Betty Comden
With wit and a perfect rhyme, she helped define the sound of Broadway and Hollywood's golden age of musicals.
1917–2006 (age 89)·American dramatist and lyricist·Birthday: May 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Betty Comden arrived in New York City with dreams of acting, but found her true calling in the writing room. Teaming up with Adolph Green, a partnership that began in a Greenwich Village nightclub act, they forged a six-decade alliance that became the backbone of American musical theater. Their words gave voice to the exuberant optimism of post-war America, crafting lyrics that were clever, character-driven, and instantly hummable. While their names are forever linked to the backstage magic of 'Singin' in the Rain' and the urban romance of 'On the Town,' their work with composers like Jule Styne and Leonard Bernstein created standards that transcended the stage. Comden's legacy is one of sophisticated joy, proving that intelligence and heart could coexist in a popular song.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Betty was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Betty Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Betty's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 80
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Died at 89
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
Key Achievements
- Co-wrote the book and lyrics for the landmark Broadway musical 'On the Town' with Leonard Bernstein.
- With Adolph Green, penned the screenplay and lyrics for the classic Hollywood film 'Singin' in the Rain'.
- Won multiple Tony Awards, including for the musical 'The Will Rogers Follies' late in her career.
- Received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1991 for her lifetime contribution to American culture.
Did You Know?
Her partnership with Adolph Green is considered the longest-running creative partnership in Broadway history.
She made a cameo appearance as a diner customer in the film 'Singin' in the Rain'.
Initially performed with Green in a satirical revue group called 'The Revuers,' which also included a young Judy Holliday.
She and Green were inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1981.
“The nice thing about being a woman in the theater is that you can write your own ticket if you have talent.”
