Jack Lewis (screenwriter)
Encyclopedia
Lt. Colonel Jack Lewis or C. Jack Lewis USMC retired (November 13, 1924 – May 24, 2009), was a former Marine, screenwriter, author of 12 books and an estimated 6,000 magazine articles and short stories, He was the co-founder and editor of Gun World magazine and continued contributing articles to that publication until the time of his death. Lewis wrote under the name C. Jack Lewis due to four other writers with the name of Jack Lewis.
screenplay that was rejected by MGM. He did not sell any more stories until he was 22.
Lewis recalled being lost as a child in a Department Store and being found by two Marines in dress blues. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
at 18 years of age in World War II and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1945.
After the war, Lewis attended the University of Iowa
where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. After obtaining the degree, Lewis reentered the Marine Corps through the Marine Corps Reserve. He worked on a Marine training film
then was assigned as a technical advisor
to the film Sands of Iwo Jima
where Lewis said he advised the cast how to lace up their leggings
.
.
With the start of the Korean War, Lewis returned to active duty for six years in the Corps. He served as a Combat Correspondent and Photographer, where he earned the Bronze Star
during his second Korean tour, filming Marine aircraft bombing enemy positions. During the Korean War, Lewis had his first experience with the M1 carbine
. He fired eight rounds at an enemy soldier before a Marine with a Thompson submachine gun
felled the soldier. Lewis discovered that six of his rounds had hit his target with no effect; Lewis began to carry a Thompson.
Lewis submitted over two dozen magazine articles to Marine Corps Headquarters about the exploits of the Marines in Korea. Headquarters sent them back saying that they sounded too much like Marine propaganda; Lewis sent them to his civilian literary agent who had them published with a payment for Lewis of $200 each. Lewis sent copies of the published articles to the Headquarters person who had rejected them.
After Korea, Captain Lewis served as a Company Commander in the 4th Marines at Camp Pendleton, then was transferred to Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay as a Public Information Officer
. During his Hawaiian tour, Lewis was assigned as one of the technical advisor
s to John Ford
's Mister Roberts. When no one could find a stunt performer
to drive a motorcycle
off a pier
, Lewis did the job himself. Lewis appeared in Ford's film Sergeant Rutledge
.
Dean Grennell
to publish Gun World magazine in 1959. Lewis authored the monthly knife column in Gun World until his death.
Lewis's writing on the capabilities of various weapons as well as his photos of "exotic" (military and law enforcement) weapons led several major firearms manufacturers to not advertise in Gun World. Lewis told the then Commandant of the Marine Corps
Paul X. Kelley
that the M-16 rifle's effect was that "The United States used to be known as a Nation of Riflemen now we've become a Nation of Sprayers".
Lewis's continued contact with the Marine Corps led him to-
In addition to non fiction, Lewis wrote "Charlie Cougar" mysteries and Westerns as well as White Horse, Black Hat - A Quarter Century on Hollywood's Poverty Row, his memoirs of Hollywood.
Jack Lewis died on May 24, 2009 after a short bout with cancer.
Jack Lewis's books
Biography
Lewis was born in Iowa. He sold his first short story The Cherokee Kid's Last Stand at the age of 14 for $5.00 that Lewis thought was better money than a field hands wage that was then a dollar a day. Buoyed by his success Lewis submitted an unsolicited Andy HardyAndy Hardy
Andy Hardy was a fictional character played by Mickey Rooney in an MGM film series from 1937 to 1958. Spanning over 20 years, the 16 movies were based on characters in the play Skidding by Aurania Rouverol....
screenplay that was rejected by MGM. He did not sell any more stories until he was 22.
Lewis recalled being lost as a child in a Department Store and being found by two Marines in dress blues. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
at 18 years of age in World War II and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1945.
After the war, Lewis attended the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. After obtaining the degree, Lewis reentered the Marine Corps through the Marine Corps Reserve. He worked on a Marine training film
Training film
A training film is a form of educational film – a short subject documentary movie, that provides an introduction to a topic. Both narrative documentary and dramatisation styles may be used, sometimes both in the same production...
then was assigned as a technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
to the film Sands of Iwo Jima
Sands of Iwo Jima
Sands of Iwo Jima is a 1949 war film that follows a group of United States Marines from training to the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. It stars John Wayne, John Agar, Adele Mara and Forrest Tucker. The movie was written by Harry Brown and James Edward Grant and directed by Allan Dwan...
where Lewis said he advised the cast how to lace up their leggings
Leggings
Leggings are a type of fitted clothing covering the legs, which can be worn by both men and women.Originally leggings were two separate garments, one for each leg....
.
Screenwriting
Lewis began his screenwriting career in 1950 with several Westerns, including the Lash LaRue feature King of the Bullwhip for Ron OrmondRon Ormond
Ron Ormond was an American author, showman, screenwriter, film producer, and film director of Western, musical, and exploitation films. Following his survival of a 1968 plane crash, Ormond began making Christian films.-Films:...
