Norman Spencer

Norman Spencer Matthews (March 3, 1891– February 15, 1940), was an American musician and songwriter. He is best known for having served as musical director/composer for Warner Brothers' /Leon Schlesinger's Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon shorts from 1933 to 1936.

Career

Spencer was born in Minneapolis. By 1911 he was living in California and working as a pianist. Beginning in 1919 he was credited as a songwriter for many songs as well as writing scores for musical stage shows.

Spencer served as composer and director of music for Leon Schlesinger Productions from 1933 to 1936, along with fellow composer Bernard Brown, creating film scores for animated short films in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series produced by Leon Schlesinger. His son Norman, Jr. reportedly handled the musical arrangements for both series.

Filmography

Clifford McCarty lists the following credits for Norman Spencer: Buddy's Day Out (1933) I've Got to Sing a Torch Song (1933) Beauty and the Beast (1934) Buddy and Towser (1934) Buddy of the Apes (1934) Buddy the Detective (1934) Buddy the Gob (1934) Buddy the Woodsman (1934) Buddy's Bearcats (1934) Buddy's Beer Garden (1934) Buddy's Circus (1934) Buddy's Garage (1934) Buddy's Show Boat (1934) Buddy's Trolley Troubles (1934) The Girl at the Ironing Board (1934) Goin' to Heaven on a Mule (1934) Honeymoon Hotel (1934) The Miller's Daughter (1934) Pettin' in the Park (1934) Shake Your Powder Puff (1934) Sittin' on a Backyard Fence (1933) Those Were Wonderful Days (1934) Viva Buddy (1934) Why Do I Dream Those Dreams (1934) Along Flirtation Walk (1935) Buddy in Africa (1935) Buddy of the Legion (1935) Buddy Steps Out (1935) Buddy the Dentist (1934) Buddy the Gee Man (1935) Buddy's Adventures (1934) Buddy's Bug Hunt (1935) Buddy's Pony Express (1935) Buddy's Theatre (1935) The Country Boy (1935) The Country Mouse (1935) I Haven't Got a Hat (1935) Into Your Dance (1935) The Merry Old Soul (1935) Mr. and Mrs. Is the Name (1935) My Green Fedora (1935) Pop Goes Your Heart (1934) Rhythm in the Bow (1934) Those Beautiful Dames (1934) Alpine Antics (1936) At Your Service Madame (1936) Billboard Frolics (1935) Bingo Crosbyana (1936) The Blow Out (1936) Boom Boom (1936) Buddy's Lost World (1935) A Cartoonist's Nightmare (1936) The Cat Came Back (1936) The Fire Alarm (1936) Fish Tales (1936) Flowers for Madame (1935) Gold Diggers of '49 (1935) Hollywood Capers (1935) I Love to Singa (1936) I Wanna Play House (1936) I'd Love to Take Orders From You (1936) I'm a Big Shot Now (1936) The Lady in Red (1936) Let It Be Me (1936) The Little Dutch Plate (1935) Page Miss Glory (1936) The Phantom Ship (1936) Plane Dippy (1936) Porky the Rain-Maker (1936) Porky's Pet (1936) Shanghaied Shipmates (1936) Sunday Go to Meetin' Time (1936) Westward Whoa (1936) When I Yoo Hoo (1936)