William Axt papers, 1910-1959
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Axt, William, 1888-1959
- Title
- William Axt papers
- Dates
- 1910-1959 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 3.91 cubic ft. (6 containers)
- Collection Number
- 03105
- Summary
- William Axt was an American composer and conductor. Collection contains music scores and arrangements by him.
- Repository
- American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
William Axt was an American composer and conductor. He was born in New York City, New York on April 19, 1888. He earned his Doctor of Music from the University of Chicago in 1922 and served as a conductor for the Hammerstein Grand Opera Company and Capitol Theatre. In 1929, he joined the music department of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where he composed hundreds of film scores during his career, including scores for "Ben-Hur" (1925) "Grand Hotel" (1932), and "The Thin Man" (1934). After retiring from the film industry, he lived the remainder of his life in California until his death in 1959.
Content Description
The collection contains music scores and arrangements by William Axt, as well as clippings, correspondence, photographs, a conductor’s baton, and video recordings of films for which Axt wrote, arranged, or conducted the music scores.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
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Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
This material was received from Edward S. Axt from 1969-1971 and from Barbara Axt from 2021-2023.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Roger Simon in May-June 2026.
Related Materials
There are no known other archival collections created by William Axt as of the date of processing.
Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Music Scores
A. Movie Scores
- Description: “Eskimo” (1933)
A bound volume labeled “Eskimo.” “This score is regarded to be the foremost musical work descriptive of our Eskimo people It is one of my father’s favorite scores.”
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 1 - Description: “Parnell” (1937)
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Parnell,” “The Big City,” but includes the score for “Parnell” only.
Dates: 1937Container: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “Reminiscences – Volume 2.” Includes scores for the feature films “Hell Below” (1933), “Gabriel Over the White House” (1933), “Reunion in Vienna” (1933), “Dinner at Eight” (1934), “Fugitive Lovers” [“Transcontinental Bus”] (1934), “It Happened One Day” (1934), “Lazy River” [“In Old Louisiana”] (1934), “Manhattan Melodrama” (1934), “The Mystery of Mr. X” [Mystery of the Dead Police”] (1934), “Operator 13” (1934), “Sadie McKee” (1934), “The Thin Man” (1934), and “You Can’t Buy Everything” [“Old Hannibal”] (1934), as well as scores for the short “Block and Tackle” (1932) and the trailers for “Manhattan Melodrama” and “Sadie McKee.”
Dates: 1933-1934, undatedContainer: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Between Two Women,” “The Bad Man of Brimstone,” “The Umbrella Man,” “White Dragon,” “The Killlr,” but includes scores for the feature films “Eskimo” (1933) and “Big City” (1937), as well as the score for the short “Ski Skill” (1937).
Dates: 1933-1937, undatedContainer: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Fast Company,” “Listen Darling,” “Spring Madness,” “Stand Up and Fight,” “White Collars,” “The Kid from Texas,” “Sergeant Madden,” “Tell No Tales,” “Odds & Ends,” but includes scores for the feature films “Lazy River” (1934), “A Wicked Woman” (1934), “David Copperfield” (1935), “Last of the Pagans” [“Typee”] (1935), “O’Shaughnessy’s Boy” (1935), “Fast Company” (1938), “Rich Man, Poor Girl” [“White Collars”] (1938), “Three Loves Has Nancy” (1938), “The Kid from Texas” (1939), “Sergeant Madden” (1939), “Stand Up and Fight” (1939), and “Tell No Tales” (1939), as well as scores for the shorts “Trained Hoofs” (1935) and “Heroes in Repose” (probably “Heroes at Leisure” (1939)).
Dates: 1934-1939, undatedContainer: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “Reminiscences – Volume 1.” Includes scores for the feature films “Mutiny on the Bounty” (1935), “All American Chump” [“Chained Lightning”] (1936), “The Garden Murder Case” (1936), “Old Hutch” (1936), “Between Two Women” (1937), “The First Hundred Years” [“Wooden Wedding”] (1937), “The Last of Mrs. Cheney” (1937), and “Under Cover of Night” (1937).
