Anthony Shaffer
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joshua Shaffer (15 May 19266 November 2001) was an English playwright, screenwriter, novelist, barrister, and advertising executive.
, the son of Reka (née Fredman) and Jack Shaffer, who was an estate agent
with his wife's family. He was the identical twin brother of writer and dramatist Peter Shaffer
. He graduated with a law degree from Trinity College, Cambridge
.
Shaffer's most notable work was the play Sleuth
(1970), which he adapted for the film version which starred Laurence Olivier
and Michael Caine
, and was Oscar nominated. He received Edgar Award
s from the Mystery Writers of America
for both versions: for Best Play in 1971, and Best Screenplay in 1973.
His other major screenplays include the Hitchcock thriller Frenzy
(1972) and the British cult thriller The Wicker Man (1973) with whose director, Robin Hardy
, Shaffer had previously set up a television production company Hardy, Shaffer & Associates.
, whom he met in 1973 when she appeared in The Wicker Man. She had previously been married to Sean Connery
.
Biography
Shaffer was born to a Jewish family in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, the son of Reka (née Fredman) and Jack Shaffer, who was an estate agent
Estate agent
An estate agent is a person or business that arranges the selling, renting or management of properties, and other buildings, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. An agent that specialises in renting is often called a letting or management agent...
with his wife's family. He was the identical twin brother of writer and dramatist Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer
Sir Peter Levin Shaffer is an English dramatist and playwright, screenwriter and author of numerous award-winning plays, several of which have been filmed.-Early life:...
. He graduated with a law degree from Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
.
Shaffer's most notable work was the play Sleuth
Sleuth (play)
Sleuth is a 1970 play written by Anthony Shaffer. The play is set in the Wiltshire, England manor house of Andrew Wyke, an immensely successful mystery writer. His home reflects Wyke's obsession with the inventions and deceptions of fiction and his fascination with games and game-playing...
(1970), which he adapted for the film version which starred Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
and Michael Caine
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
, and was Oscar nominated. He received Edgar Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
s from the Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America is an organization for mystery writers, based in New York.The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday....
for both versions: for Best Play in 1971, and Best Screenplay in 1973.
His other major screenplays include the Hitchcock thriller Frenzy
Frenzy
Frenzy is a 1972 British thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and is the penultimate feature film of his extensive career. The film is based upon the novel Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square by Arthur La Bern, and was adapted for the screen by Anthony Shaffer. La Bern...
(1972) and the British cult thriller The Wicker Man (1973) with whose director, Robin Hardy
Robin Hardy (film director)
Robin Hardy is an English author and film director. His most famous directorial work was The Wicker Man, and his latest project is a film adaptation of his book Cowboys for Christ, which has been retitled as, The Wicker Tree...
, Shaffer had previously set up a television production company Hardy, Shaffer & Associates.
Personal
Shaffer was married three times and had two children. His third wife was the Australian actress Diane CilentoDiane Cilento
Diane Cilento was an Australian theatre and film actress and author.-Biography:Cilento's parents, Sir Raphael Cilento and Lady Phyllis Cilento, were both distinguished medical practitioners....
, whom he met in 1973 when she appeared in The Wicker Man. She had previously been married to Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...
.
Novels
- The Woman in the Wardrobe: a lighthearted detective story (1951)
- How Doth the Little Crocodile?How Doth the Little Crocodile?How Doth The Little Crocodile? was the first of two murder mystery novels written by Anthony & Peter Shaffer. It featured their eccentric detective Mr Verity who also appeared in their other novel Withered Murder....
(1952) – co-written with Peter Shaffer, published under the pseudonym "Peter Anthony" - Withered MurderWithered MurderWithered Murder is the second of the collaborations of Anthony and Peter Shaffer. It was first printed by Gollancz in London in 1955 and then reprinted a year later in New York by Macmillan as part of their 'Cock Robin Mystery' series of books....
(1955) – co-written with Peter Shaffer, published under the pseudonym "Peter Anthony" - Absolution (1979) – based on Shaffer's screenplay for the 1978 film
- The Wicker ManThe Wicker Man (novel)The Wicker Man is a novel written by Robin Hardy and Anthony Shaffer based on their original version of the cult horror film The Wicker Man....
(1979) – co-written with Robin Hardy, based on Shaffer's screenplay
Plays
- The Savage Parade (1963) – Later revised as This Savage Parade in 1987
- SleuthSleuth (play)Sleuth is a 1970 play written by Anthony Shaffer. The play is set in the Wiltshire, England manor house of Andrew Wyke, an immensely successful mystery writer. His home reflects Wyke's obsession with the inventions and deceptions of fiction and his fascination with games and game-playing...
(1970) - MurdererMurderer (play)Murderer is a 1975 comedy/thriller play written by Anthony Shaffer. Set in Dorset, England, the play tells the story of Norman Bartholomew, a painter who is obsessed with famous murderers of the past...
(1975) - WhodunnitWhodunnit (play)Whodunnit? is the title of a play written by Anthony Shaffer in 1977, originally called The Case Of The Oily Levantine.-Plot summary:Whodunnit? is a comedy / mystery play...
(1977) – Originally called The Case Of The Oily Levantine - Widow's WeedsWidow's weedsWidow's weeds can refer to:* Widow's Weeds , an album by the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania* Clothes worn by a widow during a period of mourning for her husband -...
(1986) – Originally called For Years I Couldn't Wear My Black. NOTE: World Premier in 1977 in Brisbane, Queensland by the Queensland Theatre Company - The Thing In The Wheelchair (2001)
Screenplays
- Mr. Forbush and the PenguinsMr. Forbush and the PenguinsMr. Forbush and the Penguins, also known as Cry of the Penguins, is a 1971 British film, directed by Arne Sucksdorff, Alfred Viola and Roy Boulting. It stars John Hurt, Hayley Mills, Dudley Sutton and Tony Britton.-Cast:...
(1971) – a.k.a. Cry of the Penguins - FrenzyFrenzyFrenzy is a 1972 British thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and is the penultimate feature film of his extensive career. The film is based upon the novel Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square by Arthur La Bern, and was adapted for the screen by Anthony Shaffer. La Bern...
(1972) - Sleuth (1972)
- The Wicker Man (1973)
- Murder on the Orient ExpressMurder on the Orient Express (1974 film)Murder on the Orient Express is a 1974 British mystery film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot, and based on the1934 novel Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.-Overview:...
(1974) – uncredited rewrite - Death on the NileDeath on the Nile (1978 film)Death on the Nile is a 1978 film based on the Agatha Christie mystery novel Death on the Nile, directed by John Guillermin. The film features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot played by Peter Ustinov plus an all-star cast. It takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River...
(1978) - Absolution (1978)
- Evil Under the SunEvil Under the Sun (1982 film)Evil Under the Sun is a 1982 British mystery film based on the 1941 novel Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie.-Production:The screenplay was written by Anthony Shaffer and an uncredited Barry Sandler...
(1982) - Appointment With DeathAppointment With Death (film)Appointment with Death is a 1988 mystery film, made by Golan-Globus Productions and produced and directed by Michael Winner. It is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel Appointment with Death featuring the detective Hercule Poirot...
(1988) – co-screenplay - SommersbySommersbySommersby is a 1993 romantic drama film directed by Jon Amiel and starring Richard Gere, Jodie Foster, Bill Pullman and James Earl Jones.Set in the Reconstruction period following the U.S...
(1993) – co-story
External links
- The Life & Work of Anthony Shaffer
- telegraph.co.uk
- Obituary in The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
(November 8, 2001) - nytimes.com