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Horace McCoy is a Scriptwriter and Additional Dialogue born on 14 april 1897

Horace McCoy

Horace McCoy
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Birth 14 april 1897
Death 15 december 1955 (at 58 years)

Horace McCoy, (Pegram , Tennessee, 14 avril 1897 – Beverly Hills, Californie, 15 décembre 1955), est un scénariste et un écrivain américain de romans noirs.

Biography

McCoy est né à Pegram, au Tennessee, de parents pauvres. Il commence à travailler à douze ans comme vendeur de journaux. À 16 ans, il quitte définitivement son école de Nashville et occupe différents emplois : mécanicien, vendeur itinérant, chauffeur de taxi.

En 1917, il s’engage dans l’armée, devient bombardier et observateur aérien et atterrit en France en 1918. Au cours d’une mission, il parvient à ramener son bombardier dont le pilote avait été tué. Il obtient la Croix de Guerre en août 1918, pour héroïsme, de la part du gouvernement français. Démobilisé, il devient journaliste sportif de 1919 à 1930 à Dallas. Il commence à écrire, et publie ses premières nouvelles dans les magazines de pulps à la fin des années 1920, dans un style vif et concis, inspiré d’Ernest Hemingway.

En 1929, la Grande Dépression lui fait perdre son emploi et il se retrouve alors tour à tour ouvrier saisonnier, serveur, garde du corps. En 1931, il arrive à Hollywood où il obtient d’abord quelques petits rôles avant de passer à l’écriture de scénarios (une quarantaine au total, dont Le Parfum de la femme traquée de Louis King en 1939, Gentleman Jim de Raoul Walsh en 1942, Le Fauve en liberté de Gordon Douglas en 1950, Le Cran d'arrêt de William Dieterle et Les Indomptables de Nicholas Ray en 1952).

En 1935 est publié son premier roman noir, On achève bien les chevaux, traduit en français après la guerre par Marcel Duhamel. L’année suivante, il termine Un linceul n'a pas de poches. Mais il ne trouve aucun éditeur, excepté en Angleterre en 1937. En France, le Linceul est publié en 1946 par la Série noire qui vient de naitre (n 4). Il est alors comparé à Steinbeck et à Hemingway.

Les États-Unis publient le Linceul en 1948 dans une version remaniée. En effet, McCoy n'épargne pas le rêve américain auquel tant d'Américains sont attachés, ainsi qu'Hollywood, véritable usine à rêve. Il apparait comme sulfureux dans une société attachée à ces valeurs. Ses romans suivants suivront l'esprit de ses premiers romans.

Il meurt en décembre 1955, à l'âge de 58 ans, d’une attaque cardiaque à Beverly Hills, dans l’indifférence générale.

Best films

Usually with

Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
(7 films)
Hans Dreier
Hans Dreier
(7 films)
Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams
(4 films)
Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Horace McCoy (36 films)

