Rosenthal, an orchestra leader and pianist wrote five operettas in London during the 1920s. Rosenthal began his career in the U.S. as a performer on stage in 1930, playing a wise-cracking pianist. He later toured the world with would-be-heir to the British throne, Edward, Prince of Wales. Rosenthal began his film career in 1931, a career which lasted 17 years. A few hours after playing at a party given by William Frawley, he suffered a heart attack and passed away. A favorite subject of newspaper columnists, his passing was noted by several journalists of the time.