Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella

"Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella" is a popular song, first published in 1927. The music was written by Sammy Fain, and the lyrics by Irving Kahal and Francis Wheeler. It was the first collaboration between the Fain / Kahal team.

Successful early recordings were made by Roger Wolfe Kahn (vocal by Franklyn Baur) and by Sam Lanin (vocal by Irving Kaufman), and these both charted in 1928.

Other notable recordings

The song has been recorded by multiple singers and bands since its release, with a flurry of recordings in the 1950s:

• 1928 Lee Morse and Her Bluegrass Boys - recorded for Columbia Records on January 23, 1928.
• 1949 The Andrews Sisters
• 1950 Jimmy Dorsey and His Original "Dorseyland" Jazz Band – included in the album Dorseyland Dance Parade, vocal by Claire "Shanty" Hogan.
• 1957 Bing Crosby included the song in his album Bing with a Beat.
• 1959 Perry Como - recorded for his album Como Swings.
• 1965 Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra – included in their album Love Letters.

Film appearances

• 1929 It's a Great Life - performed by unseen male singer in the theater.
• 1932 The song is used in the Van Beuren cartoon The Wild Goose Chase.
• 1948 Give My Regards to Broadway

References