Display filmography as list

Scriptwriter

No Pockets in a Shroud, 2h5
Directed by Jean-Pierre Mocky
Origin France
Genres Drama, Crime
Themes Films about writers, Films about children, Films about journalists, Films about sexuality, Films about pedophilia
Actors Jean-Pierre Mocky, Daniel Gélin, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Myriam Mézières, Michael Lonsdale, Jean Carmet
Roles Novel
Rating61% 3.0749453.0749453.0749453.0749453.074945
Un journaliste, Michel Dolannes, décide d'utiliser son journal pour dénoncer les travers du système établi. Il mettra au jour de nombreux scandales avant d'être éliminé lorsqu'il s'attaquera au maire de la ville qui entretient une liaison pédéraste avec un garçon de 14 ans, le jeune fils d'un syndicaliste.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, 2h
Directed by Sydney Pollack
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller
Themes Dance films, Films about suicide
Actors Jane Fonda, Michael Sarrazin, Gig Young, Susannah York, Red Buttons, Bonnie Bedelia
Roles Novel
Rating77% 3.8978153.8978153.8978153.8978153.897815
Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin), who once dreamed of being a great film director, recalls the events leading to an unstated crime. In his youth, he saw a horse break its leg, after which it was shot and put out of its misery. Years later, in 1932 during the Great Depression, he wanders into a dance marathon about to begin in the shabby La Monica Ballroom, perched over the Pacific Ocean on the Santa Monica Pier, near Los Angeles. He is recruited by MC (Master of Ceremonies) Rocky (Gig Young) as a substitute partner for a cynical malcontent named Gloria (Jane Fonda), when her original partner is disqualified because of an ominous cough.
Rage at Dawn, 1h27
Directed by Tim Whelan
Origin USA
Genres Action, Western
Actors Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker, Mala Powers, J. Carrol Naish, Denver Pyle, Edgar Buchanan
Rating59% 2.952232.952232.952232.952232.95223
In this film's version of the story, four of the Reno Brothers are corrupt robbers and killers while a fifth, Clint (Denver Pyle) is a respected Indiana farmer. A sister, Laura (Mala Powers), who has inherited the family home, serves as a housekeeper and cook to the brothers. Some of them served in the Civil War, which has given them a hardened attitude toward violence. One brother is killed when they go after a bank in a nearby town, leading them to draw the conclusion that someone that they know is an informant, as the men of the town appeared to have been waiting for them. They soon learn that it was Murphy, a local bartender, whom they then murder by knocking him out, and tying him up in his barn, which they then set ablaze. The bartender was in fact an agent employed by the Peterson (in real life, Pinkerton) Detective Agency sent to investigate and provide information about the Reno Brothers' crimes.
Texas Lady
Texas Lady (1955)
, 1h26
Directed by Tim Whelan
Origin USA
Genres Western
Themes Films about writers, Films about journalists
Actors Claudette Colbert, Barry Sullivan, Ray Collins, James Bell, Horace McMahon, Gregory Walcott
Roles Story
Rating55% 2.7607452.7607452.7607452.7607452.760745
On a riverboat, gambler Chris Mooney loses heavily to Prudence Webb, borrows another $30,000 and loses that to her, too.
Dangerous Mission, 1h15
Directed by Irwin Allen, Louis King
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Action, Noir, Crime
Themes Psychologie
Actors Victor Mature, Piper Laurie, Vincent Price, William Bendix, Betta St. John, Dennis Weaver
Roles Story
Rating57% 2.8533352.8533352.8533352.8533352.853335
After a young woman, Louise Graham, witnesses the murder of a crime boss, she flees the city, deciding to hide out in Glacier National Park. She is followed by two men, Matt Hallett and Paul Adams, one of whom is a federal agent, who had sworn to protect her and bring her back as a witness, the other a ruthless killer, determined to murder her.
Daughters of Destiny, 1h42
Directed by Christian-Jaque, Jean Delannoy, Marcello Pagliero
Origin France
Genres Drama, Comedy
Themes Jeanne d'Arc, Histoire de France
Actors Claudette Colbert, Michèle Morgan, Martine Carol, Mirko Ellis, Nerio Bernardi, Gérard Buhr
Roles Writer
Rating53% 2.697132.697132.697132.697132.69713
In this trilogy of stories, the episode "Elizabeth" is about an American war-widow who goes to Italy where her husband was in WW II. The episode "Jeanne" tells the life of Jeanne d'Arc. The episode "Lysistrata" is about Athenian wives, an adaptation of the Greek play.
Bad for Each Other, 1h23
Directed by Irving Rapper
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Romance
Actors Charlton Heston, Lizabeth Scott, Dianne Foster, Mildred Dunnock, Arthur Franz, Ray Collins
Roles Story
Rating58% 2.901682.901682.901682.901682.90168
