is a British song written by James Cavanaugh, Larry Stock and Vincent Rose.
It was first published in 1924[citation needed] and first performed live by the comedy double act Flanagan and Allen in 1939[1] in the musical revue These Foolish Things.
It is used in Dennis Potter's The Singing Detective (1986) and the TV adaptation of John le Carré's A Perfect Spy (1987).
Popular recordings in the United States in 1939 were made by Kay Kyser & His Orchestra (vocals by Ginny Simms & Harry Babbitt) and by the Johnny Messner Music Box Band (vocal by The Three Jacks).
[3] Billboard magazine, issue dated January 28, 1939: Sheet-Music Leaders chart for week ending January 21, 1939: Umbrella Man charted at number 1.