Allan Jones

by Jason MacNeilBorn in Scranton, PA, Allan Jones studied singing during his twenties in Paris. After returning from Paris to the United States, Jones began working in various operettas. In 1933, Jones first appeared on the Broadway stage playing a role in Roberta. This was followed by being cast in another musical, Bitter Sweet, in 1934. From there, Jones moved to the big screen, earning a small part in the film Reckless in 1935. That same year, he performed a brief, yet memorable song "Alone" in A Night at the Opera, the famous Marx Brothers comedy. Leading roles followed, including performances in Show Boat in 1936 and A Day at the Races in 1937. In 1938, Jones and wife Irene Hervey became parents to Jack Jones. Allan Jones became best-known during this time for his signature tune "The Donkey Serenade," which he performed in the film The Firefly. In 1945, after starring in Honeymoon Ahead, Jones became involved in an argument with MGM boss Louis B. Mayer. The fight resulted in Jones leaving Hollywood and joining the nightclub circuit. While on the nightclub circuit, he would often perform with his son. In the '50s, Jones toured the United States in the musical Guys & Dolls. In the '70s, he also worked and toured with Man of La Mancha. After touring Australia in 1992, he returned to New York. On June 27, he died after a battle with lung cancer. In 2001, a collection of Allan Jones' songs was released on The Donkey Serenade on ASV/Living Era Records.