Janice Torre

Janice Torre
Born
Janice Renée Torre

(1914-08-17)August 17, 1914
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 1985(1985-02-21) (aged 70)
New York City, U.S.
EducationTulane University (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
Musical career
Genrespopular songs, motion picture and television musicals
Occupation(s)Songwriter, lyricist
Years active1948–1962

Janice Renée Torre (August 17, 1914 – February 21, 1985) was a songwriter and lyricist best known for the song "Paper Roses", which she wrote with composer Fred Spielman.

Early years

Janice Torre was born in New Orleans, the daughter of Peter Torre, an Italian immigrant developer in the oil industry, and Juanita Mottram.[1] Janice graduated from Academy of the Sacred Heart (New Orleans), H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College of Tulane University, where she was president of her Senior Class, and Yale School of Drama. At Newcomb she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi.[2][3][4]

Musical career

Janice Torre collaborated with the composer Fred Spielman.[5][6] Torre wrote song lyrics for the films All Shook Up with Elvis Presley, Tom Thumb, Luxury Liner with Lauritz Melchior, In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland, Big City, and Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) with Elvis Presley.[7] Torre and Spielman wrote the television musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, titled The Stingiest Man In Town (1956).

Personal and later years

Janice Torre was married to Gregory Manning Perky, a science teacher at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans.[8][9] She composed her last film score in 1962. She died in New York City.

References

  1. ^ 1930 US Census
  2. ^ Janice Torre Perky. Times Picayune Tuesday March 5, 1985 pA20
  3. ^ To Dragma - Volume 32, Issue 1 - Page 39. Alpha Omicron Pi - 1936
  4. ^ International Motion Picture Almanac - Page 320 - 1951
  5. ^ "Fred Spielman, Songwriter, 90". The New York Times. 31 March 1997. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Obituary: Fred Spielman". Independent.co.uk. 1 April 1997. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Janice Torre". IMDb. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  8. ^ Class project brings honors. Newman High School instructor wins award. Thursday, March 6, 1958. Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) Page 28
  9. ^ "Gregory M. Perky - StAugustine.com". Retrieved 7 August 2016.