Eleazar Lipsky
Encyclopedia
Eleazar Lipsky was a prosecutor
, lawyer
, novelist and playwright
born in the Bronx, New York
, USA. He wrote the novels that formed the basis of two very successful films, Kiss of Death
(based on a 100-page manuscript) and The People Against O'Hara
(based on his detective novel). Other novels include Lincoln McKeever (1953), The Devil's Daughter (1969) and The Scientists (1959), a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.
Lipsky, who practiced law until three weeks before his death, was an assistant district attorney
for Manhattan
in the 1940s and later had a diversified law practice in Manhattan and served as legal counsel to the Mystery Writers of America
. Lipsky was active in many Jewish organizations.
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
, lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, novelist and playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
born in the Bronx, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA. He wrote the novels that formed the basis of two very successful films, Kiss of Death
Kiss of Death (1947 film)
Kiss of Death is a 1947 film noir movie directed by Henry Hathaway and written by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer from a story by Eleazar Lipsky. The story revolves around the film's protagonist, a former robber, and the antagonist, the ruthless, violent Tommy Udo...
(based on a 100-page manuscript) and The People Against O'Hara
The People Against O'Hara
The People Against O'Hara is a 1951 film noir based on Eleazar Lipsky's novel. The movie stars Spencer Tracy, Pat O'Brien, and James Arness, and is directed by John Sturges, who also directed the The Great Escape.- Plot :...
(based on his detective novel). Other novels include Lincoln McKeever (1953), The Devil's Daughter (1969) and The Scientists (1959), a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.
Lipsky, who practiced law until three weeks before his death, was an assistant district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
for Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
in the 1940s and later had a diversified law practice in Manhattan and served as legal counsel to 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....
. Lipsky was active in many Jewish organizations.