Samuel Ornitz 1890-1957

s the son of a prosperous New York dry-goods merchant, Samuel Ornitz turned his back on the capitalist system, making his first public speech at the age of 12.

   Haunch Paunch and Jowl was a novel Ornitz wrote in 1923. It was a successful novel about a memoir of Jewish immigrant life.

   From 1929 through the early 40s, Ornitz wrote for small studios like RKO and Republic. 

   He organized and became a board member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1933. He was also very outspoken in Hollywood's left-wing community, alienating many of his liberal friends.

   In 1947, he was ordered to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He refused and served a year in prison for contempt of court, during which time he published his novel, Bride of the Sabbath.

   After his release from prison, Ornitz continued writing novels until his death at age 66.

Other works include:

·        Chinatown Nights (1929) (story Tong War)

·        The Case of Lena Smith (1929) (also story)

·        Secrets of the French Police (1932)

·        Hell's Highway (1932)

·        Thirteen Women (1932) (screenplay)

·        One Man's Journey (1933)

·        Great Jasper, The (1933)

·        Man Who Reclaimed His Head, The (1934)

·        Imitation of Life (1934) (contributing writer) (un-credited)

·        One Exciting Adventure (1934)

·        Mark of the Vampire (1935) (contributing writer) (un-credited) aka Vampires of Prague (1935)

·        Follow Your Heart (1936)

·        Fatal Lady (1936)

·        It Could Happen to You (1937)

·        Doctor's Diary, A (1937) (story)

·        Hit Parade of 1937 (1937) ...aka Hit Parade, The (1937) aka I'll Pick a Star (1937) (reissue title)          …aka I'll Reach for a Star (1937) (USA: TV title)

·        Two Wise Maids (1937)

·        Little Orphan Annie (1938) (also story)

·        King of the Newsboys (1938) (story)

·        Miracle on Main Street (1939)

·        Milagro de la calle mayor, El (1939) (story)

·        They Live in Fear (1944) (as Sam Ornitz)

·        China's Little Devils (1945) (as Sam Ornitz)

·        Circumstantial Evidence (1945) (adaptation) 

·        Sins of the Children (1930) ...aka Father's Day (1930) ...aka Richest Man in the World, The (1930)

·        Men of America (1932) ...aka Great Decision, The (1932) (UK)

·        Three Kids and a Queen (1935) ... aka Baxter Millions, The (1935) (UK)

·        Army Girl (1938) ...aka Last of the Cavalry, The (1938) (UK)

·        Three Faces West (1940) (screenplay) ...aka Refugee, The (1940)

·        Portia on Trial (1937) ...aka Trial of Portia Merriman, The (1937) (UK)