screenwriter
A screenplay writer (also called screenwriter, scriptwriter, scribe or scenarist) is a writer who practices the craft of screenwriting, writing screenplays on which mass media, such as films, television programs and video games, are based.
...
. He worked for a variety of studios on
Poverty Row
Poverty Row is a slang term used to refer to Hollywood films produced from the 1920s to the 1950s by small (and mostly short-lived) B movie studios. Although many of them were based on (or near) today's Gower Street in Hollywood, the term did n ...
during the 1930s, mainly on
westerns
The Western is a genre set in the American frontier and commonly associated with folk tales of the Western United States, particularly the Southwestern United States, as well as Northern Mexico and Western Canada. It is commonly referred ...
.Pitts p.190
Filmography
* ''
Public Stenographer
''Public Stenographer'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code romantic comedy. Stenographer Ann McNair (Lane) en route to a job mistakenly gets in the wrong car and ends up at a wild party thrown by Jim Martin (Collier). While in pursuit of McNair, Martin i ...
'' (1933)
* ''
The Moth
The Moth is a non-profit group based in New York City dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Founded in 1997, the organization presents a wide range of theme-based storytelling events across the United States and abroad, often featuring ...
Trails of the Wild
''Trails of the Wild'' is a 1935 American adventure film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Billie Seward, Monte Blue, Matthew Betz, Fuzzy Knight and Wheeler Oakman. The film was released o ...
'' (1935)
* ''
Timber War
''Timber War'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Sam Newfield from a screenplay by Jos. O'Donnell and Barry Barringer. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Lucille Lund, and Lawrence Gray.
Cast
* Kermit Maynard as Jim Dolan
* Lucille Lund as ...
Manhattan Butterfly
''Manhattan Butterfly'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Dorothy Granger, William Bakewell and Kenneth Thomson (actor), Kenneth Thomson.Pitts p.187
Cast
* Dorothy Granger as Nina Malone
* William Bakewell a ...
'' (1935)
* ''
Murder by Television
''Murder by Television'' (1935) is an American mystery film starring Bela Lugosi, June Collyer, and Huntley Gordon. The film is also known as ''The Houghland Murder Case''. The cast also includes Hattie McDaniel.
Plot
James Houghland, inventor o ...
'' (1935)
* ''
His Fighting Blood
''His Fighting Blood'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by John English and starring Kermit Maynard, Polly Ann Young and Paul Fix.Goble p.102 It was produced on Poverty Row as a second feature. The film's sets were designed by the art ...
Wild Horse Round-Up
''Wild Horse Round-Up'' is a 1936 American western film directed by Alan James from a screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell, based on a short story by James Oliver Curwood. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Betty Lloyd, and Dickie Jones.
Cast
*Kermit Ma ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Ghost Patrol
''Ghost Patrol'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot
A scientific genius has invented a machine capable of causing planes to crash. He uses it on planes loaded with valuables. Various characters become involved in co ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Wildcat Trooper
''Wildcat Trooper'' is a 1936 American adventure film directed by Elmer Clifton and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Hobart Bosworth, Fuzzy Knight, Lois Wilde, Jim Thorpe, Yakima Canutt, Eddie Phillips, John Merton, Fr ...
Border Caballero
''Border Caballero'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot
Undercover lawman Tim Ross is working his way across the country as a sharpshooter in a medicine show. He runs into a former colleague working undercover to ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Phantom Patrol
''Phantom Patrol'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Charles Hutchison.
Plot
Cast
*Kermit Maynard as RCMP Sergeant Jim McGregor
*Joan Barclay as Doris McCloud
*Harry J. Worth as "Dapper" Dan Geary & Stephen Morris
* Paul Fix as H ...
Vengeance of Rannah
''Vengeance of Rannah'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Bernard B. Ray, produced by Ray and Harry S. Webb for Reliable Pictures, and starring Bob Custer and Rin Tin Tin, Jr.
Plot
Insurance investigator Ted Sanders is assigned to ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Roarin' Guns
''Roarin' Guns'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot summary
During a range war, the Cattleman's Association send Tim Corwin where he helps out his old friends Bob and Buddy Morgan as well as May Carter.
Cast
*T ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Lightnin' Bill Carson
''Lightnin' Bill Carson'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot summary
A lawman captures the notorious "Pecos Kid", who is tried and hanged for his crimes – then starts to have doubts as to whether the Kid actually ...
