About
Kenneth Lorin Darby (May 13, 1909 – January 24, 1992) was an American composer, vocal arranger, lyricist, and conductor. His film scores were recognized by the awarding of three Academy Awards and one Grammy Award. He provided vocals for the Munchkinland mayor in The Wizard of Oz (1939), who was portrayed in the film by Charlie Becker. Darby is also notable as the author of The Brownstone House of Nero Wolfe (1983), a biography of the home of Rex Stout's fictional detective. Ken Darby's choral group, The Ken Darby Singers, sang backup for Bing Crosby on the original 1942 Decca Records studio recording of "White Christmas." In 1940 they also sang on the first album ever made of the songs from The Wizard of Oz, a film on which Darby had worked. However, the album was a studio cast recording, not a true soundtrack album (although it did feature Judy Garland), and it did not use the film's...
Known for
The Wizard of OzMovie • 1939
Gentlemen Prefer BlondesMovie • 1953
Fun and Fancy FreeMovie • 1947
How the West Was WonMovie • 1962
Song of the SouthMovie • 1946
CarouselMovie • 1956
River of No ReturnMovie • 1954
Bus StopMovie • 1956
Make Mine MusicMovie • 1946
Desk SetMovie • 1957
Rancho NotoriousMovie • 1952
South PacificMovie • 1958
Trick or TreatMovie • 1952
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?Movie • 1957
Elmer GantryMovie • 1960
For Me and My GalMovie • 1942
Flower Drum SongMovie • 1961
Texas TomMovie • 1950
Two-Faced WomanMovie • 1941
Porgy and BessMovie • 1959
Call Me MadamMovie • 1953
Donald's DilemmaMovie • 1947
Hittin' the Trail for Hallelujah LandMovie • 1931