At the Moving Picture Ball

"At the Moving Picture Ball" is a popular song composed by Joseph H. Santly^[1][2] (né Joseph Harry Santly; 1886–1962) and recorded by many artists during the silent film era. Today the song is best remembered for its unusually topical lyrics, which mention many celebrities of the time. In fact, by 1920, the lyrics of the song had already been changed, since several celebrities mentioned had lost popularity. Judy Garland and Donald O'Connor performed the song on the 1963 TV series, The Judy Garland Show, during a "tribute to vaudeville" medley.

Selected discography

Atlantic Records

Bobby Short (1956)

Atlantic 1230

OCLC 18728754

(audio sample via YouTube)

Argo Records, London

Hip Hooray for Neville Chamberlain (1974)

Ian Whitcomb

Argo ZDA162

OCLC 30328354

Copyright

• "At the Moving Picture Ball"

Howard Johnson (words)

Joseph Santly (music)

Leo Feist, Inc., New York

© 8 January 1920; E470306

OCLC 25600636

Sheet music^{[permanent dead link‍]}, courtesy of Johns Hopkins University Libraries

Note: The sheet music cover art (unsigned) – in red, white, and black – shows movie stars in burlesque attire at a masquerade party

References

1. The ASCAP Biographical Dictionary (3rd ed.), compiled and edited by the Lynn Farnal Group, Inc., New York: Crowell (1966)
   "Santly, Joseph H."
   OCLC 145365368, 956660270, 10721505
   OCLC 959824264, 460338866
2. The ASCAP Biographical Dictionary (4th ed.), compiled for the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers – by Jaques Cattell Press, New York: R. R. Bowker Co. (1980)
   "Santly, Joseph H.," pg. 441
   OCLC 7065938, 607901541, 568030296
   OCLC 41386928, 12259500, 180504594
   OCLC 723489684
   (Search only via HathiTrust)

External links

• Public domain version of the song at the internet archive