Born in Bridgeport, Conneticut; educated at Yale University. He quit law practice for a writing career in films in the mid-1940s [RED RIVER (1948), THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR (1950)]. In the early 50s he dropped screenwriting to become a producer [TORCH SONG (1953), TRIAL (1955), SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME (1956), THE WINGS OF EAGLES (1957), among others] and production executive , but later returned to writing. Other notable writing credits (alone or in collaboration) include THE PRINCE OF THIEVES, I WALK ALONE and THEY LIVE BY NIGHT (all 1948), SCENE OF THE CRIME and EASY LIVING (both 1949), THE FURIES, BORN TO BE BAD and RIGHT CROSS (all 1950), BANNERLINE (1951), WESTWARD THE WOMEN, WHEN IN ROME and THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (all 1952), THE CROWDED SKY and BUTTERFIELD 8 (both 1960), BY LOVE POSSESSED (1961, as John Dennis) and TWO WEEKS IN ANOTHER TOWN (also 1961). Schnee was president of the Writers Guild of America, West (1961-62). His early death (at the age of 47) prevented him from becoming one of Hollywood's most famous names, although his abilities as a screenwriter had already been proved. His relatively small list of films is distinguished enough to make a thorough analysis of his work worthwhile, but since he had only just established himself as a producer when he died, it is as a screenwriter he is best remembered.  Writing (Screenplay) 1952: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL 1 nomination, 1 Award