"At the Moving Picture Ball" is a popular song composed by Joseph H. Santly (né Joseph Harry Santly; 1886–1962) and recorded by many artists during the silent film era. Today the song is best remembered for its unusually topical lyrics, which mention many celebrities of the time. In fact, by 1920, the lyrics of the song had already been changed, since several celebrities mentioned had lost popularity. Judy Garland and Donald O'Connor performed the song on the 1963 TV series, The Judy Garland Show, during a "tribute to vaudeville" medley.
Selected discography Atlantic Records Bobby Short (1956) Atlantic 1230
(audio sample via YouTube)
Argo Records, London Hip Hooray for Neville Chamberlain (1974) Ian Whitcomb Argo ZDA162
Copyright "At the Moving Picture Ball" Howard Johnson (words) Joseph Santly (music) Leo Feist, Inc., New York © 8 January 1920; E470306
Sheet music, courtesy of Johns Hopkins University Libraries Note: The sheet music cover art (unsigned) – in red, white, and black – shows movie stars in burlesque attire at a masquerade party
References
External links Public domain version of the song at the internet archive