Ben Hecht

Description

In this program, we present to you one of America’s great Jewish literary figures. Ben Hecht (1893-1964) was an American journalist, author, screen writer, playwright and director. He was born in New York City to an immigrant couple. He lived in Racine, Wisconsin, graduated at 17 and at 21 began his multifaceted literary career. His first novel was written in 1921, first play in 1922 and we went Hollywood in 1926. In the 1940s he actively supported the Allies, became an active Zionist and helper of Holocaust refugees. In his career, he wrote 123 screenplays, 23 books, 14 stage plays and directed five of those.