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OBIT: Playwright, Screenwriter, Lyricist Edward Eliscu Dies At 96

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Edward Eliscu, 96, died June 18 at his home in Newtown.

Mr Eliscu was a playwright, screenwriter and lyricist who wrote the words to

"Orchids in the Moonlight," "Great Day," and "Without a Song," among many

other popular tunes.

He collaborated with other well-known composers, including Gus Kahn, Vincent

Youmans, Vernon Duke and Billy Rose on a number of celebrated songs such as

"Carioca," "More Than You Know" and "Flying Down to Rio."

Mr Eliscu began his career as an actor on Broadway with Helen Hayes in

Wuartette . He then wrote the lyrics and sketches for several revues,

including The Little Show with Beatrice Lillie; Sweet and Low with Fannie

Brice and James Barton; Tattle Tales with Betty Grable; and Meet the People

with Nanette Fabray and Jack Gilford.

Mr Eliscu's 16 screenplays include The Three Husbands and Out of the Blue .

He worked on the first Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film, Flying Down to Rio ,

and wrote the adaptation for their later movie, The Gay Divorcee .

In the 1950s, Mr Eliscu was blacklisted because of his outspoken political

views, but he continued writing for television and theater.

In 1962, he wrote the musical The Banker's Daughter , with Sol Kaplan, and in

1976, he wrote and narrated Rewind and Play , one of a series of revues based

on his theatrical experiences. His latest revue, With or Without a Song , was

also the title of his autobiography, which he was working on at the time of

his death. He was also in the process of distributing the work of his wife,

the painter Stella Bloch, to museums and universities.

Mr Eliscu was president of the American Guild of Authors and Composers from

1968 to 1973 and later inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Born in Manhattan, he studied at the City College of New York.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons and six grandchildren.

The Newtown Bee June 26, 1998