Dates: 1935-1937Container: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Pitcairn Island,” Three Wise Guys,” Garden Murder Case,” “Old Hutch,” “Chained Lightning,” “Under Cover of Night,” “Last of Mrs. Cheney,” “Turn About,” “Ski Ballet,” but includes scores for the feature films “Libeled Lady” (1936), “Piccadilly Jim” (1936), “Suzy” (1936), “Tough Guy” (1936), “Beg Borrow or Steal” (1937), and “Everybody Sing” (1938).
Dates: 1936-1937Container: Box 1 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Pygmalion,” “Yellow Jack,” “The Girl Downstairs,” but includes scores for the feature films “Mad Holiday” [“White Dragon”] (1936), “Between Two Women” (1937), “Song of the City” (1937), and “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry” (1937), as well as the score for the short “Bar Rac’s Night Out” (1936).
Dates: 1936-1937Container: Box 2 - Description: Assorted
A bound volume labeled “M.G. M. Productions – “Libeled Lady,” “Everybody Sing,” Turn About,” “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry,” “Song of the City,” “Bar Rac,” but includes scores for the feature films “Three Godfathers” (1936), “The Bad Man of Brimstone” (1937), and “London by Night” [“The Umbrella”] (1937).
Dates: 1936-1937Container: Box 2
B. Sheet Music
- Description: Series Sheet Music by Axt
A bound volume labeled “Memories.” Music written and co-written by Axt from several series, including “Capitol Photoplay Series,” “Famous Photoplay Series,” “Gold Seal Library Series,” “Popular Standard Series,” and “Red Seal Concert Series.”
Dates: 1923-1929Container: Box 2 Assorted Sheet Music by Axt
- Description: B-I
- “The Big Parade” by David Mendoza & Axt (adaptation and arrangement) with original compositions by Axt (Photo Play Music Co., Inc., NY, NY) - undated;
- “Bygones – An Autumn Romance” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) (two copies) - 1923;
- “By the Stream – Novelette” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) - 1925;
- “Cross Roads” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) - 1928;
- “Debutante – Caprice” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923;
- “Dew Drops – Romance” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923;
- “Don Juan” by Harry Lee (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Warner Bro’s Pictures Inc., NY, NY) (three copies) - 1926;
- “Fair Co-Ed” by Alfred Bryan (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (music) (Waterston, Berlin & Snyder Co., NY, NY) - 1927;
- “Flower of Love” by Dreyer and Ruby (lyrics) & Axt and Mendoza (music) (Irving Berlin, Inc., NY, NY) (two copies) - 1928;
- “Flower of Love” by Dreyer and Ruby (lyrics) & Axt and Mendoza (music) (J. Albert & Son, Sydney, Australia) - 1928;
- “Had But I Known” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) - 1925;
- “Heart’s Pleading – Serenade” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) (two copies) - 1924;
- “I Close My Eyes” by Earl Carroll & Axt (G. Schirmer, NY, NY) - 1920;
- “If Love Were All” by Martha Lois Wells (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1922;
- “If Love Were All” by Martha Lois Wells (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923;
- “If Love Were All” by Martha Lois Wells (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) (three copies) - 1922;
- “If Love Were All” by Martha Lois Wells (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) - 1922;
- “If Love Were All” by D. Savino (piano solo arrangement) & Martha Lois Wells and Axt (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) - 1946;
- “I Loved You Then As I Loved You Now” by Ballard Macdonald (lyrics) & Axt and Mendoza (music) (Irving Berlin, Inc., NY, NY) (five copies) - 1928; and
- “In a Little Hide-Away” by Howard Dietz & Axt and Mendoza (music) (Irving Berlin, Inc., NY, NY) - 1928
Dates: 1923-1928, 1946, undatedContainer: Box 2 - Description: J-Y
- “Just You” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) - 1929;
- “La Bohème” by Axt (original compositions) & David Mendoza and Axt (synchronization) (Photo Play Music Co., Inc., NY, NY) - undated;
- “La Piquante – Air de Ballet” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) (two copies) - 1924;
- “Live and Love” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) (three copies) - 1928;
- “Love Dreams” by Mort Harris and Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) (three copies) - 1928;
- “Love’s First Kiss” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) (two copies) - 1929;
- “Merry Pranks – Intermezzo” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923
- “Pollywogs’ Frolic” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1924;
- “Promenade – Gavotte” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923;
- “Reverie of Love – Reverie” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) (two copies) - 1924;
- “Savage Carnival – A Wild Man’s Dance” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1924;
- “Tender Memories – Romance” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1924;
- “Violets” by Erno Rapeé & Axt (Richmond-Robbins, NY, NY) - 1923;
- “When Love Sings a Song in Your Heart” by Earl Carroll (lyrics) & Axt (music) (Robbins-Engel, NY, NY) - 1926;
- “Wild Orchids” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) - 1929; and
- “You’re the Only One for Me” by Raymond Klages (lyrics) & Axt and David Mendoza (melody) (Robbins Music Corp., NY, NY) - 1929
Dates: 1923-1929, undatedContainer: Box 2
C. Collaborations
- Description: Collaborations between Axt (music) & John Stevens [Maurice Berkson] (lyrics)Dates: 1943-1945, undatedContainer: Box 2
D. Music by Others
- Description: “La bohème” by Giacomo Puccini (music) and Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica (Italian libretto) (G. Ricordi & Co., Italy)
A bound volume. “My mother, Vera Derosa, was an opera and musical comedy dramatic soprano. This score was bound for her.”
