John Monk Saunders
Encyclopedia
John Monk Saunders was an American novelist, screenwriter and film director.
, Saunders received his education at Washington University in St. Louis
and then was a Rhodes Scholar. He later served in the Air Service
during World War I
as a flight instructor in Florida, but was never able to secure a posting to France, a disappointment that frustrated him for the remainder of his life.
His screenwriting credits include Wings
(1927), The Last Flight
(which he adapted from his own novel Single Lady), and The Conquest of the Air (1936), which he also directed. Wings (1927), was the first film to ever win a Best Picture Academy award on May 16, 1929. He won an Oscar for Best Story for the writing of The Dawn Patrol.
from 1928 to 1939, with whom he had a daughter, Susan.
home in March 1940.
Early life and career
Born in Hinckley, MinnesotaHinckley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,291 people, 551 households, and 332 families residing in the city. The population density was 454.3 people per square mile . There were 614 housing units at an average density of 216.0 per square mile...
, Saunders received his education at Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
and then was a Rhodes Scholar. He later served in the Air Service
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as a flight instructor in Florida, but was never able to secure a posting to France, a disappointment that frustrated him for the remainder of his life.
His screenwriting credits include Wings
Wings (film)
Wings is a silent film about World War I fighter pilots, produced by Lucien Hubbard, directed by William A. Wellman and released by Paramount Pictures. Wings was the first film, and the only silent film, to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Wings stars Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and...
(1927), The Last Flight
The Last Flight (film)
The Last Flight is a 1931 ensemble film starring Richard Barthelmess, David Manners, John Mack Brown, and Helen Chandler.-Plot:The film is known as a Lost Generation celebration of alcohol involving three young World War I veterans who opt to drink indefinitely and almost continuously in Paris with...
(which he adapted from his own novel Single Lady), and The Conquest of the Air (1936), which he also directed. Wings (1927), was the first film to ever win a Best Picture Academy award on May 16, 1929. He won an Oscar for Best Story for the writing of The Dawn Patrol.
Personal life
Saunders was married first to Avis Hughes from 1922 to 1927 then to the actress Fay WrayFay Wray
Fay Wray was a Canadian-American actress most noted for playing the female lead in King Kong...
from 1928 to 1939, with whom he had a daughter, Susan.
Death
After battling poor health, Saunders hanged himself at his Fort Myers, FloridaFort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
home in March 1940.