Born in Manchester, England. A prolific and versatile writer, he began reviewing films for London daily newspapers in 1936 and subsequently authored plays, opera librettos, poetry, and books and lyrics for stage musicals. He shared an Oscar for his very first work in film, as co-author (with James Bernard) of the original story of SEVEN DAYS TO NOON (1950). Later wrote many screenplays, alone and in collaboration, as well as lyrics to screen songs (MOULIN ROUGE, 1952; I AM A CAMERA, 1955; and THE INNOCENTS, 1961), and in 1958 won the British Film Academy Award for the script of ORDERS TO KILL (1958). Some of his notable (non-nominated) credits (alone or in collaboration) include GOLDFINGER (1964), THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD (1965), THE DEADLY AFFAIR (1966), THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (both 1967), BENEATHE THE PLANET OF THE APES (1970), ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES (1971), CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972) and BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (1973).  Writing (Motion Picture Story) 1951: SEVEN DAYS TO NOON (w. James Bernard)  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Adapted from Other Material) 1974: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS 2 nominations, 1 Award