Eleanor Perry
Encyclopedia
Eleanor Perry was an American writer
known primarily for her screenplays.
Born Eleanor Irene Rosenfeld in Cleveland, Ohio
, she attended Western Reserve University, where she wrote for the college's literary magazine. Together with her first husband, attorney Leo G. Bayer, she wrote a series of suspense novels, including Paper Chase (1942), which she adapted for the screen under the title Dangerous Partners in 1945. After earning a Masters degree in psychiatric social work, she began to write plays, enjoying Broadway
success in 1958 with Third Best Sport, a collaboration with her husband. The two were divorced shortly after.
In 1960, she married aspiring film director
Frank Perry
, with whom she formed a long-lasting professional partnership. Their first film, the low-budget David and Lisa
, for which she drew upon her psychiatric background, earned the couple Academy Award nominations for writing and direction. In 1966, she and Truman Capote
adapted his novella, A Christmas Memory
, for the anthology series ABC Stage 67
, which earned her the first of two Emmy Awards. (The second was for The House Without a Christmas Tree
in 1972).
Following her divorce from Frank in 1971, Eleanor struggled to find work in the film industry. She incorporated many of the problems she faced as a female screenwriter in Hollywood into her 1979 novel, Blue Pages
. In 1972, she was head of the jury at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival
.
In 1977, she was among the first wave of honorees of the Women in Film Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.
Her son, William Bayer
, is a successful crime fiction writer.
On March 14, 1981, she succumbed to cancer
in New York City
. Seventeen years after her death, she received screen credit yet again when her original screenplay of David and Lisa was refilmed for television.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
known primarily for her screenplays.
Born Eleanor Irene Rosenfeld in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, she attended Western Reserve University, where she wrote for the college's literary magazine. Together with her first husband, attorney Leo G. Bayer, she wrote a series of suspense novels, including Paper Chase (1942), which she adapted for the screen under the title Dangerous Partners in 1945. After earning a Masters degree in psychiatric social work, she began to write plays, enjoying Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
success in 1958 with Third Best Sport, a collaboration with her husband. The two were divorced shortly after.
In 1960, she married aspiring film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Frank Perry
Frank Perry
Frank J. Perry, Jr. was an American stage and film director, producer and screenwriter. His directorial debut, the 1962 film David and Lisa, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director....
, with whom she formed a long-lasting professional partnership. Their first film, the low-budget David and Lisa
David and Lisa
David and Lisa is a small independent film directed by Frank Perry, often cited as one of his best works. Based on the novel by Theodore Isaac Rubin, the screenplay, written by Frank Perry's wife Eleanor, tells the story of a bright young man suffering from a severe case of obsessive-compulsive...
, for which she drew upon her psychiatric background, earned the couple Academy Award nominations for writing and direction. In 1966, she and Truman Capote
Truman Capote
Truman Streckfus Persons , known as Truman Capote , was an American author, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and nonfiction are recognized literary classics, including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany's and the true crime novel In Cold Blood , which he labeled a "nonfiction novel." At...
adapted his novella, A Christmas Memory
A Christmas Memory
"A Christmas Memory" is a short story by Truman Capote. Originally published in Mademoiselle magazine in December 1956, it was reprinted in The Selected Writings of Truman Capote in 1963...
, for the anthology series ABC Stage 67
ABC Stage 67
ABC Stage 67 was the umbrella title for a series of 26 weekly shows that included dramas, variety shows, documentaries, and original musicals....
, which earned her the first of two Emmy Awards. (The second was for The House Without a Christmas Tree
The House Without a Christmas Tree
The House Without a Christmas Tree is a 1972 television movie, based on a children's book by Gail Rock, that centers on the relationship between Addie Mills , a bright and energetic only child, and her melancholy father, James Mills...
in 1972).
Following her divorce from Frank in 1971, Eleanor struggled to find work in the film industry. She incorporated many of the problems she faced as a female screenwriter in Hollywood into her 1979 novel, Blue Pages
Blue pages
Blue pages was a telephone directory listing of government agencies and other official entities, along with specific offices, departments, or bureaus located wherein. They are now defunct and no longer supported by the federal government...
