George Clayton Johnson
Encyclopedia
George Clayton Johnson is an American science fiction
writer most famous for co-writing the novel Logan's Run
with William F. Nolan
(basis for the 1976 film). He is also known for his work in television
, writing screenplays for such noted series as The Twilight Zone
, such as "Nothing in the Dark", "Kick the Can", "A Game of Pool and "A Penny for Your Thoughts
", and Star Trek
, the first aired episode of the series, "The Man Trap". He also wrote the story on which the 1960 and 2001 films Ocean's Eleven were based. He was proprietor of Cafe Frankenstein
. His works, including Logan's Run
, are currently represented on his behalf by WBMT Literary, Film and Television.
, enrolled at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
) under the G.I. Bill, quit to return to his travels around the U.S.A., working as an draftsman, before deciding he wanted to become a writer.
In 1960 the first story Johnson ever wrote served as the basis for the Rat Pack
movie Ocean's Eleven
, although most of the details were changed for the film. He joined a circle of Southern California
science-fiction writers that included Theodore Sturgeon
, William F. Nolan
, Charles Beaumont
, Richard Matheson
and Ray Bradbury
. Through them he met Rod Serling
, to whom he sold his first story ("All of Us Are Dying", produced as "The Four of Us Are Dying
") and, later, his first teleplay ("A Penny for Your Thoughts
").
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
writer most famous for co-writing the novel Logan's Run
Logan's Run
Logan's Run is a novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson. Published in 1967, it depicts a dystopic ageist future society in which both population and the consumption of resources are maintained in equilibrium by requiring the death of everyone reaching a particular age...
with William F. Nolan
William F. Nolan
William Francis Nolan is an American author, who wrote stories in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. He is best known for coauthoring the novel Logan's Run, with George Clayton Johnson. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1976 horror film Burnt Offerings which starred Karen Black and...
(basis for the 1976 film). He is also known for his work in television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, writing screenplays for such noted series as The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
, such as "Nothing in the Dark", "Kick the Can", "A Game of Pool and "A Penny for Your Thoughts
A Penny for Your Thoughts
"A Penny for Your Thoughts" is an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Hector B. Poole, a timid bank clerk, gains telepathic powers after tossing a coin that miraculously stands on its edge...
", and Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
, the first aired episode of the series, "The Man Trap". He also wrote the story on which the 1960 and 2001 films Ocean's Eleven were based. He was proprietor of Cafe Frankenstein
Cafe Frankenstein
The Café Frankenstein was a coffee house in Laguna Beach, California, USA.From 1958-62, the Café Frankenstein was seen as sort of a "den of iniquity" amongst the semi-conservative Orange County, California art community of Laguna Beach...
. His works, including Logan's Run
Logan's Run
Logan's Run is a novel by William F. Nolan and George Clayton Johnson. Published in 1967, it depicts a dystopic ageist future society in which both population and the consumption of resources are maintained in equilibrium by requiring the death of everyone reaching a particular age...
, are currently represented on his behalf by WBMT Literary, Film and Television.
Biography
Born in a barn, he had to repeat the sixth grade and dropped out of school entirely in the eighth. He briefly served as a telegraph operator then draftsman in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, enrolled at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
) under the G.I. Bill, quit to return to his travels around the U.S.A., working as an draftsman, before deciding he wanted to become a writer.
In 1960 the first story Johnson ever wrote served as the basis for the Rat Pack
Rat Pack
The Rat Pack was a group of actors originally centered on Humphrey Bogart. In the mid-1960s it was the name used by the press and the general public to refer to a later variation of the group, after Bogart's death, that called itself "the summit" or "the clan," featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean...
movie Ocean's Eleven
Ocean's Eleven (1960 film)
Ocean's 11 is a 1960 heist film directed by Lewis Milestone and starring five Rat Packers: Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Joey Bishop....
, although most of the details were changed for the film. He joined a circle of Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
science-fiction writers that included Theodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeon
Theodore Sturgeon was an American science fiction author.His most famous novel is More Than Human .-Biography:...
, William F. Nolan
William F. Nolan
William Francis Nolan is an American author, who wrote stories in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. He is best known for coauthoring the novel Logan's Run, with George Clayton Johnson. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1976 horror film Burnt Offerings which starred Karen Black and...
, Charles Beaumont
Charles Beaumont
Charles Beaumont was a prolific American author of speculative fiction, including short stories in the horror and science fiction subgenres. He is remembered as a writer of classic Twilight Zone episodes, such as "The Howling Man", "Miniature", and "Printer's Devil", but also penned the...
, Richard Matheson
Richard Matheson
Richard Burton Matheson is an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is perhaps best known as the author of What Dreams May Come, Bid Time Return, A Stir of Echoes, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and I Am Legend, all of which have been...
and Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
. Through them he met Rod Serling
Rod Serling
Rodman Edward "Rod" Serling was an American screenwriter, novelist, television producer, and narrator best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his science fiction anthology TV series, The Twilight Zone. Serling was active in politics, both on and off the screen and helped form...
, to whom he sold his first story ("All of Us Are Dying", produced as "The Four of Us Are Dying
The Four of Us Are Dying
"The Four of Us Are Dying" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone. It originally aired on CBS on January 1, 1960.-Synopsis:...
") and, later, his first teleplay ("A Penny for Your Thoughts
A Penny for Your Thoughts
"A Penny for Your Thoughts" is an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Hector B. Poole, a timid bank clerk, gains telepathic powers after tossing a coin that miraculously stands on its edge...
").
Twilight Zone episodes
George Clayton Johnson wrote the following stories for The Twilight Zone series:- The Four of Us Are Dying (1960) (story)
- Execution (1960) (story)
- The Prime Mover (inadvertently credited solely to Charles BeaumontCharles BeaumontCharles Beaumont was a prolific American author of speculative fiction, including short stories in the horror and science fiction subgenres. He is remembered as a writer of classic Twilight Zone episodes, such as "The Howling Man", "Miniature", and "Printer's Devil", but also penned the...
) - A Penny for Your Thoughts (1961) (teleplay)
- A Game of Pool (1961) (teleplay)
- Nothing in the Dark (1962) (teleplay)
- Kick the Can (1962, also featured in the 1983 movie The Twilight Zone: The Movie) (teleplay)
- Ninety Years Without Slumbering (1963) (story, as Johnson Smith)