Lewton, Val

Motion picture producer, screenwriter, and novelist. Born 1904; died 1951.

From the description of Papers of Val Lewton, 1924-1982 (bulk 1926-1951). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81163531

Motion picture producer, screenwriter, and novelist; b. 1904; d. 1951.

From the description of Papers, 1924-1982 (bulk 1926-1951). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 34149522

Biographical Note

• 1904, May 7: Born Vladimir Ivan Leventon, Yalta, Russia
• 1909: Mother, Nina Leventon, and children (Val and Lucy) emigrated to America and took anglicized name of Lewton; Nina Lewton employed by her sister, actress Nazimova
• circa 1922: Columbia School of Journalism, New York, N.Y.
• 1923: Privately published first book of poetry, Panther Skin and Grapes. Poynton Press
• 1928: Married Ruth Knapp
• 1928 - 1932 : Publicity writer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, under the supervision of Howard Dietz
• 1932: Published No Bed of Her Own. New York: Vanguard Press Contracted with Vanguard Press for five novels per year
• 1933: Wrote script for Taras Bulba for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story editor, David O. Selznick unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
• 1942 - 1946 : Head of horror unit, RKO Radio Pictures
• 1942: Produced Cat People (motion picture)
• 1946: Produced Bedlam (motion picture)
• 1947: Contract with Paramount Pictures
• 1948: Hired by Louis B. Mayer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
• 1951: Produced Apache Drums (motion picture), Universal-International
• 1951, Mar. 14: Died, Hollywood, Calif.

From the guide to the Val Lewton Papers, 1924-1982, (bulk 1926-1951), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)