Hugh Martin

Preferring the collaboration of the theater over that of the movies, Martin was instrumental in the creation of shows like "Look Ma, I'm Dancin'" (1948) and "High Spirits" (1964), working with such theater luminaries as Jerome Robbins, George Abbott and Gower Champion. He reteamed with Blane to write 10 new songs for the 1989 Broadway production of "Meet Me in St. Louis," earning a Tony nomination, and is still busy in his 80s, having written new songs (with Timothy Gray) for "I Will Come Back," a 1998 off-Broadway tribute to Garland, as well as the music and lyrics for "Maggie & Jiggs," a new show workshopped in San Diego that same year.Although the biggest hit from the "Meet Me in St. Louis" score was "The Trolley Song," Martin's favorite, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," has demonstrated much more staying power and is the composer's most recognizable tune. In the 80s and 90s, it graced "When Harry Met Sally . ." (1989), "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) and "Donnie Brasco" (1997), to name just a few of its movie appearances, proving it has become a modern Christmas classic, right up there with Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire"), among others.