'' (1936)
* ''
The Fighting Texan
''The Fighting Texan'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Charles Abbott and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Elaine Shepard, Frank LaRue, Budd Buster, Ed Cassidy, Murdock MacQuarrie, Art Miles and Bruce Mitc ...
Young Dynamite
''Young Dynamite'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Leslie Goodwins from a screenplay by Joseph O'Donnell and Stanley Roberts, adaptation by Arthur G. Durlam. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Charlotte Henry.
Cast lis ...
'' (1937)
* ''
Whistling Bullets
''Whistling Bullets'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by John English and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Harley Wood, Maston Williams, Karl Hackett, Jack Ingram, Bruce Mitchell and James Sheridan. The f ...
'' (1937)
* ''
Anything for a Thrill
''Anything for a Thrill'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Joseph O'Donnell and Stanley Lowenstein. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, June Johnson, Ann Evers, Johnstone White and Horace Murphy. ...
'' (1937)
* ''
North of the Rio Grande
''North of the Rio Grande'' is a lost 1922 American silent Western film directed by Rollin S. Sturgeon and starring Bebe Daniels and Jack Holt.Thanks for Listening'' (1937)
* ''
Land of Fighting Men
''Land of Fighting Men'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Alan James and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Jack Randall, Bruce Bennett, Louise Stanley, Dick Jones, Walt Shrum and Bob Burns. The film was released on Marc ...
Reform School
A reform school was a penal institution, generally for teenagers mainly operating between 1830 and 1900.
In the United Kingdom and its colonies reformatories commonly called reform schools were set up from 1854 onwards for youngsters who were ...
Port of Hate
''Port of Hate'' is a 1939 American adventure film directed by Harry S. Webb and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Polly Ann Young, Kenneth Harlan, Carleton Young, Shia Jung, Monte Blue and Frank LaRue. The film was released on August 2 ...
'' (1939)
* ''
The Invisible Killer
''The Invisible Killer'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Grace Bradley, Roland Drew and William Newell.Gates p.96 It was one of the earliest films made by Producers Releasing Corporation, a low-budget outfit ...
'' (1939)
* ''
Flaming Lead
''Flaming Lead'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Ken Maynard, Eleanor Stewart, Dave O'Brien, Walter Long, Tom London and Reed Howes. The film was released on November 1, ...
While Thousands Cheer
''While Thousands Cheer'' is a lost American film released in 1940. Leo C. Popkin directed. It was the only football-themed film with an African American lead character for decades. It starred Kenny Washington, a football star from UCLA who wen ...
'' (1940)
* ''
Riders of Black Mountain
''Riders of Black Mountain'' is a 1940 Western film directed by Sam Newfield, under his pseudonym of Peter Stewart. It stars Tim McCoy, Pauline Haddon, and Rex Lease.
Plot
A US Marshal is dispatched to solve a string of hold-ups. Disguising hi ...
'' (1940)
* ''
Gun Code
''Gun Code'' is a 1940 American western film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Tim McCoy, Inna Gest and Carleton Young.Pitts p.134 It was distributed by the independent company PRC which specialized in handling low-budget second features. T ...
Billy the Kid in Texas
''Billy the Kid in Texas'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. It's the second in the "Billy the Kid" film series, produced by PRC from 1940 to 1946.
Plot
Billy the Kid runs into his old friend Fuzzy in a wide-open Texas t ...
'' (1940)
* ''
Billy the Kid's Gun Justice
''Billy the Kid's Gun Justice'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield for Producers Releasing Corporation, and 3rd in PRC's Billy the Kid series. Hal Erickson, Rovi.Billy the Kid's Gun Justice (1940), ''The New York Times''. ...
'' (1940)
* ''
The Lone Rider Fights Back
''The Lone Rider Fights Back'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars George Houston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Dorothy Short, Denni ...
'' (1941)
* ''
The Lone Rider in Ghost Town
''The Lone Rider in Ghost Town'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars George Houston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Rebel Randall, Budd ...
'' (1941)
* ''
The Lone Rider Rides On
''The Lone Rider Rides On'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars George Houston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Hillary Brooke, Karl Hac ...
'' (1941)
* ''
Billy the Kid in Santa Fe
''Billy the Kid in Santa Fe'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. This film is the sixth in the "Billy the Kid" film series, produced by PRC from 1940 to 1946, and the last to star Bob Steele. In the next film, ''Billy th ...
'' (1941)
* ''
Billy the Kid Trapped
''Billy the Kid Trapped'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot
Imprisoned and sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit, Billy, Fuzzy and Jeff break out of jail. The three escapees discover that there are thr ...
'' (1942)
* ''
Border Roundup
''Border Roundup'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars George F. Houston as the Lone Rider, Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, and Dennis Moore as Sheriff Smoky Moore ...
'' (1942)
* ''
Devil Riders
''Devil Riders'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. It was the first film in Producers Releasing Corporation's Billy the Kid film series where Crabbe changed his name to "Billy Carson".
Plot
Billy and Fuzzy are in charge ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Death Rides the Plains
''Death Rides the Plains'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Patti McCarty, Ray Benne ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Wolves of the Range
''Wolves of the Range'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy" Jones, with Frances Gladwin, I. Stan ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Cattle Stampede
''Cattle Stampede'' is a 1943 American Producers Releasing Corporation Western film of the "Billy the Kid" series directed by Sam Newfield.
Plot
Pursued through Arizona by a gang of outlaws turned bounty hunters for the massive reward on Bill ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Wild Horse Rustlers
''Wild Horse Rustlers'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Lane Chandler, Linda Leigh ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Raiders of Red Gap
''Raiders of Red Gap'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Robert Livingston as the Lone Rider and Al St. John as his sidekick "Fuzzy Jones", with Myrna Dell, Ed Cassidy, ...
'' (1943)
* ''
Law of the Valley
''Law of the Valley'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton.Martin, p. 168. This is the twelfth film in the "Marshal Nevada Jack McKenzie" series, and stars Johnny Mack Brown as Jack McKenzie and Raymond Hatton as his sid ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Valley of Vengeance
''Valley of Vengeance'' is a 1944 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Buster Crabbe, Al St. John, Evelyn Finley, Donald Mayo, David Polonsky and Glenn Strange. The film ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Land of the Outlaws
''Land of the Outlaws'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer.Martin p. 168. This is the eleventh film in the "Marshal Nevada Jack McKenzie" series, and stars Johnny Mack Brown as Jack McKenzie and Raymond Hatton as his sid ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Rustlers' Hideout
''Rustlers' Hideout'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield. In 1940 Crabbe had followed and replaced Bob Steele in the role of Billy the Kid in a series of B-Westerns. After 19 films as Billy, the character was renamed Bill ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Tucson Raiders
''Tucson Raiders'' is a 1944 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Wild Bill Elliott in the role of Red Ryder. It was the first of twenty-three Red Ryder feature films that would be produced by Rep ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Marshal of Reno
''Marshal of Reno'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Wallace Grissell starring Wild Bill Elliott in the role of Red Ryder. It was the second of twenty-three Red Ryder feature films that would be produced by Republic Pictures. The pict ...
'' (1944)
* ''
Frontier Outlaws
''Frontier Outlaws'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield shot at the Corriganville Movie Ranch.Schneider, Jerry L. ''The Corriganville Movie Ranch Filmography'' Lulu Press, Inc, 29 Jun 2014 It was the second film in Produce ...
Return of the Lash
''Return of the Lash'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Lash LaRue, Al St. John, Mary Maynard, Buster Slaven, George Chesebro and Lee Morgan. The film was released on Octob ...
'' (1947)
* ''
Check Your Guns
Check Your Guns is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor. It stars Eddie Dean and Nancy Gates.
Cast
* Eddie Dean as Eddie Dean
* Nancy Gates as Cathy Jordan
* Roscoe Ates as Soapy Jones
* George Chesebro as Banker Farrell
* I. ...
Nevada Badmen
''Nevada Badmen'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and written by Joseph O'Donnell. The film stars Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight, Jim Bannon, I. Stanford Jolley, Phyllis Coates and Marshall Reed. The film was released ...
'' (1951)
* ''
Oklahoma Justice
''Oklahoma Justice'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Johnny Mack Brown, James Ellison and Lane Bradford.
The film's sets were designed by the art director Dave Milton.
Partial cast
*Johnny Mack Bro ...
'' (1951)
* ''
Man from the Black Hills
''Man from the Black Hills'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Thomas Carr and starring Johnny Mack Brown, James Ellison and Rand Brooks.Drew p.179 It was distributed by Monogram Pictures which focused on low-budget second features. ...
'' (1952)
References
Bibliography
* Pitts, Michael R. ''Poverty Row Studios, 1929–1940: An Illustrated History of 55 Independent Film Companies, with a Filmography for Each''. McFarland & Company, 2005.