Philip Green

b. 1911, England, d. 1982, Dublin, Eire. Although not a big ‘name’ as far as the public is concerned, Green was one of the most prolific ‘backroom-boys’ in the British music business. He is believed to have created more original compositions than any other writer, and he scored over 150 British films. His radio credits included the theme for BBC’s Meet The Huggets (‘Horse Feathers’) and among the countless television shows which used his music were BBC’s Picture Page (‘Shopping Centre’), ITV’s early filmed drama Ghost Squad and ATV’sThe Golden Shot. Green’s first recording for EMI Records was in 1933, and from 1935-39 he was closely associated with commercial radio, at times up to 17 shows a week. During the war he was responsible for numerous successful BBC series such as Salute To Rhythm, Band Call, Cuban Caballeros and Music Society Of Lower Basin Street. He assisted Gracie Fields’ revival after the war (her big hits ‘Now Is The Hour’ and ‘Pedro The Fisherman’ were recorded under his musical direction). Green also composed under the names Don Felipe, Louise Duke and Jose Belmonte. Some of his memorable works included his ‘Cuban Suite’, ‘La Maja De Goya’, ‘Ecstasy - Tango’, ‘White Orchids’, ‘Follow Me Around’, ‘Romance’ (from the film The Magic Bow), ‘Two Mexican Pictures’, ‘Sensation For Strings’, ‘Mandolins In The Moonlight’, ‘Silhouette’ and ‘Pan American Panorama’. In the cinema Green’s main scores included Saints And Sinners (1946), Man On The Run (1949), Ha’penny Breeze (1950), Young Wives Tale (1951), Isn’t Life Wonderful (1952), Park Plaza 605 (1953), Conflict Of Wings - US title Fuss Over Feathers (1954), One Good Turn (1954), John And Julie (1955), The March Hare (1956), Carry On Admiral - US title The Ship Was Loaded (1957), Sea Fury (1958), The Square Peg (1958), Violent Playground (1958), The Golden Disc - US title The In-Between Age (1958), Operation Amsterdam (1959), Sapphire (1959), Make Mine Mink (1960), The League Of Gentlemen (1960), The Singer Not The Song (1961), Victim (1961), Tiara Tahiti (1962), A Stitch In Time (1963), Masquerade (1964), The Intelligence Men - US title Spylarks (1965), and The Yellow Hat (1967). His themes for John And Julie and The March Hare won Ivor Novello Awards, and he became resident musical director of the Rank Organisation. He also wrote many short pieces for publishers’ libraries (Chappell, Francis Day & Hunter, Paxton, Photoplay etc.) especially for radio, film and television use. Green’s hundreds of commercial recordings included hit selections, various novelty and jazz numbers, countless accompaniments for popular singers plus special recordings for Decca Records’ wartime Music While You Work series and a series of MGM 78s for the American market.