Ringing.” Their Hollywood credits included the screenplays for two landmark film musicals, “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The Band Wagon.”

Through the years, they worked with composers like Leonard Bernstein, Cy Coleman, Jule Styne and André Previn, creating songs like “New York, New York,” “The Party’s Over,” “It’s Love” and “Some Other Time.” They were adept at making their lyrics fit the mood, whether it was rueful (“Lonely Town”), raucous (“100 Easy Ways to Lose a Man”) or romantic (“Just in Time”).

[RightWhale]

They don't make musicals like that anymore. That's okay, they were made and we still have them.

[good old days]

Comden and Green - what a team! RIP, Betty. Thanks so much for all of the amazing shows.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Another old timer. May she rest in peace.

[Publius]

Oh come with me
Where dreams are born
And time is never planned.
Just think of lovely things
And your heart will fly on wings
In Never-Never Land.

---Comden, Green & Charlap, 1952

[Socratic]

Talent, modesty and graciousness.

[livius]

Too true. Betty Comden and the rest have left behind a great legacy. They can be proud.

[WestNJersey]

Betty Comden and Adolph Green

[Syberyenta]

RUTH:
What do you think of our double malts...family vaults...epsom salts
Wouldn't you guys like to learn the waltz?
Nah, you just wanna...

BOTH:
Conga!

[Liberty Wins]

[proudofthesouth]

Well with Altman and that French actress dying this makes 3 celebrities that have died within the past few days.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Another legend of the music world died this morning - Anita O'Day - at age 87:

http://www.anitaoday.com/

[originalbuckeye]

Thanks for that! The only way I knew about Comden and Green was from the 'Peter Pan' songbook. I used to sing those songs to my son when he was small. They are beautiful and heartfelt!!

[Publius]

It was one of the truly great musicals. Betty Comden, Adolphe Green & Mark "Moose" Charlap took it to Broadway in 1952 where it ran two years. It became immortal thanks to NBC-TV broadcasts in 1956 and 1960.

In a BBC Radio interview just before his death in the Seventies, Cyril Ritchard said that Captain Hook was his favorite role in a lifetime spent in the theater. No other role offered him the chance to chew the scenery the way that show did.