Charles Davies Lederer (December 31, 1910 – March 5, 1976) was an American film writer and director. He was born in New York City, and was the son of two prominent figures in the American theater – Broadway producer George Lederer and singer Reine Davies (sister of actress Marion Davies). He was married to Virginia Welles, former wife of actor-director Orson Welles. Lederer's second wife was actress Anne Shirley.
He was a child prodigy and was ad...
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Charles Davies Lederer (December 31, 1910 – March 5, 1976) was an American film writer and director. He was born in New York City, and was the son of two prominent figures in the American theater – Broadway producer George Lederer and singer Reine Davies (sister of actress Marion Davies). He was married to Virginia Welles, former wife of actor-director Orson Welles. Lederer's second wife was actress Anne Shirley.
He was a child prodigy and was admitted to UC Berkeley at the age of thirteen, but dropped out a few years later to work as a journalist for Hearst newspapers. When he was nineteen, he became friends with Ben Hecht, who introduced him to the New York literati. His friendship with Hecht led to his being hired to write additional dialogue for the film The Front Page. He later moved back to Hollywood to become a full-time screenwriter.
Lederer is recognized for his acerbic adaptations and collaborative screenplays of the 1940s and early 1950s. His screenplays frequently delved...
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