Born in New York City. Formerly an actor in repertory and summer stock, he bagan writing books and lyrics for musical plays and special material for radio and stage performers. He entered films in 1930 as a lyricist and in 1935 switched to screenwriting, specializing in light, comic scripts, often for Hope and Crosby and later Danny Kaye vehicles. From 1947, Hartman was also a producer and director. In 1951 he was put in charge of production at Paramount, a post he left to establish his own company in 1956. Notable non-nominated writing credits inlcude CHAMPAGNE WALTZ and WAIKIKI WEDDING (both 1937), TROPIC HOLIDAY (1938), PARIS HONEYMOON, NEVER SAY DIE and THE STAR MAKER (all 1939), ROAD TO SINGAPORE and THOSE WERE THE DAYS (both 1940), LIFE WITH HENRY, ROAD TO ZANZIBAR and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH (all 1941), MY FAVORITE BLONDE (1942), TRUE TO LIFE (1943), UP IN ARMS and THE PRINCESS AND THE PIRATE (both 1944, both also assoc. producer), WONDER MAN (1945), THE KID FROM BROOKLYN (1946), DOWN TO EARTH and IT HAD TO BE YOU (also director) (both 1947, both also assoc. producer), EVERY GIRL SHOULD BE MARRIED (1948, also assoc. producer & director) and MR. IMPERIUM (1951, also director). Producing credits include HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949, also director), THE MATCHMAKER and DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS (both 1958).  Nominated for Writing (Original Story) 1935: THE GAY DECEPTION (w. Stephen Morehouse Avery)  Nominated for Writing (Original Screenplay) 1942: ROAD TO MOROCCO (w. Frank Butler) 2 nominations