Dunaevsky is undoubtedly an outstanding composer.

But sometimes he allowed himself to “borrow” (colloquially “plagiarism”).

In particular, the march from “Merry Fellows” is a twisted Mexican folk song, and the perky song “Come on, sing us a song, the merry wind” is actually a march of the Italian Blackshirts (you can listen to it at the bottom of the post).

But “God is not a piece of cake,” he punished Dunaevsky in the end.

The music he wrote became the calling card of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and he appropriated the authorship to himself.

Here's how it happened.

In the wake of the success of “Jolly Fellows,” Dunaevsky created several excellent jazz compositions, hoping to use them in some film.

But... Difficult times have come for jazz and the score “went on the shelf.”

At this time, one of Dunaevsky’s friends, composer Joseph Schillinger, emigrated to the United States. He knew Glenn Miller well; he even took lessons from Schillinger.

It was Schillinger who suggested the scam.

Give the material to Miller, “so that it doesn’t go to waste,” he will use it for a new musical comedy,

And half of the fee goes to Dunaevsky.

No sooner said than done. Sold.

This was in 1938. In the same year, having slightly reworked the original, Miller recorded the composition Moonlight Serenade, which later became the “title theme” of the 1941 film “Serenade”
"Sunny Valley"

For those who don’t remember, here’s a video to refresh yourself.

Dunaevsky soon needed the transferred material for the 1940 film “My Love.”

Since his composition had already been performed by Miller (but it had not yet received world fame, the film was still in the project), and he never received money for it, Dunaevsky decided to use his work.

In the end it turned out this (song from the movie "My Love")

When “Serenade...” was released worldwide a year later, a scandal erupted.

At one of the feasts, Solovyov-Sedoy accused Dunaevsky of plagiarism.

He tore his vest on his chest and declared, “Glenn Miller is me.”)) Well, he foolishly told the “history” of music.

The world is not without good people)).

Beria knocked.

It was an unpleasant conversation.

They weren’t sent to the camp’s amateur performances for having contact with the Americans, but they were excommunicated from cinema.

For 7 years, before the film "Spring".

Something like this.

To everyone who was not too lazy to read this fake - Happy April Fools' Day

The promised "March of the Blackshirts".

"April Fools' Day, April Fools' Day is a world holiday celebrated on April 1 in many states and countries. During this holiday, it is customary to play pranks on friends and acquaintances or simply make fun of them."