CLINT EASTWOOD presents
JOHNNY MERCER: THE DREAM’S ON ME
A DOCUMENTRY
Admired and praised by the likes of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer has been described as “one of our great folk poets” and “the most perfect American lyricist.”
Throughout his extraordinary career, he collaborated with literally hundreds of composers. With Richard Whiting he wrote “Hooray for Hollywood,” with Harry Warren, “Jeepers Creepers” and “Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, “ with Hoagy Carmichael, “Lazybones,” and “Skylark” “with Jerome Kern “I’m Old Fashioned,” with Harold Arlen “Blues in the Night”,”Old Black Magic” and “ One For My Baby “. and with Henry Mancini he created the Academy Award-winning songs “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”
Among the great songwriters of the day, Mercer’s lyrics and rhythms reflect a place and a culture far removed from the sophistication of New York City. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Johnny Mercer grew up surrounded by the beauty of marshes, rivers and seacoast, and his lyrics often reflect the imagery of the natural world. They also reflect the cadence and expressions of the African-American culture. The influence of his southern roots would stay with him, shaping both his lyric writing and his singing style.
Apart from his musical creativity, in 1942 Mercer co-founded Capitol Records. He persuaded a number of stars to record on the Capitol label, among them Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, and his former boss, Paul Whiteman.
For all his success as a writer and performer, Mercer had one great ambition: a successful Broadway production. In 1946 he partnered with Harold Arlen on St. Louis Woman. The show produced several hit songs, including “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home” and “Come Rain or
Come Shine” .But it would be 1956 before Mercer finally realized his dream with the production of L’il Abner.
Mercer made many musical appearances on television programs including The Bing Crosby Show, The Perry Como Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Dinah Shore Chevy Show.
Because his music continues to speak to us even today, the story of Johnny Mercer’s life and work has widespread appeal. To mark the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1909, this documentary will present the life and work of Johnny Mercer through the story telling eyes of Clint Eastwood with new performances and interviews by:
TONY BENNETT, JOHN WILLIAMS, JULIE ANDREWS, DR.JOHN, MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, BLAKE EDWARDS, JAMIE CULLUM, AUDRA McDONALD, ANDRE PREVIN,MAUDE MAGGART, ALAN BERGMAN and STEPHEN HOLDEN
.
Also, with the co-production help of the BBC, the documentary will feature their rare interviews and performances by Mr. Mercer. This historical material will be aided by footage from such movies as BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, THE HARVEY GIRLS, DADDY LONG LEGS, and BLUES IN THE NIGHT and television appearances from the above noted programs.
Bruce Ricker
Director/Producer
JOHNNY MERCER: THE DREAM’S ON ME
A DOCUMENTRY
Admired and praised by the likes of Irving Berlin and Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer has been described as “one of our great folk poets” and “the most perfect American lyricist.”
Throughout his extraordinary career, he collaborated with literally hundreds of composers. With Richard Whiting he wrote “Hooray for Hollywood,” with Harry Warren, “Jeepers Creepers” and “Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe, “ with Hoagy Carmichael, “Lazybones,” and “Skylark” “with Jerome Kern “I’m Old Fashioned,” with Harold Arlen “Blues in the Night”,”Old Black Magic” and “ One For My Baby “. and with Henry Mancini he created the Academy Award-winning songs “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”
Among the great songwriters of the day, Mercer’s lyrics and rhythms reflect a place and a culture far removed from the sophistication of New York City. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Johnny Mercer grew up surrounded by the beauty of marshes, rivers and seacoast, and his lyrics often reflect the imagery of the natural world. They also reflect the cadence and expressions of the African-American culture. The influence of his southern roots would stay with him, shaping both his lyric writing and his singing style.
Apart from his musical creativity, in 1942 Mercer co-founded Capitol Records. He persuaded a number of stars to record on the Capitol label, among them Jo Stafford, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Stan Kenton, and his former boss, Paul Whiteman.
For all his success as a writer and performer, Mercer had one great ambition: a successful Broadway production. In 1946 he partnered with Harold Arlen on St. Louis Woman. The show produced several hit songs, including “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home” and “Come Rain or
Come Shine” .But it would be 1956 before Mercer finally realized his dream with the production of L’il Abner.
Mercer made many musical appearances on television programs including The Bing Crosby Show, The Perry Como Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Merv Griffin Show and The Dinah Shore Chevy Show.
Because his music continues to speak to us even today, the story of Johnny Mercer’s life and work has widespread appeal. To mark the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1909, this documentary will present the life and work of Johnny Mercer through the story telling eyes of Clint Eastwood with new performances and interviews by:
TONY BENNETT, JOHN WILLIAMS, JULIE ANDREWS, DR.JOHN, MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, BLAKE EDWARDS, JAMIE CULLUM, AUDRA McDONALD, ANDRE PREVIN,MAUDE MAGGART, ALAN BERGMAN and STEPHEN HOLDEN
.
Also, with the co-production help of the BBC, the documentary will feature their rare interviews and performances by Mr. Mercer. This historical material will be aided by footage from such movies as BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS, THE HARVEY GIRLS, DADDY LONG LEGS, and BLUES IN THE NIGHT and television appearances from the above noted programs.
Bruce Ricker
Director/Producer