The Continental (song) The Continental (song) "The Continental" is a song written by Con Conrad with lyrics by Herb Magidson, and was introduced by Ginger Rogers in the 1934 film, "The Gay Divorcee". "The Continental" was the first song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Major record hits at the time of introduction included Jolly Coburn and Leo Reisman. In 1952 Harry James released a recording on the album "Hollywood's Best" (Columbia B-319 and CL-6224) with Rosemary Clooney on vocals. A later version by Maureen McGovern reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1976. Steve Howe recorded it
Ray Lissner on were: the original Beau Geste in 1926 (again with Brenon); Flying Down to Rio, the first film teaming Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire; and The Gay Divorcee, again with Astaire and Rogers. Lissner would die in 1944 at the age of 41. Ray Lissner Ray Lissner (January 10, 1903 – April 28, 1944) was an American filmmaker who worked during the end of the silent era into the beginning of sound films. He spent his entire career as an assistant director, working with such directors such as Herbert Brenon, Charles Vidor, George Archainbaud, and Otto Brower. Born in New