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Edward J. Kay

Composer, also producer · Died December 22, 1973, aged 75 · New York City, New York, USA

Born
November 27, 1898
Died
December 22, 1973 (aged 75)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Composer, also producer
Titles
47 on MovieCove · 108 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

What are Edward J. Kay's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Adventure6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Mystery2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Mystery movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Bonds
26%
Self
13%
Society
11%
Survival
8%
Power
5%
Ideas
2%
Justice13 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 16 · Serious 7 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 22 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 13 · Charged 11 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 17 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 12 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 17 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Thrilling
9
Hopeful
8
Warm
7
Melancholic
7
Other
22

How their films linger

Feel-good13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Edward J. Kay's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 47 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Edward J. Kay's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

108 credits, 47 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Creation of the Humanoids(1962)

    Composer · Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Johnny Rocco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Composer

  • The Big Tip Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Composer

  • Treasure of Ruby Hills(1955)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Highway Dragnet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Composer

  • Cow Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Composer

  • Tangier Incident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Music Director

  • Feudin' Fools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Music Supervisor

  • Sea Tiger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Music Director

  • The Steel Fist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Composer

  • Crazy Over Horses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Music Director

  • Let's Go Navy!(1951)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • According to Mrs. Hoyle(1951)

    Musical

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Ghost Chasers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Music Director

  • I Was an American Spy(1951)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Man from Sonora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Music Director

  • Rhythm Inn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Composer

  • Bowery Battalion(1951)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Sierra Passage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Composer

  • Short Grass(1950)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Call of the Klondike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Father's Wild Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Blues Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Hot Rod(1950)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Cherokee Uprising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Composer

  • Big Timber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • The Admiral Was a Lady(1950)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Arizona Territory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Lucky Losers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Killer Shark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Composer

  • The Great Plane Robbery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Composer

  • Blonde Dynamite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Music Director

  • Fence Riders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Composer

  • Bomba on Panther Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Music Director

  • Master Minds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Music Director

  • Black Midnight(1949)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Music Director

  • Brand of Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Music Director

  • Stampede(1949)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Tuna Clipper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Composer

  • Bomba: The Jungle Boy(1949)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Kidnapped(1948)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Smugglers' Cove(1948)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Joe Palooka in Winner Take All(1948)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Cowboy Cavalier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Music Director

  • I Wouldn't Be in Your Shoes(1948)

    Additional Music · Music Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Campus Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Music Director

  • Crossed Trails (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Music Director

  • The Hunted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Composer

  • Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Music Director

  • Song of My Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Music Director

  • Jiggs and Maggie in Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Music Director

  • Bowery Buckaroos(1947)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Black Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Music Director

  • Sarge Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    Music Director

  • Violence(1947)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Sweetheart of Sigma Chi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Composer · Music Director

  • Gentleman Joe Palooka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Composer

  • High School Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Composer

  • Spook Busters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Music Director

  • Below the Deadline (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Music Director

  • Bowery Bombshell(1946)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Dark Alibi(1946)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Allotment Wives(1945)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Sunbonnet Sue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Composer · Songs

  • South of the Rio Grande(1945)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Divorce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Composer · Music Director

  • G.I. Honeymoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Composer

  • Brenda Starr, Reporter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    Composer

  • Adventures of Kitty O'Day(1945)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Oh, What a Night! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Music Director

  • Three of a Kind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Music Director

  • Return of the Ape Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Music Director

  • Law Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Music Director

  • Lady, Let's Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Composer · Songs

  • The Mystery of the 13th Guest(1943)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Revenge of the Zombies(1943)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Melody Parade(1943)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ghosts on the Loose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Music Director

  • Cosmo Jones in the Crime Smasher(1943)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Bowery at Midnight(1942)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Klondike Fury(1942)

    Composer · Music Director

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Law of the Jungle(1942)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Man From Headquarters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    Composer

  • Down Texas Way(1942)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Smart Alecks(1942)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Road to Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Music Director

  • Let's Go Collegiate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Composer

  • King of the Zombies(1941)

    Composer · Music Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Phantom of Chinatown(1940)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Old Swimmin' Hole (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Composer

  • The Ape(1940)

    Composer · Music Director

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Up in the Air(1940)

    Music Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Doomed to Die(1940)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Haunted House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Composer

  • Hidden Enemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Music Director

  • The Fatal Hour(1940)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Son of the Navy(1940)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Wong in Chinatown(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Mystery of Mr. Wong(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Navy Secrets(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Irish Luck(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Streets of New York(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Wolf Call(1939)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Gangster's Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Composer

  • Mr. Wong, Detective(1938)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Tough Kid(1938)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • My Yiddishe Mama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Actor

Career shape

A full career of 99 titles from 1930 to 1962.

Highest rated

Dark Alibi (1946)

Midcredits 63rd

Most popular right now

Hot Rod (1950)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 99: 1 only acting, 0 with another roleWriting1 of 99: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 99: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleMusic47 of 99: 38 only music, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score30thOther crew58 of 99: 50 only other crew, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score32nd

99 titles, 9 with more than one role — other crew and music overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1930s6 · 1 acting · 5 crew1940s61 · crew1950s31 · crew1960s1 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Edward J. Kay's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 47; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

20thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 47 titles, by percentile

  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 47 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed12
  • Mixed23

Most divisive · composer

Tough Kid (1938)

82nd percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · composer

Dark Alibi (1946)

Midcredits 63rd · 63% liked

Reviewers score the sound and music 45/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 58, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as a composer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Edward J. Kay work with?

People who share at least 2 of Edward J. Kay's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Harry Neumann shares the most, 13.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers