The Writers: A History of American Screenwriters and Their Guild

by Miranda J. Banks

  Fay Kanin stressed that successful writers were often the ones who made the greatest sacrifices. “The writers who fought and went on strike for minimums were writers who did not need those minimums. They . . . felt that it was [their] obligation. . . . When I hear new young writers say. . . . ‘The Guild doesn’t represent me, really.’ I say, ‘It doesn’t? How do you think you got all the things that you have that you take for granted? It’s because of all the years this Guild fought for it, went on strike for it, and that has been a gift to you.’”23

  Many writers I met said they first began learning about Guild history during a strike. Pacing the picket lines, they would see generations of writers walking together and understood that they were a part of community of creative laborers. Although many writers bemoaned particular Guild actions, each of them, at some point, expressed gratitude for the commitment and passion of the screenwriting community. As David Dortort said, “What a writer should do is write. But mostly he should help other writers if he can. And that’s the greatness of the Writers Guild.”24

  At times the Writers Guild has failed its members and lost sight of its mission. Yet it remains the most passionate, forward-thinking trade union in the American entertainment industry. What these pages offer is a model that can be used to appraise the history of other entertainment labor groups. With each technological, economic, and cultural change, workers must and will respond. As the particulars of their daily tasks change, systems of compensation and rules about labor will need to be renegotiated. Questions about ownership, credit, and status in the creative community will once again be central to these debates.

  Writers will never have it easy—and if ever they did, they would surely find the experience woefully dull. Great dramas are rarely born from carefree souls. While they gripe about their lot, screenwriters also feel certain they can craft a satisfying ending. And so they crumple up their last defeat and pitch a better story.

  APPENDIX A

  SCREENWRITERS AND SELECTED CREDITS

  AA = Academy Award (n = nomination)

  EA = Emmy Award (n = nomination)

  WGAA = Writers Guild of America Award; pre-1954, Screen Writers Guild

  Award (n = nomination)

  WGA East awards:

  Evelyn F. Burkey (for contributions bringing honor and dignity to writers)

  Ian McClellan Hunter (for a body of work in film and/or television)

  Richard B. Jablow (for devoted service to the Guild)

  Herb Sargent (for commitment, comic genius, and mentoring of new writers)

  WGA West awards:

  Animation Writing (for advancing the literature of animation in film and/or television)

  Morgan Cox (for ideas and efforts in service to the Guild)

  Valentine Davies (for contributions bringing honor and dignity to writers)

  Laurel (for advancing the literature of motion pictures or television and contributions to the profession)

  Robert Meltzer (for an act of bravery in defense of freedom of expression)

  Edmund H. North (for creative leadership and professional achievement)

  Paul Selvin (for a script that embodies the spirit of the Constitution and Bill of Rights)

  Other awards:

  George Foster Peabody Award: given in recognition of distinguished achievement and meritorious service by broadcasters, cable and webcasters, producing organizations, and individuals (theatrical motion picture releases are not eligible)

  Humanitas Prize: awarded for motion picture and television writing that promotes human dignity, meaning, and freedom

  National Medal of Arts: the highest award to artists and patrons of the arts by the US government

  Akil, Mara Brock: Moesha (1996–2001), Girlfriends (2000–2008), The Game (2006–, creator)

  Allen, Jay Presson: Marnie (1964), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1964, WGAAn), Cabaret (1972, AAn, WGAA), Family (1976–1980, Humanitas Prize 1976), Hunter Award (1997)

  Allen, Woody: Annie Hall (1977, AA, WGAA), Manhattan (1979, AAn, WGAAn), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986, AA, WGAA), Laurel Award (1987), Midnight in Paris (2011, AA, WGAA)

  Anderson, Paul Thomas: Boogie Nights (1997, AAn, WGAAn), Magnolia (2000, AAn, WGAAn), There Will Be Blood (2007, AAn, WGAAn), The Master (2013, WGAAn)

  Anderson, Wes: Rushmore (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001, AAn, WGAAn), Moonrise Kingdom (2012, AAn, WGAAn)