.
With the start of the Korean War, Lewis returned to active duty for six years in the Corps. He served as a Combat Correspondent and Photographer, where he earned the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
during his second Korean tour, filming Marine aircraft bombing enemy positions. During the Korean War, Lewis had his first experience with the M1 carbine
M1 Carbine
The M1 carbine is a lightweight, easy to use semi-automatic carbine that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and was produced in several variants. It was widely used by U.S...
. He fired eight rounds at an enemy soldier before a Marine with a Thompson submachine gun
Thompson submachine gun
The Thompson is an American submachine gun, invented by John T. Thompson in 1919, that became infamous during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight in the media of the time, being used by both law enforcement officers and criminals...
felled the soldier. Lewis discovered that six of his rounds had hit his target with no effect; Lewis began to carry a Thompson.
Lewis submitted over two dozen magazine articles to Marine Corps Headquarters about the exploits of the Marines in Korea. Headquarters sent them back saying that they sounded too much like Marine propaganda; Lewis sent them to his civilian literary agent who had them published with a payment for Lewis of $200 each. Lewis sent copies of the published articles to the Headquarters person who had rejected them.
After Korea, Captain Lewis served as a Company Commander in the 4th Marines at Camp Pendleton, then was transferred to Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay as a Public Information Officer
Public information officer
Public Information Officers are the communications coordinators or spokespersons of certain governmental organizations . They differ from public relations departments of private organizations in that marketing plays a more limited role...
. During his Hawaiian tour, Lewis was assigned as one of the technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
s to John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
's Mister Roberts. When no one could find a stunt performer
Stunt performer
A stuntman, or daredevil is someone who performs dangerous stunts, often as a career.These stunts are sometimes rigged so that they look dangerous while still having safety mechanisms, but often they are as dangerous as they appear to be...
to drive a motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
off a pier
Pier
A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...
, Lewis did the job himself. Lewis appeared in Ford's film Sergeant Rutledge
Sergeant Rutledge
Sergeant Rutledge is a 1960 Western and military courtroom drama starring Woody Strode and Jeffrey Hunter. It was directed by John Ford and shot on location in Monument Valley, Utah....
.
Journalism
Though Lewis's Commanding Officer offered to get him a Regular Commission, Lewis wished to become a full time writer and left the Corps. In addition to his screenplays, film work, and story writing, Lewis became an editor of a magazine and after three years of observing the process teamed up with that magazine's art directorArt director
The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
Dean Grennell
Dean Grennell
Dean A. Grennell was an American firearms expert, a writer/editor, and active science fiction fan. He was the managing editor of Gun World magazine and editor of the science fiction fanzine Grue....
to publish Gun World magazine in 1959. Lewis authored the monthly knife column in Gun World until his death.
Lewis's writing on the capabilities of various weapons as well as his photos of "exotic" (military and law enforcement) weapons led several major firearms manufacturers to not advertise in Gun World. Lewis told the then Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
Paul X. Kelley
Paul X. Kelley
General Paul Xavier Kelley was the twenty-eighth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1987....
that the M-16 rifle's effect was that "The United States used to be known as a Nation of Riflemen now we've become a Nation of Sprayers".
Lewis's continued contact with the Marine Corps led him to-
- Writing the screenplay to Marshall ThompsonMarshall ThompsonMarshall Thompson was an American film and television actor.He was born James Marshall Thompson in Peoria, Illinois. In 1943 Thompson, known for his boy-next-door good looks, was signed by Universal Pictures...
's film A Yank in Viet-NamA Yank in Viet-NamA Yank in Viet-Nam is a 1964 war drama film. It was filmed entirely in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.The film follows a U.S. Marine Corps pilot who is shot down over the Vietnamese jungle...
that was filmed on location in South Vietnam in 1963. - Having his first novel Tell it to the Marines published in 1966.
- Returning to active duty in the Corps in 1969 with III Marine Amphibious Corps in the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Lewis earned his second and third Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
s during his Vietnam tour. Lewis retired from the Marine Corps Reserve one day before his 60th birthday, November 12, 1984.
In addition to non fiction, Lewis wrote "Charlie Cougar" mysteries and Westerns as well as White Horse, Black Hat - A Quarter Century on Hollywood's Poverty Row, his memoirs of Hollywood.
Jack Lewis died on May 24, 2009 after a short bout with cancer.
Quote
"I've been told that I'm not smart enough to realize I can't tilt windmills and win, but tenacity has a life and a way all its own, I've found. If one approach to a problem doesn't work, figure out how to go around it"External links
Jack Lewis at IMDB- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0507289/
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0507290/
Jack Lewis's books
- http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/search-handle-url?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-ca&field-author=Jack%20Lewis
- http://www.avalonbooks.com/catalog/series/Lewis_DoubleCross.html
- Obituary