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(born Feb. 15, 1905, Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.died April 23, 1986, New York, N.Y.) U.S. songwriter. After working as a performer and arranger, in 1929 he began a collaboration with lyricist Ted Koehler (18941973) with the song Get Happy; until the mid-1930s they wrote many songs that were featured in shows at Harlem's Cotton Club. Arlen's scores for Broadway musicals include (1944) and (1946). For Hollywood films Arlen wrote the songs It's Only a Paper Moon, Let's Fall in Love, and That Old Black Magic. His most famous song is perhaps Over the Rainbow (lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) from (1939).
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