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Leonard Spigelgass

{{short description|American dramatist}}

Leonard Spigelgass (November 26, 1908 – February 15, 1985) was an American playwright, film producer and screenwriter.{{Cite news|title=LEONARD SPIGELGASS, A WRITER FOR BROADWAY AND HOLLYWOOD|work=New York Times|date=16 Feb 1985|page=1.28}} During his career, Spigelgass wrote the scripts for 11 Academy Award-winning films. He himself was nominated in 1950 for the story for Mystery Street and garnered three Writers Guild of America nominations over the course of his career. Spigelgass was also a friend of Gore Vidal who used Spigelgass as the model for Vidal's semi fictionary "wise hack" character in the latter's series of essays about Hollywood.{{cite book|first=Fred|last=Kaplan|title=Gore Vidal|page=392-393|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2012|isbn=978-1-4088-4072-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-cauzQyhd5kC&dq=Leonard+Spigelgass+%22wise+hack%22&pg=PA392}}

Biography

=Life=

Born to a Jewish family{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I0byBwAAQBAJ&q=spigelgass|first=John|last=Cones|title=Motion Picture Biographies: The Hollywood Spin on Historical Figures|pages=58|date=April 2015|publisher=Algora |isbn=9781628941166}} in Brooklyn, New York, Spigelgass graduated from New York University in 1929. He was a literary and drama critic for The Brooklyn Eagle and the Saturday Review of Literature before moving to Hollywood.{{Cite news|title=PLAYWRIGHT, FILM WRITER LEONARD SPIGELGASS|work=Sun Sentinel|date=17 Feb 1985|page=7.B}}

=Fox=

Spigelglass got his start collaborating on the script for Erich von Stroheim's Walking Down Broadway at Fox Films. After the film was shot, studio executives ordered the film to be re-edited and re-shot; it was released under the new title Hello, Sister! (1933). Spigelglass worked as assistant to Julian Josephson, head of story at Fox.{{cite news|title=FOX HONORS FILM AUTHORS: Building as Monument to Writers Los Angeles Times|date=Dec 10, 1932|page=A2}}{{Cite news|title=STROHEIM'S LAST 'LOST' FILM|author=Koszarski, Richard|author2=Everson, William K.|work=Film Comment|location=New York|volume=11|issue=3, (May/Jun 1975)|pages=6–19}}

Spigelglass was also credited as writer on Stingaree (1934) and Escape to Paradise at RKO.{{Cite news|title=Southland's Picturesque Spanish Days Perpetuated by Stained Glass Artists|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Dec 17, 1933|page=A3}}

=Universal=

In December 1933, Spigelglass accepted a contract at Universal to work as scenario and story editor. While there, his story I'll Fix It (1934) was bought for Columbia.{{cite news|title=SCREEN NOTES.|work=New York Times|date=Feb 26, 1934|page=20}}

In June 1934, Spigelglass was promoted to producer. His first film in that capacity was Princess O'Hara (1935), based on a story by Damon Runyon, which he helped write.{{Cite news|title=Universal Signs Playwright to Direct Picture|date=June 17, 1934|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A4}}

He became story editor for Major Pictures and wrote a film of the life of Madame Curie for Universal.{{Cite news|title=BETTE DAVIS GETS NEW FEATURE ROLE: Selected by Warners for the Lead in 'We Are Not Alone'--Actors Seek 8-Hour Day MISS SULLAVAN IS SIGNED Receivess a Term Contract at Metro--Mae Busch Named for Part in 'Antoinette' Actors May Ask Eight-Hour Day Coast Scripts Of Local Origin MUSIC NOTES|work=New York Times|date=Feb 5, 1938|page=19}}

At Universal, he wrote for Letter of Introduction (1938), Service de Luxe (1938), Unexpected Father (1940), Private Affairs (1940), and The Boys from Syracuse (1940).{{Cite news|title=COMEDY SHARES PROGRAMS WITH SEAGOING MELODRAMA|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=Nov 16, 1938|work=Los Angeles Times|page=10}}

He produced the musical One Night in the Tropics (1940), the film debut of Abbott and Costello. He wrote Tight Shoes (1941) and Butch Minds the Baby (1942), based on a story by Runyon.{{Cite news|title='SPOILERS' BRAWL SPECTACULAR|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=May 27, 1942|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A8}}

=Warner Bros.=

He wrote some films at Warner Bros., including Million Dollar Baby (1941) and All Through the Night (1942).{{Cite news|title=Hepburn Contender for 'My Sister Eileen': Fonda, Scott Win Leads Ratoff Signs Jagger Cagney Subject Secured New Find in 'Obituary' Pascal Due Tomorrow|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Mar 26, 1941|page=16}} He also wrote The Man They Couldn't Kill for Edward G. Robinson, but it was not made.{{Cite news|title=Bruited 'Gesture' Test Evinces Swanson Spell: Murphy Adds to Luster Shirley, Craig Paired 20th Casts 'Discovery' Robinson Film Listed Robert Newton Assigned|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=June 5, 1941|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A10}}

