Arthur Laurents

Arthur Laurents (born July 14, 1918) is an American playwright, novelist, screenwriter, librettist and stage director.

Related Topics:
July 14 - 1918 - American - Playwright - Novelist - Screenwriter

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He was born in New York City to a Jewish family. After studying at Cornell University and a stint in the Army, he began writing scripts for radio, and in 1945 wrote his first play, Home of the Brave, a drama set during World War II.

Related Topics:
New York City - Jewish - Cornell University - Army - 1945 - Home of the Brave - World War II

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During McCarthyism, Laurents was blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses and for several years none of his works were used in film. Other plays by Laurents include Time of the Cuckoo, Invitation to a March, The Enclave, and Jolson Sings Again. He also has written the books for several musicals, including West Side Story, , Anyone Can Whistle, and Do I Hear a Waltz?, which was based on his play Time of the Cuckoo. Laurents has directed several Broadway productions as well, including the musicals I Can Get It for You Wholesale and La Cage Aux Folles.

Related Topics:
McCarthyism - Blacklisted - Hollywood - Movie studio - West Side Story - Anyone Can Whistle - Broadway

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Laurents has also written two novels, The Way We Were, and The Turning Point, both of which became successful films for which Laurents wrote the screenplays. He also wrote the screenplays for Alfred Hitchcock's film Rope, The Snake Pit, and Anastasia.

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In 2000 Laurents published a memoir, Original Story By.

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