pt 1. Life. -- Gershwin and his family -- Gershwin's musical education to the Rhapsody in blue (1924) -- Gershwin and the new popular music -- The popular pianist -- Toward a career in the theater -- Gershwin among his friends -- Later studies -- Gershwin and the great tradition -- Gershwin and popular music and jazz after 1920 -- Working methods -- Gershwin the man -- pt. 2. Work. -- From "Ragging the Traumerei" (ca. 1913) to The Capitol revue (1919) -- From Morris Gest's Midnight whirl (1919) to The perfect fool (1921) -- From The French doll to Our Nell (1922) -- From The sunshine trail to Sweet little devil (1923) -- The Rhapsody in blue (1924) -- The Scandals of 1924, Primrose, and Lady, be good! (1924) -- Short story, Tell me more, and the Concerto in F (1925) -- Tip-toes and Song of the flame (1925) -- Oh, Kay! and other works (1926) -- Strike up the band and Funny face (1927) -- Rosalie and Treasure girl (1928) -- An American in Paris (1928) and East is West (1929) -- Show girl and The dybbuk (1929) -- Girl crazy (1930).

Delicious and the Second rhapsody (1931) -- Of thee I sing (1931) -- George Gershwin's song-book (1932) -- The Cuban overture (1932) and Pardon my English (1933) -- Let 'em eat cake (1933) and Variations on "I got rhythm" (1934) -- Porgy and Bess (1935) -- The first production of Porgy and Bess -- Porgy and Bess in revival -- Porgy and Bess on disc, film, and the concert stage -- From Swing is king (1936) to A damsel in distress (1937) -- From The Goldwyn follies (1938) to Kiss me, stupid (1964) -- Conclusion.