At RKO, Spigelglass wrote The Big Street (1942), based on a Runyon story, and They Got Me Covered (1942) for Bob Hope. He did The Youngest Profession (1943) at MGM. He also sold an original script to Fox titled No Place Like Home, but it appears to have not been made.{{Cite news|title=Paramount to Make Sequel to 'Our Hearts Were Young and Gay'|work=New York Times|date=Mar 20, 1944|page=14}}

=World War II=

Spigelgass served as a lieutenant colonel in World War II and, with Frank Capra, planned and produced Army and Navy Screen Magazine, a bi-weekly, filmed news update for American troops abroad.{{Cite news|author=S. B. |date=Feb 6, 1949|title=Plan for hollywood -- by schary|work=New York Times|id={{ProQuest|105779005}}}}

=Paramount=

He wrote For Her to See for Hal Wallis, which became So Evil My Love (1948).{{Cite news|title=MILLAND TO STAR IN PICTURE ABROAD: Actor Named for Lead in 'For Her to See,' First English Film|author=Hal Wallis|work=New York Times|date=Nov 2, 1946|page=23}} Also for Wallis, he wrote The Perfect Marriage (1947) and The Accused (1949), and he did I Was a Male War Bride (1949) for Fox.{{Cite news|title=Paul Douglas Likely 'Four Wives' Opus Star|author=Schallert, Edwin|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Apr 22, 1948|page=23}}

In 1948, he was part of the Writers Guild fight against the blacklist.{{Cite news|title=Thirty Writers File Suit Against Movie Producers|author=The|date=June 2, 1948|work=Christian Science Monitor|page=19}} He sold Murder at Harvard to MGM, but it was not made.{{Cite news|title=U-I SETTLES ITS ROW WITH MISS DURBIN: $87,083 Suit Against Actress Ended, Out of Court -- Star's Contract Also Revised|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|date=Nov 15, 1948|work=New York Times|page=21}}

=MGM=

Spigelglass signed a long-term contract at MGM where he wrote Mystery Street (1950), which earned him an Oscar nomination. He followed it with Night into Morning (1951), The Law and the Lady (1951), Because You're Mine (1952), Scandal at Scourie (1953), Athena (1954), and Deep in My Heart (1954). He produced a documentary series titled MGM Parade, and wrote the musicals Ten Thousand Bedrooms (1957) and Silk Stockings (1957).{{Cite news|title=REVAMPING BEGUN ON 'M-G-M PARADE': New Format Being Sought for A.B.C.-TV Program-- Stars' Biographies Set|author=OSCAR GODBOUT Special to The|date=Jan 14, 1956|work=New York Times|page=37}} He wrote International Review, meant to be an all-star musical, but it was not made.{{Cite news|title=WYLER TO. DO FILM ON CIVIL WAR ERA: 'Friendly Persuasion' Opens New Allied Artists Pact -- Cooper May Take Lead|author=THOMAS M. PRYOR|date=Oct 26, 1954|work=The New York Times|page=32}} He left MGM when his boss Dore Schary was fired.{{Cite news|title='Hack into Author' Saga of Spigelgass: 'Majority of One' Creator Tells of Career in Reverse|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=Sep 24, 1962|work=Los Angeles Times|page=C13}}

"When I left Hollywood in 1957, I was in the glue factory", he later said. "That I had written movies for many years meant nothing."{{Cite news|title='PRE-SOLD' WRITER NEW SCREEN ELITE: Leonard Spigelgass Weighs Status Symbol in Hollywood|author=MURRAY SCHUMACH|date=Aug 23, 1962|work=New York Times|page=25}}

=Broadway=

Spigelglass moved to New York where he wrote for TV shows such as Playhouse 90 and Climax!, including a story of the life of Helen Morgan.{{Cite news|title=N.B.C. IS CUTTING CREATIVE STAFF: At Least 5 Writer-Producers Reported Leaving--Trend to 'Outside' Ventures Seen New York Times|date=Apr 26, 1957|page=51}}

He wrote the play A Majority of One (1959), directed by Dore Schary. Starring Gertrude Berg, it was a hit and ran for 556 performances.{{Cite news|title=MOLLY' IN JAPAN: Gertrude Berg in New Role of Hausfrau MOLLY GOLDBERG' PAYS A VISIT TO JAPAN|author=NAN ROBERTSON|date=Feb 15, 1959|work=New York Times|page=X1}}

This reignited Hollywood's interest in Spigelglass. He returned to Hollywood and found himself treated with far more respect as the writer of a hit play than he had during his entire time there before.

