RADICAL RESPONSES TO THE GREAT
DEPRESSION Unemployment, Hunger and Deprivation |
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"Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" Autograph
score, 1932. Jay Gorney, one of the most active writers of popular
songs during the 1920s and 1930s, was a graduate of the University of
Michigan in 1917 (A.B.) and in 1919 (LL.B.). After only one year in
the practice of law, Gorney moved to New York City and established a
very successful musical career. He wrote songs and directed and
produced musical plays, revues, and movies. Some of his best-known
songs were composed for Broadway shows, such as this famous
depression-era song, "Brother, can you spare a dime?", written for
the musical revue, Americana, which opened on Broadway in
1932. The Jay Gorney Papers were donated to the University of
Michigan in 1969. |