Army colonel and doctor Tom Owen returns home to Coalville, Pennsylvania, on leave. He learns from wealthy mine owner Dan Reasonover that his brother Floyd, a mine safety engineer killed in an explosion, had betrayed Dan's trust by purchasing substandard equipment and taking kickbacks. Floyd was also heavily in debt. Tom wants to pay Dan back, but Dan tells him to forget about the money.
The Turning Point, 1h25
Directed by William Dieterle
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Action, Noir, Crime
Themes Political films
Actors William Holden, Edmond O'Brien, Alexis Smith, Tom Tully, Ed Begley, Danny Dayton
Roles Story
Rating67% 3.3933753.3933753.3933753.3933753.393375
John Conroy, a crusading district attorney, is tasked to crack down on a crime syndicate, which proves more dangerous because the mob has many city officials under their control. He is assisted by a newspaper man, Jerry McKibbon, who does not think Conroy is tough enough to handle this almost impossible assignment. McKibbon finds his efforts are also compromised by political corruption. McKibbon is eventually shot down by an out-of-town assassin who was hired to kill him at a boxing match.
Montana Belle, 1h22
Directed by Allan Dwan
Origin USA
Genres Western
Actors Jane Russell, George Brent, Scott Brady, Forrest Tucker, Andy Devine, Jack Lambert
Rating56% 2.806632.806632.806632.806632.80663
Oklahoma outlaw Belle Starr meets the Dalton gang when rescued from lynching by Bob Dalton, who falls for her. So do gang member Mac and wealthy saloon owner Tom Bradfield, who's enlisted in a bankers' scheme to trap the Daltons. Dissension among the gang and Bradfield's ambivalence complicate the plot, as Belle demonstrates her prowess with shootin' irons, horses, and as a saloon entertainer.
The Lusty Men, 1h53
Directed by Robert Parrish, Nicholas Ray
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Action, Western
Actors Susan Hayward, Robert Mitchum, John Arthur Kennedy, Arthur Hunnicutt, Frank Faylen, Walter Coy
Roles Writer
Rating73% 3.6877553.6877553.6877553.6877553.687755
When longtime professional rodeo competitor Jeff McCloud (Robert Mitchum) is injured by a Brahma bull he was trying to ride, he decides to quit. He hitchhikes to his childhood home, a decrepit place now owned by Jeremiah (Burt Mustin). Run down as it is, it is the dream home for Wes Merritt (Arthur Kennedy) and his wife Louise (Susan Hayward). They are painstakingly saving up the money to buy it from Wes's meager wages as a cowhand. Wes recognizes Jeff as a once-prominent rodeo rider, and introduces himself, then helps Jeff gets a job at the same ranch. Wes has competed in some local rodeos, but has the ambition to do more, and wants Jeff to help him improve his skills.
The World in His Arms, 1h44
Directed by Raoul Walsh
Origin USA
Genres Action, Adventure, Historical, Romance
Themes Seafaring films, Transport films
Actors Gregory Peck, Ann Blyth, Anthony Quinn, John McIntire, Sig Ruman, Carl Esmond
Rating67% 3.3956453.3956453.3956453.3956453.395645
In 1850 San Francisco, Russian Countess Marina Selanova (Blyth) flees from an arranged marriage to Prince Semyon (Esmond). She books passage with "Portugee" (Quinn) to Sitka, where her uncle Governor Ivan Vorashilov (Sig Ruman) can protect her.
The Fireball, 1h25
Directed by Tay Garnett
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Actors Mickey Rooney, Pat O'Brien, Marilyn Monroe, James Brown, Ralph Dumke, Milburn Stone
Roles Writer
Rating57% 2.857412.857412.857412.857412.85741
Johnny Casar (Mickey Rooney) runs away from a home for wayward boys, tired of being teased about being short and a poor athlete. He soon finds a pair of roller skates and is befriended by Bruno Crystal (Ralph Dumke), who allows him to wash dishes at his café, while a priest who runs the home, Father O'Hara (Pat O'Brien), secretly keeps an eye on him.
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye, 1h42
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Origin USA
Genres Thriller, Mob film, Action, Noir, Crime
Themes Gangster films
Actors James Cagney, Barbara Payton, Helena Carter, Ward Bond, Luther Adler, Barton MacLane
Roles Novel
Rating70% 3.5440853.5440853.5440853.5440853.544085
Ralph Cotter is a career criminal who escapes from prison, then murders his partner-in-crime. Along the way he attempts to woo his ex-partner's sister (Barbara Payton) by threatening to expose her role in his escape.
Flight for Freedom, 1h42
Directed by Lothar Mendes
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Transport films, Aviation films
Actors Rosalind Russell, Fred MacMurray, Herbert Marshall, Eduardo Ciannelli, Walter Kingsford, Hugh Beaumont
Roles Story
Rating59% 2.9984552.9984552.9984552.9984552.998455
Tonie Carter (Rosalind Russell) is a well-known aviatrix who is fighting the prejudice against women pilots in the aviation establishment of the 1930s. One of her rivals, pilot Randy Britton (Fred MacMurray), is attracted to her. After setting flight records, Tonie embarks on a solo circumnavigation of the globe.