Biography
Harry Barris (November 24, 1905 β December 13, 1962) was an American popular singer and songwriter. He was one of the earliest singers to use "scat singing" in recordings. Barris, one of Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, along with Bing Crosby and Al Rinker, scatted on several songs, including "Mississippi Mud," which Barris wrote in 1927. Barris was born to Jewish parents in New York City. Gary Giddins described him as "small, wiry, and moon-faced with glittery eyes, and dark hair slicked back and parted in the middle." He was educated in Denver, Colorado. Barris became a professional pianist at the age of 14. He led a band which toured the Far East at the age of 17.Barris married Hazelle Thompson in 1925 and they had a daughter, Hazelle Barris, in 1926.
The same year, Barris played the piano and occasionally sang in Paul Ash's orchestra. In the same year, Al Rinker and Bing Crosby became members of Paul Whiteman's Orchestra as a singing duo. However, appearing at the vast New York Paramount in February 1927, where there were no microphones, they could not be heard by the audience. They were promptly dropped from the bill. However, a band member who knew Barris suggested that they add him to make a trio and The Rhythm Boys were formed in April 1927.In 1930, Barris divorced Hazelle Thompson. The Rhythm Boys left Paul Whiteman the same year and joined Gus Arnheim's Cocoanut Grove Orchestra. They made one more recording together, "Them There Eyes" (November 20, 1930), but the boys decided to quit in May 1931 and they went their separate ways. However, Barris changed his mind and returned to the Cocoanut Grove to complete his contract. Barris joined Arnheim's singing group The Three Ambassadors. Barris met Loyce Whiteman, who also sang with the Orchestra, and married her in 1931. They appear together in an episode of Rambling 'Round Radio Row. They had one daughter, Marti Barris, who also became a musician. They divorced in 1946.
Barris appeared in 57 films between 1931 and 1950, usually as a band member, pianist and/or singer. Seven of those films had Bing Crosby as the star. In 1932, Barris signed a contract to star in six shorts for Educational Pictures, similar to Bing Crosby's launch into films. The first of these shorts was That Rascal. In The Lost Weekend (1945), he is the nightclub pianist who humiliates Ray Milland by singing "Somebody Stole My Purse". An unusual change of pace for Barris was his comedy role in The Fleet's In (1942), as a runty sailor named Pee Wee who perpetrates malapropisms in a surprisingly deep voice.
During World War II, Barris, along with Joe E. Brown, went overseas to entertain troops.Barris had a lifelong drinking problem. In a fall, he fractured his hip in March 1961. Despite a series of operations, his condition deteriorated. He died in Burbank, California, aged 57. His composition "Never Been So Lost" was published shortly before his death.
Filmography
all 39
Movies 39
self 2
The Blue Dahlia (1946)
Young Widow (1946)
The Lost Weekend (1945)
The Great American Mug (1945)
Anchors Aweigh (1945)
Steppin' in Society (1945)
Woo, Woo! (1945)
Here Come the Waves (1944)
Open Season for Saps (1944)
And the Angels Sing (1944)
Is Everybody Happy? (1943)
Better Not Roll Those Eyes (1942)
Priorities on Parade (1942)
Holiday Inn (1942)
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (1942)
The Fleet's In (1942)
Birth of the Blues (1941)
West Point Widow (1941)
Blondie Goes Latin (1941)
Rhythm on the River (1940)
Some Like It Hot (1939)
Trade Winds (1938)
The Shining Hour (1938)
Cowboy from Brooklyn (1938)
Something to Sing About (1937)
Double or Nothing (1937)
Show Boat (1936)
Every Night at Eight (1935)
Gentlemen of Polish (1934)
Secret Sinners (1933)
Rambling 'Round Radio Row #2 (1932)
Now's the Time (1932)
He's a Honey (1932)
That Rascal (1932)
The Tip-Off (1931)
The Spirit of Notre Dame (1931)
Blue of the Night (1931)
Confessions of a Co-Ed (1931)
Two Plus Fours (1930)
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1905-11-24
Deathday1962-12-13 (57 years old)
Birth PlaceNew York City, United States of America
RelationshipsLoyce Whiteman (1931-01-01 - 1946-01-01)
ChildrenMarti Barris
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsThe Rhythm Boys
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