'Ragtime Jimmie: The Music of James V. Monaco' at Don't Tell Mama

Wenhelm Productions presents 'Ragtime Jimmie: The Music of James V. Monaco, a musical revue directed and staged by Earl Wentz, at Don't Tell Mama from the 22 Oct - 5 Nov 2005.

'Ragtime Jimmie: The Music of James V. Monaco is a musical retrospective of the works of James V. Monaco, composer of 'You Made Me Love You,' and numerous other hits from 1911-1945. His music was featured in numerous films including 'The Jazz Singer,' 'The Road to Singapore' and 'Stage Door Canteen.' Some of the stars he wrote for included Lynn Bari, Linda Darnell, Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, Jack Oakie, Mary Martin, June Haver, Betty Grable, Martha Raye, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Al Jolson.

The musical retrospective presents 29 of his songs covering the entire spectrum of his professional life (1911-1945).

'Ragtime Jimmie: The Music of James V. Monaco features: Anna Ewing Bull, William Watkins and Laura Leigh Davidson.

Born in Italy in 1885, James V. Monaco's family emigrated to the United States when he was six years old, settling in Chicago. He earned his nickname as a teenager when he worked as a self-taught ragtime piano player at various Chicago nightspots. He published his first song in 1911.

Two years later he had his best-remembered hit, "You Made Me Love You" (with lyrics by Joe McCarthy). A smash originally, it earned a second go-round in popularity when it was used in the Judy Garland film "Broadway Melody of 1937." His work reached a new height in 1927 when his song "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face" became the first tune sung on film by Al Jolson in "The Jazz Singer." Other stars he wrote for included Lynn Bari, Linda Darnell, Benny Goodman, Jack Oakie, Mary Martin, June Haver, Betty Grable and Martha Raye. His work can be heard in the films "Dr. Rhythm" (1938 - one of six Bing Crosby pictures Monaco worked on), "The Road to Singapore" (1940), "Stage Door Canteen" (1943), "Pin Up Girl" (1944) and "The Dolly Sisters" (1945). From 1932 to 1936 he had his own dance band. When he died in 1945 at the age of 60, many in the Hollywood elite called him one of the most beloved men in the industry. He was elected to the Songwriters' Hall of Fame that same year.