"Avalon" is a 1920 popular song written by Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva and Vincent Rose referencing Avalon, California.[2] It was introduced by Jolson and interpolated in the musicals Sinbad and Bombo. Jolson's recording rose to number two on the charts in 1921.[2] The song was possibly written by Rose, but Jolson's popularity as a performer allowed him to claim composer co-credit.[2] Originally, only Rose and Jolson were credited, and DeSylva's name was added later.[2]
The tune's opening melody resembles a part of Giacomo Puccini's aria E lucevan le stelle, from the opera Tosca, but in the major key.[2] Puccini's publishers sued the song's composers in 1921 for use of the melody, and were awarded $25,000 and all subsequent royalties of the song by the court.[2]
It appears in It's a Wonderful Life ( 1946). It is playing in the background in the party scene about 35 minutes into the film, where George Bailey's mother urges George to pay a visit to Mary Hatch.
↑ Jasen, David A. (2002). A Century of American Popular Music: 2000 Best-Loved and Remembered Songs (1899-1999). Taylor & Francis. p.14. ISBN0-415-93700-0.
↑ "Avalon" sung by Al Jolson (audio only) from Rose of Washington Square (1939) on YouTube
Paul Samuel Whiteman was an American bandleader, composer, orchestral director, and violinist.
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Harry Akst was an American songwriter, who started out his career as a pianist in vaudeville accompanying singers such as Nora Bayes, Frank Fay and Al Jolson.
Vincent Rose(néVincenzo Cacioppo; 13 June 1880 Palermo, Italy – 20 May 1944 Rockville Centre, New York) was an Italian-born American violinist, pianist, composer, and bandleader.
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