Born in Hayti, MO. A former stage actor, he wrote for television before first tackling features in the late 1950s. Equally at ease with serious drama and taut action. Screenplays include THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS and THE ENEMY BELOW (both 1957), FROM HELL TO TEXAS (1958), THE HANGING TREE and ANATOMY OF A MURDER (both 1959), NORTH TO ALASKA (1960), ADVISE & CONSENT (1962), IN HARM'S WAY and VON RYAN'S EXPRESS (both 1965), HOTEL (1967, also produced), THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), and DEATH WISH (1974).  Nominated for Writing (Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) 1959: ANATOMY OF A MURDER 1 nomination