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"F" is for Freed, Arthur [1894-1973]

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  "F" is for Freed, Arthur [1894-1973] Film producer, songwriter. The son of Hungarian immigrants, Freed was born in Charleston, but traveled extensively with his father—an art dealer. During World War I, as an army sergeant, he composed songs and put on shows to entertain servicemen. After the war he and Nacio Herb Brown purchased the Orange Grove Theater in Los Angeles where they produced musical shows. In 1929 the pair was invited to compose songs for MGM’s “Broadway Melody” which won the Oscar for best picture. Freed became best-known for his work with MGM in producing the studio’s popular musicals, including: Meet Me in St. Louis, Annie Get Your Gun, Singin’in the Rain, An American in Paris, and Gigi. The last two brought him Oscars. Arthur Freed served as president of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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