Wilson, Michael, 1914-1978

Wilson was born in McAlester, OK, July 1, 1914; graduated from UC Berkeley, 1936, and taught English and wrote short stories before going to Hollywood in 1940; early work consisted of William Boyd westerns; joined the Marines in WWII; became a contract writer with Liberty Film, 1945, working on such pictures as It's a wonderful life; named an unfriendly witness by the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted; worked on Herbert Biberman's independent production, Salt of the earth (1954), then moved to France and worked without receiving screen credit on various films including The friendly persuasion (1956), The bridge on the river Kwai (1957), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962); returned to the US, 1964, where he continued to write, including The sandpiper (1965), Planet of the apes (1968), and Che! (1969); recipient of numerous awards including an Academy Award for A place in the sun, 1951, and the Writers Guild of America's Laurel Award (1975); died Apr. 9, 1978.

Biography

Wilson was born in McAlester, OK, July 1, 1914; graduated from UC Berkeley, 1936, and taught English and wrote short stories before going to Hollywood in 1940; early work consisted of William Boyd westerns; joined the Marines in WWII; became a contract writer with Liberty Film, 1945, working on such pictures as It's a wonderful life; named an unfriendly witness by the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted; worked on Herbert Biberman's independent production, "Salt Of The Earth" (1954), then moved to France and worked without receiving screen credit on various films including "The Friendly Persuasion" (1956), "The Bridge On The River Kwai" (1957), and "Lawrence Of Arabia" (1962); returned to the US, 1964, where he continued to write, including "The Sandpiper" (1965), "Planet Of The Apes" (1968), and Che! (1969); recipient of numerous awards including an Academy Award for "A Place In The Sun" (1951), and the Writers Guild of America's Laurel Award (1975); died Apr. 9, 1978.