  Auerbach, John: Stepfather II (1989, with Carolyn Lefcourt, Brian Garfield, and Donald E. Westlake), Jablow Award (2005)

  August, John: Go (1999), Charlie’s Angels (2000), Big Fish (2003), Corpse Bride (2005), Frankenweenie (2012)

  Avedon, Barbara: The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966), Bewitched (1964–1972), Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988, creator with Barbara Corday)

  Axelrod, George: The Seven Year Itch (1955, with Billy Wilder), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, AAn, WGAA), The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

  Barbash, Bob: Zane Grey Theater (1956–1961), Alcoa Theatre (1957–1960), Starsky & Hutch (1975–1979)

  Barnouw, Erik: The United States Steel Hour (1953–1963), RWG president (1947–1949), author of A History of Broadcasting in the United States (Oxford UP, 1966–1970), first curator of the Library of Congress’s Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division

  Bass, Ronald: Rain Man (1988, with Barry Morrow, AA, WGAAn), The Joy Luck Club (1993, WGAAn), My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998, with Terry McMillan)

  Belkin, Gary: Caesar’s Hour (1954–1957, EAn), Car 54, Where Are You? (1961–1963, with Nat Hiken, WGAA), The Danny Kaye Show (1963–1967, EAn), The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978, EAn), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992, EAn), Annie, the Women in the Life of a Man (1970, EA)

  Berg, Gertrude: The Goldbergs (1949–1956), The Gertrude Berg Show (1961–1962)

  Bernstein, Walter: You Are There (1953–1957, uncredited), Fail-Safe (1964), The Front (1976, AAn, WGAAn), Semi-Tough (1977, WGAAn), Hunter Award (1994), Miss Evers’ Boys (1997, EAn, Humanitas Prize), Burkey Award (2008), blacklisted

  Bessie, Alvah: Objective, Burma! (1945, with Ranald MacDougall and Lester Cole, AAn), Ruthless (1948), Passage West (1951, Nedrick Young as front, with Lewis R. Foster), blacklisted

  Biberman, Herbert: Action in Arabia (1944, with Philip MacDonald), The Master Race (1944, with Anne Froelick), Salt of the Earth (1954, director), blacklisted

  Blankfort, Michael: An Act of Murder (1948), Broken Arrow (1950, as front for Albert Maltz), The Caine Mutiny (1954, with Stanley Roberts), WGAw president (1967–1969), Davies Award (1972)

  Blinn, William: Brian’s Song (1971, EA, WGAA, Peabody Award), Starsky & Hutch (1975–1979, creator), Roots (1977, EA, Humanitas Prize), The Boys Next Door (1996, WGA), Laurel Award (2009)

  Boulware, Bill: Benson (1979–1986), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), The Parkers (1999–2004)

  Bowman, John: Saturday Night Live (1975–present, EA), In Living Color (1990–1994, EAn), Martin (1992–1997, creator), Frank TV (2007–2008, creator)

  Brackett, Charles: SWG president (1938–1939), Ninotchka (1939, with Billy Wilder and Walter Reisch, AAn), The Lost Weekend (1945, with Billy Wilder, AA), AMPAS president (1949–1955), Sunset Blvd. (1950, with Billy Wilder and D. M. Marshman Jr., AA, WGAA), Titanic (1953, AA), Honorary AA (1957), Laurel Award (1957), North Award (1967)

  Brecher, Irving: Go West (1940), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944, with Fred F. Finklehoffe, AAn), The Life of Riley (1949–1950, creator), Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

  Brecht, Bertolt: The Threepenny Opera (1931, libretto), Hangmen Also Die! (1943, with Fritz Lang and John Wexley), blacklisted

  Bright, John: The Public Enemy (1931, with Kubec Glasmon, AAn), She Done Him Wrong (1933, with Harvey F. Thew and Mae West), blacklisted

  Brooks, Adam: French Kiss (1995), Beloved (1998), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004, with Richard Curtis, Andrew Davies, and Helen Fielding)

