Biography

Heinz Roemheld was born on May 1, 1901 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He was a composer, known for The Lady from Shanghai (1947), Melinda and Melinda (2004) and A Bronx Tale (1993). He was married to Emeline Defnet. He died on February 11, 1985 in Huntington Beach, California, USA.

Learned to play piano at age 4. By the time he was 12 he had performed publicly in vaudeville theatre. Graduated from the Wisconsin College of Music, then studied composition in Berlin. Later became a prolific composer of piano preludes, sonatinas and other classical music.

Composed the standard "Ruby" for Ruby Gentry (1952).

Spotted by Carl Laemmle while leading the orchestra at the Milwaukee Alhambra Theater screening of The Phantom of the Opera (1925). At first appointed manager of Universal theaters in Berlin, then became musical director in 1929. At Warner Brothers (1938-45), United Artists (1946-48) and Columbia (1949-50), followed by freelance work. Joined ASCAP in 1948.

Father of Ann Cullen and father-in-law of Bill Cullen. Father of Mary Lou Roemheld and father-in-law of Jack Narz (later divorced).

Held a position as Chief of Film, Theater and Music Sections of the Information Control Division, with American forces in Europe, in 1945.