Skinner, Frank (1897-1968) | University of Illinois Archives

Name: Skinner, Frank (1897-1968)

Digital Content Created by Skinner, Frank

Historical Note: Frank Skinner (1897-1968) was born in Meridosia, Illinois on December 31, 1897. He began his musical career playing piano with his brother Carl on several American vaudeville circuits. In the 1930s, he began arranging songs for New York area dance bands. In 1934 he published F. Skinner's Simplified Method of Modern Arranging. In 1936, he moved to Hollywood to become a film composer, his debut came in an arrangement for MGM's The Great Ziegfield. The bulk of his career was spent at Universal Studios, where he worked from 1937 until 1966. During this time he became known for his horror film music, although he wrote music for several other genres including westerns, historical hiction, and romance films. His most significant film scores were written for Son of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Saboteur, Arabian Nights, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Spring Parade, House of the Seven Gables, Mad About Music, Shenandoah, The Amazing Mrs. Holiday, Written on the Wind, Black Street, Imitation of Life, and Ride to the Hangman's Tree. He was nominated for five oscars for best music score in 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944, but never won.

Sources:

IMDb (Internet Movie Database)

https://www.library.illinois.edu/mpal/about/collections/specialcollections/collections_descriptions/skinner

Note Author: Nolan Vallier