  Brooks, James L.: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (197
0–1977, creator with Allan Burns, EA, WGAAn), Taxi (1978–1983, creator with Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed. Weinberger), Terms of Endearment (1983, AA, WGAA), Broadcast News (1987, AAn, WGAAn), The Tracy Ullman Show (1989, EA), The Simpsons (1989–present, developed by, with Matt Groening and Sam Simon), As Good as It Gets (1997, with Mark Andrus, AAn, WGAA), Laurel Award (1998, with Allan Burns), Sargent Award (2006)

  Brooks, Mel: Your Show of Shows (1950–1954), Get Smart (1965–1970, creator with Buck Henry, EAn), Sid Caesar Special (1967, EA, WGAA), The Producers (1968, AA, WGAA), The Twelve Chairs (1971, WGAAn), Young Frankenstein (1974, with Gene Wilder, AAn, WGAAn), Blazing Saddles (1974, with Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, and Alan Uger, WGAA), Silent Movie (1977, WGAAn), Laurel Award (2003)

  Bucatinsky, Dan: Lipstick Jungle (2008–2009), Web Therapy (2008–present, web series, creator with Lisa Kudrow and Don Roos), Web Therapy (2011–present, television series, creator with Lisa Kudrow and Don Roos, EAn)

  Buchman, Sidney: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939, AAn), SWG president (1941–1942), Here Comes Mister Jordan (1941, with Seton I. Miller, AA), The Talk of the Town (1942, AAn), Jolson Sings Again (1949, AAn, WGAAn), Meltzer Award (1952), Laurel Award (1965), blacklisted

  Burns, Allan: The Bullwinkle Show (1961–1964), The Munsters (1964–1966, creator with Chris Hayward), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977, creator with James L.

  Brooks, EA, WGAAn), Rhoda (1974–1978, creator with James L. Brooks, EAn), A Little Romance (1979, AAn, WGAAn), Davies Award (1992), Laurel Award (1998, with James L. Brooks)

  Butler, Hugo: A Christmas Carol (1938), Edison, the Man (1940, with Dore Schary, AAn), Lassie Come Home (1943), Robinson Crusoe (1954, with Luis Buñuel, pseudonym Philip Ansell Roll, credit awarded in 1997), blacklisted

  Butler, Jean Rouverol: So Young So Bad (1950, with Bernard Vorhaus), Search for Tomorrow (1951–1986), Guiding Light (1952–2009, co-head writer 1975–1976, EAn, WGAA), Autumn Leaves (1956, with Hugh Butler [both under pseudonym Jack Jevne], Lewis Meltzer, and Robert Blees, credit restored 1997), As the World Turns (1956–2010), Cox Award (1987), blacklisted

  Cain, James M.: Algiers (1938, with John Howard Lawson), Stand Up and Fight (1939, with Jane Murfin and Harvey Fergusson), Gypsy Wildcat (1944, with James P. Hogan and Gene Lewis)

  Cannell, Stephen J.: The Rockford Files (1974–1980, creator with Roy Huggins, WGAAn), The Greatest American Hero (1982, EAn, WGAAn), The A-Team (1983–1987, creator with Frank Lupo), 21 Jump Street (1987–1991, creator with Patrick Hasburgh), Silk Stalkings (1991–1999), Laurel Award (2006)

  Carroll, Bob, Jr.: I Love Lucy (1951–1957, EAn), The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957–1958), The Lucy Show (1962–1968), The Mothers-in-Law (1967–1969, creator with Madelyn Pugh Davis), Here’s Lucy (1968–1974, with Madelyn Pugh Davis, EAn), Laurel Award (1992, with Jess Oppenheimer and Madelyn Pugh Davis)

  Carson, Robert: A Star Is Born (1937, AA [original story, with William A. Wellman], AAn [screenplay, with Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell]), Beau Geste (1939)

  Chandler, Raymond: Double Indemnity (1944, with Billy Wilder, AAn), The Blue Dahlia (1946, AAn), Strangers on a Train (1951, with Czenzi Ormonde)

