Charles Previn

Updated on Oct 04, 2024

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Name Charles Previn Role Film composer		Education Cornell University

Died September 21, 1973, Los Angeles, California, United States Parents Morris Previn, Henrietta Previn Siblings Jules Previn, Bessie Previn, Stanley S. Previn, Arthur Gerald Previn, Leo Previn, William Oliver Previn, Rosie Previn Awards Academy Award for Best Original Music Score Similar People Frank Skinner, Hans J Salter, Joe Pasternak, Deanna Durbin, Henry Koster

THE WOLF MAN (Main Title) (1941 - Universal)

THE MUMMY'S TOMB (Main Title) (1942 - Universal)

Charles Previn (January 11, 1888 - September 21, 1973) was an American film composer who was highly active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before going to Hollywood, Previn had arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions.

Previn was born in Brooklyn. He graduated from Brooklyn High School and obtained a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1910. He obtained a master's degree from New York College of Music.

From 1936 to 1944, Previn was musical director at Universal, overseeing everything from horror pictures to Arabian Nights fantasies. He was the great-uncle of German-born composer, pianist, conductor André Previn and TV and film director Steve Previn (brothers). He died in Los Angeles, aged 85.

Professional career

Musician and conductor of vaudeville and musical comedy

Conductor of the St. Louis Municipal Opera

Conductor of NBC's Camel Pleasure Hour in 1930, featuring cornetist Bix Beiderbecke

Conductor on the NBC radio series Silken Strings from 1934 through 1936

1936-1944 – Musical director, arranger, composer and conductor at Universal. While there, Previn accumulated over 225 films to his credit, including most of Deanna Durbin's films.

1944 – Previn began working at other studios

1945-1947 – Previn succeeded Ernö Rapée as music director/conductor of the Radio City Music Hall Symphony

1947 – Previn returned to Hollywood and worked at Eagle-Lion and MGM

1947 – Ithaca Conservatory of Music awarded Previn an honorary doctorate

1953 – Previn retired

While at Universal, Previn composed uncredited stock music for several studio's releases.

Oscar Award

Best Score (1937) — One Hundred Men and a Girl - Musical Director

Academy Award nominations

Best Score (1938) — Mad About Music (w. Frank Skinner)

Best Score (1939) — First Love

Best Score (1940) — Spring Parade

Scoring of a Musical Picture (1941) — Buck Privates

Scoring of a Musical Picture (1942) — It Started With Eve (w. Hans J. Salter)

Scoring of a Musical Picture (1944) — Song of the Open Road

Parents

Father: Rabbi Morris Previn (December 1860, Russia – 16 August 1929 Brooklyn)

Mother: Henrietta Previn (September 1859, Germany - September 1948 New York, NY)

Siblings

Rosie (December 1882, Germany – May 1948, New York, NY)

Leo Previn (3 August 1884, Graudenz, Germany – February 1954, New York, NY)

Arthur Gerald Previn (14 February 1886 Germany – July 1969, Falls Church, Virginia)

Bess (born October 1892, New York City -- April 30, 1983, New York City)

Jules Previn (23 July 1894, Connecticut – January 1976, Virginia)

William Oliver Previn (19 June 1896 New York City – 16 August 1978 Washington, D.C.)

Stanley S. Previn (3 August 1899 – November 1973, Los Angeles)

References

Charles Previn Wikipedia

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