James F. Hanley

James Frederick Hanley (February 17, 1892 – February 8, 1942) was an American songwriter and author.

Biography Hanley was born in Rensselaer, Indiana, in the United States. He attended Champion College and the Chicago Musical College.

He served with the United States Army 82nd Division in World War I and during his military service he wrote an army musical show called Toot Sweet.

On his discharge Hanley became a vaudeville accompanist. He went on to write songs for film and theater including many Broadway productions. He worked with numerous artists, most notably Buddy DeSylva, Edward Madden, Eddie Dowling, Percy Wenrich, Theodore F. Morse and Ballard MacDonald.

Hanley is best remembered for the hit songs "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" (1917), "Second Hand Rose" (1921) and "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" (1934). For the latter song, Hanley contributed to both music and lyrics, while for most of his songs he usually wrote only the music.

He died of a heart attack at his home in Douglaston, Queens, on February 8, 1942, leaving a widow and five children. "Dreams for Sale" "Gee, but I Hate to Go Home Alone" "Good-Bye, My Little Lady" – 1917. L: Joe Goodwin "Rose of Washington Square" "Second Hand Rose" – 1921, made popular by Fanny Brice and later associated with Barbra Streisand "Sleepy Valley" "Three Wonderful Letters from Home" – 1918. L: Ballard MacDonald and Joe Goodwin "War Babies" – 1916. L: Ballard MacDonald and Edward Madden "We'll Be There, on the Land, on the Sea, in the Air" – 1917. L: Ballard MacDonald "Wherever You Are" "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart" – 1934, made popular by Judy Garland; reprised throughout her career.

Selected filmography So This Is London (1930) Under Suspicion (1930)