Leonardo Bercovici (January 4, 1908, in Brooklyn, New York, USA – November 22, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, USA) was an American screenwriter, film director, and producer.
Blacklisting and aftermath
editBercovici was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted.[1] He was named by Edward Dmytryk and Richard Collins. On May 16, 1951, he swore he was not a member of the Communist Party, but invoked his fifth amendment right to incriminate himself when he was asked whether he had been a member in the past.[2] He moved to Europe and worked in the European film industry until about 1958, when it was announced he would write the Tyrone Power film Two Against Tomorrow, but Power's death ended the project.[3][4]
Personal life
editBercovici was the son of Joseph Bercovici, brother of Konrad Bercovici; thus, Leonardo was Konrad's nephew. Leonardo Bercovici first married Frances Ellis; she died in an apparent suicide on May 23, 1951, while Bercovici was being investigated for Communist activities.[5]
Bercovici married Swedish stage and film actress Märta Torén in June 1952;[6] she died in 1957. They had one daughter, Kristina.[7]
His son Eric Bercovici became a screenwriter and producer, as did Bercovici's grandson Luca Bercovici.[citation needed]
Selected credits
editFilm
edit| Title | Year | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| The Preacher's Wife | 1996 | Earlier screenplay The Bishop's Wife |
| Story of a Woman | 1970 | Director, Producer, Writer |
| Square of Violence | 1961 | Director, Producer, Writer |
| Under Ten Flags | 1960 | Screenplay - Originally uncredited |
| Torment of Love | 1956 | Director Writer |
| Monsoon | 1952 | Writer |
| Kiss the Blood off My Hands | 1948 | Writer |
| Portrait of Jennie | 1948 | Adaptation |
| The Lost Moment | 1947 | Writer |
| The Bishop's Wife | 1947 | Writer |
| Moss Rose | 1947 | Contributor to screenplay construction - uncredited |
| Chasing Danger | 1939 | Story |
| Racket Busters | 1938 | Original screenplay |
| Prison Train | 1938 | Story |
Television
edit| Title | Year | Episode | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Story | 1976 | "Payment Deferred" | Story |
| Ironside | 1975 | "A Matter of Life or Death | Story |
| Petrocelli | 1974 | "The Golden Cage | Story |
| The Streets of San Francisco | 1974 | "Cry Help!" | Story |
| Police Story | 1974 | "Fathers and Sons" | Story |
| TV de Vanguarda | 1955 | "O Momento Perdido" | Undetermined |
Theatre
edit| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle | 1941 | Written by | Based on Tristan by Thomas Mann)[8] |
| The Holmeses of Baker Street | 1936-1937 | Adapted by | |
| Substitute for Murder | 1935 | Written by |
References
edit- ^ "Leonardo Bercovici; Screenwriter Blacklisted During McCarthy Era". Los Angeles Times. 1995-11-23. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
- ^ Trussell, C.P. (1951-05-17). "3 Movie Witnesses Defy House Group: Writer, Actor and Secretary Refuse to Answer Questions on Any Past Red Ties". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ "Tender Comrades: A Backstory of the Hollywood Blacklist". www.screeningthepast.com. Retrieved 2020-01-14.
- ^ Pryor, Thomas M. (1958-03-18). "Schary Affirms Screen Project; Plans Return with Miss Lonelyhearts; Bercovici Due Back as Scenarist". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ "Death of Writer's Wife Studied". The New York Times. 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ "Marta Toren to Be Bride". The New York Times. 1952-06-11. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ "Marta Toren, Actress, Is Dead; Swedish Film and Stage Star, 30". The New York Times. 1957-02-20. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.
- ^ Atkinson, Brooks (1941-03-26). "The Play: Leonardo Bercovici's 'Gabrielle' Is Based on Thomas Mann's Short Story 'Tristan'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-01-13 – via Proquest Historical Newspapers.