Jay Dratler
Encyclopedia
Jay Dratler was born in 1911 in New York City. After attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in the late 1920s, he transferred to a college in France where he became fluent in French and German.
Cashing in on his exceptional language skills on his return to the United States, he become a successful screenwriter and novelist. He was considered very influential during the classic era of film noir
in the 1940s. His films include Call Northside 777
, The Dark Corner
, I Aim at the Stars
, and Laura
. He won an Academy Award
for Call Northside 777 and was nominated for his writing on Laura. Dratler died in 1968.
In the mid 1930's, Jay & his wife Binks lived in a Vienna, Austria apartment with Lev Nussimbaum (aka Essad Bey & aka Kurt Said) and his wife Erica. Binks was a painter and Jay wrote novels at the time. Read "The Orientalist" by Tom Reiss for more information.
His son, Jay Dratler, Jr., became a professor of law.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in the late 1920s, he transferred to a college in France where he became fluent in French and German.
Cashing in on his exceptional language skills on his return to the United States, he become a successful screenwriter and novelist. He was considered very influential during the classic era of film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
in the 1940s. His films include Call Northside 777
Call Northside 777
Call Northside 777 is a documentary-style film noir directed by Henry Hathaway. It is based on the true story of a Chicago reporter who proved that a man, who had been in prison for murder, was wrongly convicted 11 years before....
, The Dark Corner
The Dark Corner
The Dark Corner is a 1946 film noir directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Lucille Ball, Mark Stevens and Clifton Webb. The film is an example of a classic film noir and features a rare dramatic role for Ball.-Plot:...
, I Aim at the Stars
I Aim at the Stars
I Aim at the Stars is a 1960 biographical film which tells the story of the life of Wernher von Braun. The film covers his life from his early days in Germany, through Peenemünde, up until his work with the U.S...
, and Laura
Laura (1944 film)
Laura is a 1944 American film noir directed by Otto Preminger. It stars Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb. The screenplay by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt is based on the 1943 novel of the same title by Vera Caspary....
. He won an Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Call Northside 777 and was nominated for his writing on Laura. Dratler died in 1968.
In the mid 1930's, Jay & his wife Binks lived in a Vienna, Austria apartment with Lev Nussimbaum (aka Essad Bey & aka Kurt Said) and his wife Erica. Binks was a painter and Jay wrote novels at the time. Read "The Orientalist" by Tom Reiss for more information.
His son, Jay Dratler, Jr., became a professor of law.