Samuel Fox (1884-1971)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Fox, American music publisher and founder of the Sam Fox Publishing Company
and the first to publish original film scores in the United States.
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, who in 1907 was named music director of the newly-opened Cleveland Hippodrome Theater. Zemecnik began writing original scores for the films shown at the Hippodrome, which Fox published. The business arrangement between Fox and Zamecnik flourished and the music director became the major composer and music director for Sam Fox Publishing Company
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, the American march king, and maintained a working relationship with the musician until Sousa's death in 1934. It was during the same period Fox experienced an international hit with the publishing of "Nola," which was followed by "Lady of Spain" and "Neapolitan Nights," both of which also achieved acclaim. His film scoring for Hollywood companies was solidified with contracts with Fox Films and Movietone News as their exclusive musical producer. The Hollywood film work led to his publication of songs in Fox films, including "The Good Ship Lollipop" sung by Shirley Temple
.
Sam Fox Publishing Company
Sam Fox Publishing Company, American music publishing house founded in 1906 by Sam Fox of Cleveland, Ohio. The company was the first to publish original film scores in the United States, and was the publisher of numerous artists and international hit songs....
and the first to publish original film scores in the United States.
Early life
The son of Hungarian immigrants Simon and Sara Fox, Samuel Fox was born at Zanesville, Ohio, May 15, 1884. His father was a traveling salesman who moved the family to Cleveland, Ohio, and Fox resided with his parents and sister Muriel until the age of 25. As a young man, Fox worked as conductor of the Central High School Orchestras in Cleveland, an activity that served as a foundation for his pioneering work as a publisher of music for educational training and performance. With a $300 loan in 1906, Fox founded Sandbox Music Publishing company, later called Sam Fox Publishing CompanySam Fox Publishing Company
Sam Fox Publishing Company, American music publishing house founded in 1906 by Sam Fox of Cleveland, Ohio. The company was the first to publish original film scores in the United States, and was the publisher of numerous artists and international hit songs....
.
Early Music Publishing
His early efforts included the publishing of piano novelties, but he quickly branched into other types of music. Early on, Fox became acquainted with John Stepan ZamecnikJohn Stepan Zamecnik
John Stepan Zamecnik was an American composer and conductor, most notably of "photoplay music."...
, who in 1907 was named music director of the newly-opened Cleveland Hippodrome Theater. Zemecnik began writing original scores for the films shown at the Hippodrome, which Fox published. The business arrangement between Fox and Zamecnik flourished and the music director became the major composer and music director for Sam Fox Publishing Company
Sam Fox Publishing Company
Sam Fox Publishing Company, American music publishing house founded in 1906 by Sam Fox of Cleveland, Ohio. The company was the first to publish original film scores in the United States, and was the publisher of numerous artists and international hit songs....
.
Career
In 1917, Fox became the exclusive publisher for John Philip SousaJohn Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa was an American composer and conductor of the late Romantic era, known particularly for American military and patriotic marches. Because of his mastery of march composition, he is known as "The March King" or the "American March King" due to his British counterpart Kenneth J....
, the American march king, and maintained a working relationship with the musician until Sousa's death in 1934. It was during the same period Fox experienced an international hit with the publishing of "Nola," which was followed by "Lady of Spain" and "Neapolitan Nights," both of which also achieved acclaim. His film scoring for Hollywood companies was solidified with contracts with Fox Films and Movietone News as their exclusive musical producer. The Hollywood film work led to his publication of songs in Fox films, including "The Good Ship Lollipop" sung by Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple Black , born Shirley Jane Temple, is an American film and television actress, singer, dancer, autobiographer, and former U.S. Ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia...
.