"At the age of 50, I am an author and not a hack", he said.

He wrote the film adaptation of Majority of One and the big screen version of Gypsy (1962) both directed by Mervyn Le Roy. The film rights for Majority went for $500,000.{{cite news|title=WARNERS SET TO BUY 'A MAJORITY OF ONE'|work=New York Times|date=Jan 18, 1960|page=30}}{{Cite news|title=Preston May Star With Piper Laurie: MacMurray in 'Professor' Sequel; Spigelgass Scripts 'Gypsy' Film|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=Oct 7, 1961|work=Los Angeles Times|page=B6}}

He returned to Broadway and wrote a series of plays, but none had the success of his first. A musical adaptation of Cafe Crown was not produced.{{Cite news|title=NEWS AND GOSSIP OF THE RIALTO: Old Comedy Will Have A Second Life On Broadway|author=LEWIS FUNKE|work=New York Times|date=Jan 10, 1960|page=X1}} The Free Thinkers was announced for 1961 but not made.{{Cite news|title=Spigelglass Has Old Team for New Drama|work=The Washington Post and Times-Herald|date=Nov 6, 1960|page=G4}} Dear Me, The Sky Is Falling (1963) (originally titled Libby) had a short run despite starring Gertrude Berg. Remedy for Winter (1965) (known as Upper Case), Scuttle Under the Bonnet (1965) and The Playgirls (1966) did not make it to Broadway.{{Cite news|title='Wayward Stork' Will Detour to Broadway|author=Little, Stuart W.|date=June 17, 1965|work=Los Angeles Times|page=c15}} The Wrong Way Light Bulb (1969) only had a short run. He wrote the book The Scuttle Under the Bonnet (1962).{{Cite news|title=SPIGELGASS PLANS TO PRODUCE PLAY: Author of 'A Majority of One' Will Put on 'Freethinkers'|author=SAM ZOLOTOW|date=Nov 2, 1961|work=New York Times|page=44}}

He also wrote the book to the musical We've Done a Whole New Thing{{Cite news|title=SYLVIA FINE PLANS BROADWAY SHOW: She is Writing Songs for a Leonard Spigelgass Book|author=LOUIS CALTA|date=Apr 26, 1967|work=New York Times|page=42}} but it was not produced.

Look to the Lilies (1970) based on Lilies of the Field, but it only had a short run despite starring Shirley Booth.{{Cite news|title=Broadway ladies' day: Workable frame|author=Alan Bunce. The|date=Apr 3, 1970|work=Christian Science Monitor|page=4}} So too did Mack & Mabel (1974) based on an idea of Spigelglass.{{Cite news|title=Mack & Mabel' and Silent Film Era|author=CLIVE BARNES|work=New York Times|date=Oct 7, 1974|page=54}}

=Later career=

In 1971, Spiegelgass joined the USC Cinema Department as an adjunct professor.{{Cite news|title=Spigelgass on USC Cinema Faculty|date=Nov 12, 1971|work=Los Angeles Times|page=f15}}

In the 1970s, Spigelgass wrote an ABC Afterschool Special and several Academy Award ceremonies.{{Cite news|title=Spigelgass, Ludwig Named Writers for Oscar Show|author=PLEIBEL, FRED.|date=Feb 24, 1976|work=Los Angeles Times|page=e10}}{{cite news|title=Writer, Art Director Set|work=Los Angeles Times|date=Jan 28, 1972|page=g9}}

He wrote the play Interview (1978), which had some productions.{{Cite news|title=STAGE NEWS: MIME WHO CAME IN FROM CENTER FIELD MORE STAGE NEWS MORE STAGE NEWS|author=Christion, Lawrence|date=Oct 15, 1978|work=Los Angeles Times|page=m61}}

Family

Spigelgass' sister, Beulah Roth, was a political speechwriter for Franklin Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson, and was married to photographer Sanford H. Roth, a close friend of James Dean. Spigelgass died in Los Angeles, California.

Selected filmography

{{unreferenced section|date=January 2019}}

Theatre credits

{{unreferenced section|date=January 2019}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Portal|Biography}}

  • {{IBDB name}}
  • {{IMDb name|0818700}}
  • {{Find a Grave|7937464}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Valentine Davies Award}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spigelgass, Leonard}}

Category:American male screenwriters

Category:Film producers from New York (state)

Category:American television writers

Category:20th-century American Jews

Category:Writers from Brooklyn

Category:1908 births

Category:1985 deaths

Category:20th-century American dramatists and playwrights

Category:American male television writers

Category:American male dramatists and playwrights

Category:20th-century American male writers

Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)

Category:20th-century American screenwriters