Dates: 1898Container: Box 2 - Description: “Natoma – An Opera in Three Acts” by Victor Herbert (music) and Joseph D. Redding (book) (G. Schirmer, NY, NY)
A bound volume. Includes an inscription from Victor Herbert to Axt. “My father’s early career was nurtured by Victor Herbert, who, recognizing the great young talent, immediately hired him to conduct the original ‘Naughty Marietta.’ The newspapers, noting the extreme youth of the conductor (20 yrs. Of age), labeled him as the second Toscanini. Later, as conductor of the Philadelphia Opera, presided over by Oscar Hammerstein, Sr., the news media then referred to the youthful conductor as ‘Hammerstein’s Toscanini.’”
Dates: 1911Container: Box 2 - Description: “Rudy Wiedoeft’s Complete Modern Method for the Saxophone Including Photographic Saxophone Chart” (Robbins Music Cor., NY, NY)
Includes handwritten notes and, as an insert, “Mélody” by Tchaikovsky.
Dates: 1927Container: Box 2 - Description: “Rudy Wiedoeft’s Folio of Easy Saxophone Solos with Piano Accompaniment for E♭ and C Melody” (Robbins Music Cor., NY, NY)Dates: 1928Container: Box 2
II. Films with music composed, arranged, or conducted by Axt (VHS videotapes)
- Description:
- “Anna Christie” (1930)
- “The Bad Man of Brimstone” (1937)
- “Balalaika” (1939)
- “Beg, Borrow or Steal” (1937)
- “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” (1925) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ” (1925)
- “Big City” (1937)
- “The Big Parade (1925) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “Bombshell” (1933)
- “Broadway to Hollywood” (1933)
- “David Copperfield” (1935)
- “Dinner at Eight (1933) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “Dinner at Eight” (1933)
- “Don Juan” (1926)
- “Eskimo” (1933)
- “Everybody Sing” (1938)
- “Fast Company” (1938)
- “Flesh and the Devil” (1926)
- “The Flying Fleet” (1929)
- “Forsaking All Others” (1934)
- “A Free Soul” (1931)
- “Gabriel Over the White House” (1933)
- “The Girl from Missouri” (1934)
- “Grand Hotel” (1932)
- “Hide-Out” (1934)
- “Inspiration” (1931)
- “The Kid from Texas” (1939)
- “The Kiss” (1929)
- “The Last of Mrs. Cheney” (1937)
- “The Last of the Pagans” (1935)
- “Libeled Lady” (1936)
- “Listen, Darling” (1938)
- “Love” (1927)
- “Manhattan Melodrama” (1934)
- “Men in White” (1934)
- “The Merry Widow” (1925)
- “Midnight Mary” (1933)
- “The Murder Man” (1935)
- “Operator 13” (1934)
- “O’Shaughnessy’s Boy” (1935)
- “Our Dancing Daughters” (1928)
- “Our Modern Maidens” (1929)
- “Parnell” (1937)
- “Penthouse” (1933)
- “The Perfect Gentleman” (1935)
- “Petticoat Fever” (1936)
- “Piccadilly Jim” (1936)
- “Polly of the Circus” (1932)
- “Queen Christina” (1933)
- “Red Dust” (1932)
- “Redemption” (1930)
- “Rich Man, Poor Girl” (1938)
- “Romance” (1930)
- “Sadie McKee” (1934)
- “The Secret of Madame Blanche” (1933)
- “Show People” (1928)
- “The Single Standard” (1929)
- “Smilin’ Through” (1932)
- “Spring Madness” (1938)
- “Stand Up and Fight” (1939)
- “Storm at Daybreak” (1933)
- “Suzy” (1936)
- “Tell No Tales” (1939)
- “They Gave Him a Gun” (1937)
- “The Thin Man” (1934)
- “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry” (1937)
- “Three Godfathers” (1936)
- “Three Live Ghosts” (1936)
- “Three Loves Has Nancy” (1938)
- “Tough Guy” (1936)
- “The Trail of ‘98” (1928)