  Chaplin, Charles: The Circus (1928, Special AA), The Great Dictator (1940, AAn), Monsieur Verdoux (1947, AAn), Honorary AA (1972)

  Chase, Borden: Red River (1948, with Charles Schnee, AAn, WGAAn), Winchester ’73 (1950, with Robert L. Richards, WGAAn)

  Chayefsky, Paddy: The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (1948–1956, EAn), Marty (1955, AA, WGAA), 20th Century Fox Hour (1958, WGAA), The Hospital (1971, AA, WGAA), Laurel Award (1974), Network (1976, AA, WGAA)

  Cherry, Marc: The Golden Girls (1985–1992), Desperate Housewives (2004–2012, creator, EAn)

  Chetwynd, Lionel: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1974, with Mordecai Richler, AAn, WGAA), Color of Justice (1997, WGAAn), Ike: Countdown to D-Day (2004, Humanitas Prize)

  Clark, Ron: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967–1970, EAn), The Paul Lynde Show (1972–1973, creator with Sam Bobrick), Silent Movie (1976, with Mel Brooks, Rudy De Luca, and Barry Levinson, WGAAn)

  Cody, Diablo: Juno (2007, AA, WGAA), The United States of Tara (2009–2011), Young Adult (2011, WGAAn)

  Coen, Joel, and Ethan Coen: Raising Arizona (1987), Barton Fink (1991), Fargo (1996, AA, WGAA), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, AAn), The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001, WGAAn), No Country for Old Men (2007, AA, WGAA), Burn After Reading (2008, WGAAn), A Serious Man (2009, AAn, WGAAn), True Grit (2010, AAn, WGAAn)

  Coffee, Lenore J.: The Better Wife (1919), Street of Chance (1930, with Howard Estabrook, AAn), Four Daughters (1938, with Julius J. Epstein, AAn), Sudden Fear (1952, with Robert Smith)

  Cole, Lester: Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case (1933, with Marion Orth), SWG president (1944–1945), Objective Burma! (1945, with Alvah Bessie and Ranald MacDougall), Born Free (1966, pseudonym Gerald L. C. Copley, credit restored 1997), SWG founding member, blacklisted

  Collins, Richard J.: Song of Russia (1944, with Paul Jarrico), Bonanza (1959–1973), Matlock (1986–1995), blacklisted

  Condon, Bill: Gods and Monsters (1998, AA, WGAAn), Chicago (2002, AAn, WGAAn), Kinsey (2004, WGAAn), Dreamgirls (2006)

  Coppola, Francis Ford: Patton (1970, with Edmund H. North, AA, WGAA), The Godfather (1972, with Mario Puzo, AA, WGAA), The Conversation (1974, AAn, WGAAn), The Godfather, Part II (1974, AA, WGAA), Apocalypse Now (1979, with John Milius, AAn, WGAAn), The Rainmaker (1997)

  Corday, Barbara: Wonder Woman (1975–1979), Cagney & Lacey (1981–1988, creator with Barbara Avedon), vice president for Comedy Series Development at ABC (1979–1982), president of Columbia Pictures Television (1984–1987), executive vice president of Primetime Programming at CBS (1988–1990)

  Corddry, Rob: Children’s Hospital (2008–present, creator), Newsreaders (2013–present, creator with Jonathan Stern and David Wain)

  Corey, George: Mr. Winkle Goes to War (1944, with Waldo Salt and Louis Solomon), blacklisted

  Cosby, Bill: The Bill Cosby Show (1969–1971, creator with Ed. Weinberger and Michael Zagor), The Cosby Show (1984–1992, creator with Ed. Weinberger and Michael Leeson, Peabody Award)

  Crane, David: Dream On (1990–1996, EAn), Friends (1994–2004), Episodes (2011–present, creator with Jeffrey Klarik, EAn, WGAAn)

  Crawford, Oliver: Rawhide (1959–1965), Ben Casey (1961–1966), The Fugitive (1963–1967), Star Trek (1966–1969), The Bionic Woman (1976–1978), Cox Award (1983, 1997), blacklisted

