Harold Arlen (music), Johnny Mercer (lyrics)
“That Old Black Magic” was written in 1942, which was, coincidentally, the first full year of U.S. participation in World War II. As a minor event in that dramatic historical context, Harold Arlen’s song turned out to be the hit of Paramount Pictures’ musical extravaganza, Star Spangled Rhythm, providing an early example of Hollywood’s contribution to the war effort in the morale-boosting department, which simultaneously boosted the bank accounts of the movie people of course.
Star Spangled Rhythm included appearances by many of the big stars of Hollywood: Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Mary Martin, and Paulette Goddard. Despite the romantic aura it projects, “That Old Black Magic” is not presented in the movie as a love aria, but rather it accompanies a song and dance number that features the remarkable performer Vera Zorina, lightly clad for maximum magical effect.
Although its popularity was immediately evident, “That Old Black Magic” did not appear on “Your Hit Parade” until February 27, 1943, where it showed up in tenth place after having been recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra with Skip Nelson and the Modernaires, a popular singing group.2 Subsequently it appeared on the show fifteen times, never rising to first, but attaining second place four times. Despite the presence of the many Hollywood personalities, Star Spangled Rhythm did not compete well with the many excellent movies of 1942, such as Mrs. Miniver (Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon), Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman), and Yankee Doodle Dandy (James Cagney).
