Jonathan Latimer Miscellaneous Scripts and Screenplays, 1940-1960

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Summary

Abstract:
Papers of Jonathan Latimer, journalist, screen writer and detective story author. Materials include a small collection of story ideas, outlines, scripts and screenplays arranged alphabetically by title.
Extent:
0.6 Linear feet (2 archives boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Jonathan Latimer Miscellaneous Scripts and Screenplays, MSS 133. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Background

Scope and content:

Small collection of story ideas, outlines, scripts and screenplays. Arranged alphabetically by title.

Biographical / historical:

Jonathan Latimer, journalist, screen writer and detective story author was born October 23, 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Mesa Ranch School in Arizona from 1922-1925 and later studied at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1929. In the same year he began his career as a writer at the Chicago Herald Examiner and later wrote for the Chicago Tribune. Working as a police reporter and "rewrite man," Latimer covered stories in the gangster world through the early 1930s, and met notorious crime figures including Al Capone.

After writing an article about Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, Latimer was hired as a ghost writer for the Department of the Interior. During the time Latimer worked as a ghost writer for Ickes, he began the first of his series of mystery novels. His first novel, Murder in a Madhouse, became a 1935 best-seller and introduced Bill Crane, the hard-drinking detective and hero of five of Latimer's novels.

After serving in the U.S. Navy between 1942 and 1945, Latimer became a successful Hollywood screenwriter, producing scripts for such movies as "Lady in the Morgue," "Topper Returns," and the "Glass Key," as well as ten films directed by John Farrow. Latimer later wrote television scripts for forty-five episodes of the "Perry Mason" show, 1960-1965. Latimer also wrote ten episodes for the "Markham" series and about twenty television specials.

Jonathan Latimer retired to La Jolla, California in 1973, where he died on June 23, 1983.

Acquisition information:
Acquired 1983
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.

Terms of access:

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Preferred citation:

Jonathan Latimer Miscellaneous Scripts and Screenplays, MSS 133. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Location of this collection:
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0175
La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, US
Contact:
(858) 534-2533
spcoll@ucsd.edu
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