Frederick Hollander, the son of the composer Victor Hollander, was born on the 18 October 1896 & passed away on 18 Janruary 1976. He received early musical training as a student of opera composer Engelbert Humperdinck (who composed Hänsel und Gretel). He started as repetitor at a theater in Prague, and became - in spite of his classical training, that should have led to a career as classical composer - an important composer of shows and cabaret songs in Berlin in the 20s. In 1930, he started working for the UFA when, per chance, an actress wanted him as pianist for her audition for the movie "Die Blaue Engel" (The Blue Angel). He was given the job as the composer for the film and the lead role went to Marlene Dietrich. After the Nazis came to power he immigrated via France and England to Hollywood, where he got a three month contract. There, he wrote songs and scores for various movies. During his 23 years in the Hollywood studio system, he earned four Academy Award nominations, for "Artists and Models" (1937), "Talk of the Town" (1942) "That Lady in Ermine" (1947) and "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T" (1953). He returned to Germany in 1956, where he wrote the music for one more film, "Das Spukschloss im Spessart" (1959). He retired in the 60s, but he kept writing books till the 70s.

1953's "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T" was the first & only feature film ever written by Theodore Geisel (AKA the one and only Dr. Seuss), who did the story and then co-scripted with Allan Scott. This childrens film was directed by Roy Rowland & starred Tommy Rettig, Hans Conried and Peter Lind Hayes. Under the guidance of legendary musical director Morris Stoloff, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Scoring of a Motion Picture. As it contained many musical numbers, Theodore Geisel also wrote the lyrics & collaborated with composer Frederick Hollander for all the songs used in the film (Many of which were cut from the final release). The orchestra included a Theremin played by Dr. Samuel Hoffman.

Mr Bungle covered "Elevator Song" on their 1992 tour in support of their debut album "Mr Bungle". On their setlists it was apparently listed as "Third Floor Dungeon". In the film the elevator that takes Bart and Mr. Zabladouski to the dungeon lists four floors, but the demented elevator operator only sings about three. He skips the third floor. Apparently a version with the third floor was recorded & shot, but cut from the final movie. Mr Bungle's version also doesn't include any reference to the third floor, so as to why they referred to it as "Third Floor Dungeon" is a mystery. Although the soundtrack for "The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T" wasn't even issued at all at the time of the film's 1953 release, it was issued in the early 1990's. It is now out of print & very hard to find.