Hugh Martin

After making his Broadway acting debut in the short-lived musical "Hooray for What!" (1937), for which he also created the vocal arrangements, Hugh Martin went to work for Richard Rodgers on "The Boys from Syracuse" (1938), arranging the show-stopping "Sing for Your Supper." In 1941, he and writing partner Ralph Blane had a hit with "Best Foot Forward" starring Nancy Walker. The pair was invited to join MGM's illustrious music unit under Arthur Freed where they oversaw the 1943 film version of their Broadway success. Martin subsequently received Best Song Oscar nominations (with Blane) for "The Trolley Song" from "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944) and "Pass the Peace Pipe" from "Good News" (1947, also with Roger Edens). Judy Garland's pianist for her NYC Palace appearances in 1951, he walked off the set of "A Star Is Born" (1954) when he clashed with the singer over her interpretation of the song "The Man That Got Away."