  Cuse, Carlton: Nash Bridges (1996–2001, creator), Lost (2004–2010, EAn, WGAA), Bates Motel (2013–present)

  Davies, Valentine: Miracle on 34th Street (1947, with George Seaton, AA), It Happens Every Spring (1949, with Shirley W. Smith, AAn, WGAAn), SWG president (1949–1950), The Glenn Miller Story (1954, with Oscar Brodney, AAn, WGAAn), AMPAS president (1960–1961)

  Davis, Elias: The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978, EAn), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1977), M*A*S*H (1972–1983, WGAAn, Humanitas Prize), Frasier (1993–2004, WGAAn)

  Davis, Madelyn Pugh: I Love Lucy (1951–1957, EAn), The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957–1960), The Lucy Show (1962–1968), The Mothers-in-Law (1967–1969, creator with Bob Carroll Jr.), Here’s Lucy (1968–1974, with Bob Carroll Jr., EAn), Laurel Award (1992, with Jess Oppenheimer and Bob Carroll Jr.)

  Day, Felicia: The Guild (2007–present), Table Top (2012–present, creator with Wil Wheaton)

  Diamond, I.A.L.: Some Like It Hot (1959, with Billy Wilder, AAn, WGAA), The Apartment (1960, with Billy Wilder, AA, WGAA), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970, with Billy Wilder, WGAAn), Laurel Award (1980)

  Didion, Joan: Play It As It Lays (1972, with John Gregory Dunne), True Confessions (1981, with John Gregory Dunne), Up Close and Personal (1996, with John Gregory Dunne), Burkey Award (2007)

  Di Pego, Gerald: Born Innocent (1974), Phenomenon (1996), Instinct (1999)

  Dmytryk, Edward: Bluebeard (1972), blacklisted

  Dortort, David: Fires
ide Theater (1953–1954), A Cry in the Night (1956), The Restless Gun (1957–1959), Bonanza (1959–1973, creator with Fred Hamilton)

  Dubbin, Rob: The Colbert Report (2005–present, EA, WGAA)

  Dunham, Lena: Tiny Furniture (2010), Girls (2012–present, EAn, WGAA, WGAAn)

  Dunne, Philip: How Green Was My Valley (1941, AAn), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), Pinky (1949, with Dudley Nichols), Laurel Award (1962), Davies Award (1974)

  Eckstein, George: The Untouchables (1959–1963), The Fugitive (1963–1967, WGAAn), The Bad Seed (1985, WGAAn)

  Ephron, Nora: Silkwood (1983, with Alice Arlen, AAn, WGAAn), When Harry Met Sally . . . (1989, AAn, WGAAn), Sleepless in Seattle (1993, with David S. Ward and Jeff Arch, AAn, WGAAn), Hunter Award (2003), Julie & Julia (2009, WGAAn)

  Epstein, Julius J.: Four Daughters (1938, with Lenore J. Coffee, AAn), The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942, with Philip G. Epstein), Casablanca (1942, with Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch, AA), Arsenic and Old Lace (1944, with Philip G. Epstein), Laurel Award (1956), Reuben, Reuben (1983, AAn, WGAA)

  Estabrook, Howard: Street of Chance (1930, with Lenore J. Coffee, AAn), Cimarron (1931, AA), David Copperfield (1935), The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1944)

  Eszterhas, Joe: Flashdance (1983, with Thomas Hedley Jr.), Basic Instinct (1992), Showgirls (1995)

  Fey, Tina: Saturday Night Live (1975–present, head writer 1999–2006, EA, WGAA), Mean Girls (2004, WGAAn), 30 Rock (2006–2013, creator, EA, WGAA)

  Fitzgerald, F. Scott: Three Comrades (1938, with Edward E. Paramore Jr.)

  Fontana, Tom: St. Elsewhere (1982–1988, EA, WGAA, Humanitas Prize), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999, EA, WGAA), Oz (1997–2003, creator, WGAAn), Jablow Award (2009), Copper (2013–2013, creator with Will Rokos)