Louis "Lou" Silvers ( Louis Silberstein; September 6, 1889 – March 26, 1954) was an American film score composer whose work has been used in more than 250 movies. In 1935, he won the first Academy Award for Best Original Score for One Night of Love.[1]

Louis Silvers
Silvers in 1921
Silvers in 1921
Background information
Birth nameLouis Silberstein
Also known asLou Silvers
Born(1889-09-06)September 6, 1889
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 26, 1954(1954-03-26) (aged 64)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film composer
Spouse(s)Janet Adair

Early life edit

Silvers was born in New York City.

Career edit

Silvers scored the sound sequences in the D. W. Griffith film Dream Street (1921), and scored the part-talking feature film The Jazz Singer (1927).[2] He was also music director for Lux Radio Theater for most of its long run (1934–1955).

He is the composer of the song "April Showers" (1921).[3]

Personal life and death edit

Silvers was married to Janet Adair. On March 26, 1954, Silvers died of a heart ailment in Hollywood, California.

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award Result Category Film
1935 Academy Award Won Best Music, Score One Night of Love
1938 Nominated Best Music, Score In Old Chicago
1939 Nominated Best Music, Original Score Suez
1940 Nominated Best Music, Scoring Swanee River

Selected filmography edit

Bibliography edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ ASCAP, 1980, p. 465.
  2. ^ Gammond 1991, p. 529.
  3. ^ Copyrights, July 15, 1921, p. 1078.

References edit

  • ASCAP (1980). "Silvers, Louis" → ASCAP Biographical Dictionary (4th ed.). Jaques Cattell Press. p. 465. ISBN 9780835212830 – via Internet Archive (Kahle/Austin Foundation). LCCN 80-65351; ISBN 0-8352-1283-1.
  • Catalogue of Copyright Entries. "Part 3: Musical Compositions." "New Series" – via Google Books  .
    "April Showers," B.G. DeSylva (words), Silvers (music).
    1. Vol. 16. Part 2. September 1921. No. 9. ©15 July 1921; E 515575 (Class E; musical composition); Harms, Inc. p. 1078.

External links edit