N. Richard Nash

N. Richard Nash ( born June 7, 1916, after other sources of June 8 in Philadelphia, † December 1, 2000 in Manhattan, New York City ) was an American author and screenwriter. He was known primarily for Broadway shows, including The Rainmaker, which was filmed in 1956 by Joseph Anthony.

Life

Nash was born as Nathan Richard Nusbaum, the youngest of six children. His father, a German-born journalist, died when he was 16. His mother kept a grocery store. As a teenager, Nusbaum money earned as a boxer. Later, he studied English and Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and remained there even after his studies as a lecturer in Theatre Studies and gamemasters a student stage. Besides, he wrote screenplays and popular dramas, and two philosophical writings. In 1935, he married actress Helen Taylor, with whom he had a son. Late thirties, he took the stage name of Nash, as his activity came as a screenwriter in Hollywood on interest and the family moved to Los Angeles.

As a result, Nash wrote numerous screenplays for films, Broadway shows and television, which flourished during this period. He also worked as a copywriter. The early forties he separated from his wife and moved to New York, where he married twice again within a year. His work as a screenwriter, he held upright. Among other things, he worked with Samuel Goldwyn at Metro Goldwyn Mayer. In the fifties, he was also a successful playwright. His most famous piece, The Rainmaker (debut 1954), has been translated into over 40 languages ​​and adapted as a Broadway musical 110 in the Shade.

With the beginning of the sixties, his success as an author was after first. He secured a second income by setting up a mail order business, but that he gave up soon. Later in his life he also published prose, including the two novels East Wind Rain and The Last Magic, who made it to the bestseller list of the New York Times. In the seventies, he published a drama and a novel under the pseudonym John Roc, because he was convinced that the pieces would not be taken seriously in the event of a release under his real name. Nash's identity with John Roc was strictly kept secret by him and known only after his death.

His literary activity, he upheld throughout his life.

Reception

Nash has been partially compared with William Inge, but never achieved the same literary reputation. From the criticism he was perceived more as a solid craftsmanship writing author who served a wider audience. His work as a writer has been awarded several prizes.

Bibliography (selection)

Dramas

  • The Second Best Bed (1946 )
  • See the Jaguar (1952 )
  • The Rainmaker (1954 )
  • Fire! (as John Roc )

Novels

  • East Wind Rain ( 1977), German East wind and rain
  • The Last Magic
  • Winter Blood (as John Roc )
  • The Wildwood (2000)

Filmography (selection)

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