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W.R. Burnett (1899–1982)

Writer | Miscellaneous Crew

One of the most influential writers in screen history, W. R. Burnett has contributed countless classic moments in cinema. Born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1899. By the time he left in 1927, he'd written over a hundred short stories and five novels, all unpublished. At 28, he left a civil service job he'd held for years and moved to Chicago where he found a job as a night-clerk in a seedy hotel... See full bio »

Born:

William Riley Burnett
in Springfield, Ohio, USA

Died:

(age 82) in Santa Monica, California, USA
8 news articles »

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Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination See more awards »

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Filmography

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1972 Cool Breeze (novel "The Asphalt Jungle")
 
1969 Stiletto (uncredited)
 
1968 Ice Station Zebra (uncredited)
 
1968 Bonanza (TV series)
– The Stronghold (1968) (writer)
 
1967 The Virginian (TV series)
– The Fortress (1967) (story)
 
1967 Off to See the Wizard (TV series)
– Hell Cats (1967) (writer)
 
1967 The Jackals (story)
 
1965 The Legend of Jesse James (TV series)
– Manhunt (1965) (adaptation)
 
1963 4 for Texas (uncredited)
 
1963 The Great Escape (screenplay)
 
1963 Cairo (novel)
 
1962 Sergeants 3 (written by)
 
1961 The Lawbreakers
 
1961 The Asphalt Jungle (TV series)
– The Lady and the Lawyer (1961) (writer)
 
1960 Naked City (TV series)
– Debt of Honor (1960) (writer)
 
1960 September Storm
 
1960 The Untouchables (TV series)
– The Big Squeeze (1960) (story / teleplay)
 
1959 77 Sunset Strip (TV series)
– Thanks for Tomorrow (1959) (teleplay)
 
1959 The Hangman (uncredited)
 
1958 The Badlanders (novel)
 
1957 Short Cut to Hell (1942 screenplay This Gun for Hire / originally - uncredited)
 
1956 Accused of Murder (novel "Vanity Row" / screenplay)
 
1955 Screen Directors Playhouse (TV series)
– Rookie of the Year (1955) (story)
 
1955 I Died a Thousand Times (novel "High Sierra" - uncredited / written by)
 
1955 Illegal (screenplay)
 
1955 Captain Lightfoot (novel)
 
1954 Night People (uncredited)
 
1954 Dangerous Mission
 
1953 Arrowhead (novel "Adobe Walls")
 
1953 Law and Order (novel "Saint Johnson" / as William R. Burnett)
 
1952 Studio One in Hollywood (TV series)
– Little Man, Big World (1952) (story)
 
1951 The Racket (screenplay)
 
1951 Iron Man (novel)
 
1950 Vendetta
 
1950 Danger (TV series)
– Dressing Up (1950) (writer)
 
1950 The Asphalt Jungle (from a novel by)
 
1949 Colorado Territory (novel "High Sierra" - uncredited)
 
1948 Yellow Sky (story)
 
1948 Belle Starr's Daughter (original screenplay)
 
1947 The Man I Love (uncredited)
 
1946 Nobody Lives Forever (novel "I Wasn't Born Yesterday" - uncredited / original screenplay)
 
1945 San Antonio (screenplay)
 
1943 Background to Danger (screenplay)
 
1943 Action in the North Atlantic (additional dialogue)
 
1943 Crash Dive (story)
 
1942 Wake Island (screenplay / story - uncredited)
 
1942 This Gun for Hire (screen play)
 
1941 Dance Hall (novel "Giant Swing")
 
1941 The Getaway (screenplay)
 
1941 High Sierra (novel / screenplay)
 
1940 Law and Order (novel "Saint Johnson")
 
1940 The Westerner (uncredited)
 
1940 Dark Command (novel)
 
1939 King of the Underworld (adapted from a story by)
 
1937 Some Blondes Are Dangerous (novel "Iron Man")
 
1937 Wine, Women and Horses (novel "Dark Hazard" - uncredited)
 
1937 Wild West Days (based on novel "Saint Johnson" by)
 
1936 36 Hours to Kill (story "Across the Aisle")
 
1935 Dr. Socrates (story)
 
1935 The Whole Town's Talking (story)
 
1934 Dark Hazard (novel)
 
1932 Scarface (continuity / dialogue)
 
1932 Law and Order (novel "Saint Johnson" / as William R. Burnett)
 
1932 The Beast of the City (story)
 
1931 Iron Man (story / as William R. Burnett)
 
1931 The Finger Points (by)
 
1931 Little Caesar (novel)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (1 title)
1932 Scarface (continuity)
 
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1953) Novel: "Adobe Walls" (filmed as Arrowhead) See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Article  | See more »

Alternate Names:

William R. Burnett | James Updyke
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Star Sign:

Sagittarius