Henryk Wars

Henryk Wars (real name Henryk Warszawski, 1902, Warsaw - 1977, USA) was a Polish and later American pop music composer.

Related Topics:
1902 - Warsaw - 1977 - USA - Polish

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During the 1930s, he wrote the songs for a string of musical comedies. His melodies from this period are very well remembered in Poland today, together with songs by Jerzy Petersburski and Zygmunt Wiehler. His importance for the Polish musical comedy could be compared to the importance of Irving Berlin to American musical comedy.

Related Topics:
1930s - Musical comedies - Jerzy Petersburski - Zygmunt Wiehler - Irving Berlin

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He finished studying at the Music Conservatory in Warsaw in 1925. He composed his first film score in 1930 after gaining renown as a conductor and performer at various Warsaw cabarets and theaters.

Related Topics:
1925 - 1930 - Warsaw - Cabarets

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Shortly before the outbreak of World War II Henry Wars was drafted into the Polish Army and served in the September 1939 Campaign. He was taken prisoner of war by the German army but managed to escape from stopped train. He organized the big band Tea-Jazz in Lvov in 1940, then under Soviet control. In late 1941, he and his musicians joined Polish II Corps of General Anders as part of the Polska Parada cabaret. After being demobilized from the army, he immigrated to the United States.

Related Topics:
World War II - Polish Army - September 1939 Campaign - Prisoner of war - German army - Lvov - Soviet - 1941 - Polish II Corps - General Anders - United States

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In the USA he changed his named to Henry Vars and after a period of struggling and poverty, he managed to resume his musical career. His songs were sung by Bing Crosby, Doris Day, Brenda Lee and Dinah Shore. He did the music and the song for the Flipper movie and television series.

Related Topics:
Bing Crosby - Doris Day - Brenda Lee - Dinah Shore - Flipper

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