Leslie Bricusse

Cambridge-educated British writer / producer Leslie Bricusse has contributed to the screenplays of such films as Santa Claus (85), Home Alone (90) and Hook (91); still, he is better known for his extensive work as a song composer and lyricist. Bricusse has been responsible for theme songs of Goldfinger (64) and Sweet November (65), and has written the lyrics for such filmmusicals as Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (71). He won Oscars for the song "Talk to the Animals" (from Dr. Doolittle [67]) and for the lyrics to the tunes in Victor/Victoria (81). Leslie Bricusse has frequently worked in collaboration, most memorably with Anthony Newley on the Broadway successes Stop the World, I Want to Get Off (61) and The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd (65).

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide