Biography

Erno Rapee was born on June 4, 1891 in Budapest, Hungary. He was a composer, known for The Island (2005), The Green Mile (1999) and Matchstick Men (2003). He was married to Mariska ?. He died on June 26, 1945 in New York City, New York, USA.

His two most popularly enduring compositions were the songs 'Charmaine', written in 1926, and 'Diane', written for the 1927 silent movie "Seventh Heaven". The first was later recorded, among others, by Mantovani and Billy May, the second (famously) by Ray Charles and by the Miles Davis Quartet.

In addition to international renown in Europe as conductor and composer of piano concertos, he held positions as musical director with various theatres in New York. Chief conductor of the Radio City Symphony Orchestra from 1932 until 1945.

Under contract at 20th Century Fox, 1924-1929, and 1931.