- “The Unguarded Hour” (1936)
- “The Wet Parade” (1932)
- “Whipsaw” (1935)
- “White Shadows in the South Seas” (1928)
- “A Wicked Woman” (1934)
- “Wild Orchids” (1929)
- “The Wind” (1928)
- “A Woman of Affairs” (1928)
- “Woman Wanted” (1935)
- “Yellow Jack” (1938)
Container: Box 3 - Description:
- “Anna Christie” (1930) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “David Copperfield (1935) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “Grand Hotel (1932) (MGM/UA Home Video)
- “The Thin Man” (1934) (MGM/UA Home Video)
Container: Box 4
III. Assorted
- Description: William Axt - ClippingsDates: 1910, 1921-1926, 1959, undatedContainer: Box 2
- Description: Edward Axt - Clippings, Correspondence, & Press ReleasesDates: 1928, undatedContainer: Box 2
- Description: Baton
Presentation baton from German Countess Gottshalk.
Dates: ca. 1904Container: Box 6 - Description: “Ben-Hur” – Program
Axt is credited, with Major Edward Bowes and David Mendoza, with “stage presentation and musical score.”
Dates: 1926Container: Box 2 - Description: “The Big Parade” (1926) – Flier from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences promoting a 1947 screening, with score by AxtDates: 1947Container: Box 2
- Description: Capitol Theatre - Promotional Materials
An ad promoting Axt as “an important cog in a fast growing organization,” a photo of the Capiitol Theatre's studio ensemble that includes Axt, and a radio program that includes "If Love Were All" by Axt.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 5 - Description: Certificate – Membership – William Axt – American Society of Composers, Authors, and PublishersDates: 1924Container: Box 2
- Description: Correspondence
Includes a holiday greeting card from Enrico Caruso.
Dates: 1916, 1927-1928Container: Box 2 - Description: “Everybody Sing” – Promotional Publication
Axt is credited with “musical direction.”
Dates: 1938Container: Box 2 - Description: FinancialDates: 1919-1928Container: Box 2
- Description: “Garbo – Musical Scores by William Axt” (vinyl LP) (Westwood Records, Los Angeles, CA)Dates: 1957Container: Box 5
- Description: Manuscript - “Noah’s Children – An Operetta” by John Stephens (book and lyrics) and Axt (music)
Includes two faxes from Duane William Axt, grandson of William Axt, regarding the history of the manuscript. One fax states that John Stephens was actually Maurice Berkson, Duane Axt’s other grandfather.
Dates: 1943Container: Box 2 - Description: Manuscript - Untitled manuscript by Axt regarding experiences touring as musical director
Attached to 1959 letter to Edward Axt.
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 2 - Description: Photographs
Includes photos of Axt, wife Vera, and son Edward, as well as inscribed photos, including photos of tenor John Francis McCormack, coloratura soprano Luisa Tetrazzini, actor and singer Jeanette MacDonald, operatic tenor Enrico Caruso. Also includes a photo of Axt with an accompanying clipping – “William Axt Makes His Opera Debut,” and a caricature drawing of Axt.
Dates: 1909-1930, undatedContainer: Box 5
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Composers -- United States -- 20th century
- Composition (Music)
- Conductors (Music) -- United States -- 20th century
- Film composers -- United States -- 20th century
- Motion picture music
