TCM to air Johnny Mercer special

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Turner Classic Movies has announced plans to mark the 100th anniversary of Johnny Mercer's birth by airing a documentary about the late U.S. singer-songwriter.

"Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me," a 100-minute special, was executive-produced by Clint Eastwood, and produced and directed by Bruce Ricker.

It is expected to air on TCM Nov. 4, the network said.

Mercer composed or collaborated on such hit songs as the American standards "Hooray for Hollywood," "Jeepers Creepers," "That Old Black Magic," "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," "Skylark," "Blues in the Night," "Moon River" and "The Days of Wine and Roses."

TCM said it will complement the premiere of the documentary with presentations every Wednesday night in November of several classic films on which he worked. Titles include "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Blues in the Night," "Hollywood Hotel," "The Harvey Girls," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "The Days of Wine and Roses," "The Americanization of Emily," "Li'l Abner" and "The Belle of New York."

TCM said it will devote the entire day's programming to his work on the anniversary of his birth, Nov. 18.

Mercer -- who received 19 Academy Award nominations and won four Oscars -- died in 1976 in Los Angeles after suffering complications from surgery to remove a brain tumor.