Franz Grothe

Franz Grothe (17 September 1908 – 12 September 1982) was a German composer, arranger, songwriter, conductor, and pianist active from the mid 1920s until his death in 1982 at the age of 73. He was a prolific composer for German cinema, and was a writer of popular songs. He was particularly known for his output of successful musical films. While principally a composer for the screen, he also wrote some musicals and operettas for the stage. but flouted the party’s ban on jazz music by continuing to compose in a swing style. However, Grothe officially joined the Nazi party and was appointed Werner Egk’s deputy while Egk was the leader of the Composer division ("") in the State-Approved Society for the Exploitation of Musical Performing Rights (German: ; STAGMA) which was then under the control of the Nazi Reichsmusikkammer (Reich Music Chamber). With Georg Haentzschel, Grothe co-founded the German Dance and Entertainment Orchestra in 1941. He had a major success with the satirical musical film The Spessart Inn (1958). He also composed music for German television in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the recipient of the (1966), the (1975), and the Max Reger Prize (1978). He served as chairman