. In 1972, she was head of the jury at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival
22nd Berlin International Film Festival
The 22nd annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from 23 June to 4 July 1972.-Jury:* Eleanor Perry * Fritz Drobilitsch-Walden* Francis Cosne* Rita Tushingham* Tinto Brass* Yukichi Shinada* Julio Coll* Hans Hellmut Kirst...
.
In 1977, she was among the first wave of honorees of the Women in Film Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry.
Her son, William Bayer
William Bayer
William Bayer is an American novelist, the author of Switch, among other works. Bayer has written a series of novels featuring fictional New York Police Department lieutenant Frank Janek. He has also written adaptions of his novels for television, and written for other TV shows...
, is a successful crime fiction writer.
On March 14, 1981, she succumbed to cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Seventeen years after her death, she received screen credit yet again when her original screenplay of David and Lisa was refilmed for television.
Screenplays
- The Man Who Loved Cat DancingThe Man Who Loved Cat DancingThe Man Who Loved Cat Dancing is a novel written by Marilyn Durham first published in 1972.-Plot:The novel is set in the American West in the 1880s, but is not written in a genre style. It is the story of Jay, a man of the West, and his offbeat relationship with Catherine, a woman from the East who...
(1973) - The Deadly TrapThe Deadly TrapThe Deadly Trap is a 1971 French drama film directed by René Clément. It was screened at the 1971 Cannes Film Festival, but wasn't entered into the main competition.-Cast:* Faye Dunaway - Jill* Frank Langella - Philippe* Barbara Parkins - Cynthia...
(1971) - Diary of a Mad HousewifeDiary of a Mad HousewifeDiary of a Mad Housewife is a 1967 novel that was adapted into 1970 drama film about a frustrated wife, portrayed by Carrie Snodgress, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe award in the same category. The film was adapted by Eleanor Perry from the 1967...
(1970) - The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (1970)
- TrilogyTrilogy (film)Trilogy is a 1969 drama film directed by Frank Perry. It was listed to compete at the 1968 Cannes Film Festival, but the festival was cancelled due to the events of May 1968 in France.-Cast:...
(1969) - Last SummerLast SummerLast Summer is a 1969 coming-of-age movie about adolescent sexuality. Director Frank Perry filmed at Fire Island locations: the stars of the film are Catherine Burns, Barbara Hershey, Bruce Davison and Richard Thomas. The memorable performance by Burns brought her an Academy Award nomination for...
(1969) - The SwimmerThe Swimmer (film)The Swimmer is a 1968 American film directed by Frank Perry and starring Burt Lancaster. The surreal, allegorical tale is based on the 1964 short story by John Cheever, adapted by Eleanor Perry, the director's wife...
(1968) - Ladybug LadybugLadybug Ladybug (film)Ladybug Ladybug is a 1963 American motion picture, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Frank Perry. The film is a commentary about the psychological effects of the Cold War, the title deriving from the classic nursery rhyme...
(1963) - David and LisaDavid and LisaDavid and Lisa is a small independent film directed by Frank Perry, often cited as one of his best works. Based on the novel by Theodore Isaac Rubin, the screenplay, written by Frank Perry's wife Eleanor, tells the story of a bright young man suffering from a severe case of obsessive-compulsive...
(1961) - Dangerous Partners (1945)
Teleplays
- Oprah Winfrey Presents: David and Lisa (1998)
- The Thanksgiving Treasure (1973)
- The House Without a Christmas TreeThe House Without a Christmas TreeThe House Without a Christmas Tree is a 1972 television movie, based on a children's book by Gail Rock, that centers on the relationship between Addie Mills , a bright and energetic only child, and her melancholy father, James Mills...
(1972) - The Thanksgiving VisitorThe Thanksgiving Visitor"The Thanksgiving Visitor" is a short story by Truman Capote originally published in the November 1967 issue of McCall's magazine, and later published as a book by Random House, Inc. in 1968. The story takes the form of a childhood tale about a boy and his bully problem. The story has a strong...
(1967) - A Christmas MemoryA Christmas Memory"A Christmas Memory" is a short story by Truman Capote. Originally published in Mademoiselle magazine in December 1956, it was reprinted in The Selected Writings of Truman Capote in 1963...
for ABC Stage 67ABC Stage 67ABC Stage 67 was the umbrella title for a series of 26 weekly shows that included dramas, variety shows, documentaries, and original musicals....
(1966)