[Dixielandjazz] Re: When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (was First CD and other trivia)

[Bill Haesler]

on 11/2/04 4:39 PM, Kurt at bowermastergroup at qwest.net quoted (in part):

The song "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" was written by George Graff, who was
German, and was never in Ireland in his life.
Dear Kurt, ole mate,
Not your day.
8>)
(from Google)
The lyrics to "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" were written by Chauncey Olcott
and George Graff Jr. and set to the music of Enerst Ball for Olcott's
production of 'The Isle O' Dreams'. The music was published in 1912.
Chauncey Olcott was born in Buffalo, New York. He produced several shows
about Ireland for the New York stage. His other hits included "My Wild Irish
Rose". Ernest Ball was also born in America, but was devoted to Ireland.
[Nothing about George Graff, Jr. but it is probable, given the above, that
he was an American of German origin.]
I also have an account of the musical 'The Isle O' Dreams' in book about the
American musical theatre, but will not bore you with the story other than to
say that the melodrama was set in 1799 at the time of Napoleon's threatened
invasion of Ireland. Most of the action takes place in a pub on an island
off the Irish coast. [I can relate to that!]
Both the pub and the island were called  'The Isle O' Dreams'.
Other songs from the musical play were "Mother Mchree" and  "The Isle O'
Dreams". The musical was popular in the US and toured widely for some years
after its opening in 1913.

OKOM content: "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" was recorded by the Mills Blue
Rhythm Band in 1937 and by the Casa Loma Orch in 1939.

Very kind regards,
Bill.
PS: Now for 'Scarface".
Just kidding.