Born in Louisville, KY. Smart, capable scenarist who left a career in law after winning a playwrighting contest. Often worked in collaboration and particularly skilled with adaptations, such as FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) (for which he won an Academy Award), PICNIC (1955), BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE (1958), HAWAII (1966), DOCTORS' WIVES (1971) and THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT (1977). In 1956, he made an unsuccessful stab at directing with STORM CENTER. He served as president of the Writers Guild of America/West 1977 - 1979.  Writing (Screenplay) 1953: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY 1 nomination, 1 Award