WEARY RIVER SONG STOLEN FROM HASTY PUDDING 1925 PLAY

That the song, "It's Up To You", featured in the talking picture "Weary River" now playing at the University Theatre was a song-hit in the Hasty Pudding Show of 1929, "Laff It Off", is the charge brought by E. F. Craig '25. Craig says that he is the author of the music to "It's Up To You", which was first written in 1924, and used under the title "The Moment I Laid Eyes on You" in the 1925 Pudding production.

The first knowledge Craig had of the theft of his piece was when he went to see "Weary River". He was stunned to hear his song played to less than eight times in addition to being sung by Richard Barthelmess.

Silvers Was Coach

Upon investigation he discovered that "It's Up To You" was published in sheet music form with the name of Louis Silvers as composer. It further appears that Silvers is the musical director for the Vitaphone productions and was coach of "Laff It Off", the 1925 Hasty Pudding show, when this song under its original name first appeared.

Craig also found that the musical structure of the two songs was identical; the melodies being the same, note for note, except to accommodate the new lyric.

Complication Ensue

Consequently he has placed the whole matter in the hands of a New York attorney who handles the legal transactions of the Actors Equity Association. Many complications in regard to the case have arisen, since the music in question has recently been copyrighted by Irving Berlin. It was supposed that the book "Laff It Off" was copyrighted in 1925. However there is no record of it in Washington.

Craig has been very active in musical productions, having written several songs which have been hits in England. He is also the author of a good part of the music and Iyrics in this year's Hasty Pudding production "Fireman Save My Child".