Descriptive Summary
Scope and Content of Collection
Biography
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
OFF-SITE STORAGE
Descriptive Summary
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Jonathan Latimer Miscellaneous Scripts and Screenplays
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0133
Physical Description:
0.6 Linear feet
(2 archives boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1940-1960
Abstract: Papers of Jonathan Latimer, journalist, screen writer and detective story author. Materials include a small collection of
story ideas, outlines, scripts and screenplays arranged alphabetically by title.
Scope and Content of Collection
Small collection of story ideas, outlines, scripts and screenplays. Arranged alphabetically by title.
Biography
Jonathan Latimer, journalist, screen writer and detective story author was born October 23, 1906 in Chicago, Illinois. He
attended the Mesa Ranch School in Arizona from 1922-1925 and later studied at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where he
graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1929. In the same year he began his career as a writer at the
Chicago Herald Examiner and later wrote for the
Chicago Tribune. Working as a police reporter and "rewrite man," Latimer covered stories in the gangster world through the early 1930s, and
met notorious crime figures including Al Capone.
After writing an article about Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, Latimer was hired as a ghost writer for the Department
of the Interior. During the time Latimer worked as a ghost writer for Ickes, he began the first of his series of mystery novels.
His first novel,
Murder in a Madhouse, became a 1935 best-seller and introduced Bill Crane, the hard-drinking detective and hero of five of Latimer's novels.
After serving in the U.S. Navy between 1942 and 1945, Latimer became a successful Hollywood screenwriter, producing scripts
for such movies as "Lady in the Morgue," "Topper Returns," and the "Glass Key," as well as ten films directed by John Farrow.
Latimer later wrote television scripts for forty-five episodes of the "Perry Mason" show, 1960-1965. Latimer also wrote ten
episodes for the "Markham" series and about twenty television specials.
Jonathan Latimer retired to La Jolla, California in 1973, where he died on June 23, 1983.
Publication Rights
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Preferred Citation
Jonathan Latimer Miscellaneous Scripts and Screenplays, MSS 133. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquisition Information
Acquired 1983
OFF-SITE STORAGE
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Detective and mystery stories
Detective and mystery television programs