Sheldon Sidney - American writer and screenwriter: biography, creativity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Future writer Sheldon Sidney was born in Chicago in 1917, the son of a Jewish jeweler. Interestingly, his grandparents were from the Russian Empire, from where they immigrated shortly before the birth of their grandson, fearing Jewish pogroms.

Writing Career

Sheldon Sidney dreamed of becoming a writer from early childhood. His first poems were published in a local newspaper when the boy was only 10 years old. From the late thirties he worked in Hollywood, where he wrote numerous scripts for low-budget films.

These were films not designed for great popularity. Often such films were shown as the second number in the then popular double screenings, when films A and B were in a row. Here Sheldon Sidney worked in his favorite detective genre.

Work on Broadway and TV shows

With the start of the war in Europe, the aviation unit becomes the new place where Sidney Sheldon ends up. The books he dreamed of were shelved for later. However, he never managed to be in battle. In 1941, its unit was disbanded. After military service, the screenwriter goes to New York. Here he successfully writes forproductions on Broadway. At the same time, his scripts are bought by major film studios.

In 1963, he arranged with actress Patty Duke to write the script for every episode of her show. During the three seasons that this program was on, Sheldon became very popular. In addition, he wrote for well-known sitcoms. His last work on television was the scripts for several episodes of the film The Hart Spouses. It was his favorite detective genre, where a rich married couple is engaged in criminal investigations as a hobby.

Literary success

However, real worldwide fame came after Sheldon published his first novel. Most of them became bestsellers due to the twisted plot and the talent of the writer. Movies based on Sidney Sheldon's novels were successful in theaters. To date, twenty-five of them have been filmed. For his services to American cinema, the writer received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His name thundered not only in his native States, but throughout the world. The author's books have been translated into more than five dozen languages. Books such as The Other Side of Midnight and Nothing Lasts are especially frequently reprinted. Sidney Sheldon is known as a very prolific author. He wrote 19 books, each of which was published every 2-3 years.

Tear off the mask

The former screenwriter's first novel was released in 1970 and was called "Tear Off the Mask" (in the original "The Naked Face" - "Naked Face"). In the center of the plot is a psychoanalystnamed Judd Stevens. One of the patients of his clinic is found dead, and the doctor is suspected of murder. However, he is not guilty and is trying to prove his innocence by conducting his own investigation. In the end, he has to do it while hiding from both the police and the mysterious hitman.

In 1984, a film adaptation of the detective was released. In Russia, it is also known under a different name - "Face without a mask." The main role was played by Roger Moore, previously known for his role as secret agent James Bond.

Reverse side of midnight

This is Sheldon's most commercially successful novel. It was released in 1973 and cemented the success of the author's debut book. The New York Times placed The Other Side of Midnight at number one on its bestseller list for 52 consecutive weeks after publication. The book was filmed in 1977.

From the pages of the work, the reader learns about the fate of the love triangle, in which two women and a pilot are involved. The story develops over 8 years and covers the era of World War II.

Stranger in the mirror

In 1976, the reading public enthusiastically met the third novel of the writer - "The Stranger in the Mirror". It was a tale set in the world of acting, centered on the popular comedian Toby, who has made a career out of making people laugh.

However, over time, he becomes arrogant and uncontrollable. His character changes dramatically after a tragic stroke, whennext to him remains only the actress Jill. The story of a despot faced with real feelings made the writer a recognized master of romance, whereas before that he was known only for his detective stories.

Wrath of Angels

This novel, published in 1980, has two common Russian titles given by different translators. These are the "Rage of the Angels" and "The Wrath of the Angels". Sydney Sheldon again twists the plot around the young heroine. Now it's Jennifer Parker's lawyer. Her brilliant career is developing against the backdrop of the same personal life. She has two lovers whose lives are radically different from each other. One is a promising politician. The other is an influential mafioso. This triangle sets up a poignant plot that will keep you hooked even for a second.

The success of the paper edition allowed in 1983 to shoot the film "The Wrath of Angels". Sidney Sheldon was the author of the script for the adaptation of his work on the big screen. However, the story told on screen is not very different from the book version. The main role was played by the famous actress Jacqueline Smith, known for the series "Charlie's Angels".

Three years later, a remake of the tape was released, the script for which was also written by an eminent author.

The Sands of Time

This bestseller hit store shelves in 1988. It must be mentioned when considering films based on Sidney Sheldon's novels. The film adaptation was made in the United States four years later in a two-part format. It starred actresses Amanda Palmer andDeborah Ruffin.

The plot takes the reader (or viewer) to Spain. At this time, the country is shaken by the attacks of radicals from the ETA party, demanding independence for the autonomous region of the Basque country. When the army manages to get on the trail of the criminals, a chase begins that leads the soldiers to the nunnery. The attendants are evacuated, but four of them run away to the mountains, taking with them a local relic - an ancient cross made of gold.

Where women stumble upon those same Basque separatists. The group agrees to move forward together. They want to get to the next monastery, where they will finally have a shelter. The squad is divided into several companies, each of which goes its own way so as not to attract the attention of the police. Everything is going well, but soon the conflicts between fellow travelers develop into an open quarrel. In addition, they cannot share the precious crucifix, which can be sold at a profit.

In the end, one of the fugitives named Megan falls in love with the leader of the separatists, Jaime. She manages to escape to the USA, where her relatives left her a large inheritance. She becomes an entrepreneur, but a few years later she learns that her longtime Spaniard lover fell into the hands of the authorities and will soon be executed. The woman goes to Europe. She manages to bribe the prison staff, and she and her fiancé flee back to the States.

So ends the novel "The Sands of Time". Sidney Sheldon thought it was one of his best works.

Shattered Dreams

Schizophrenia is a topic thattouches on the novel "Shattered Dreams". Sidney Sheldon published the book in 1998 in the wake of his own success after previous works. His character Ashley Petterson has two girlfriends who are actually part of her imagination.

The girl has a closed character. She is a complete introvert and workaholic, spending all her free time at work. Her "girlfriends" show up at her work. Their communication is not set due to the fact that two strangers do not look like Ashley at all. Against the background of this acquaintance, a persecution mania develops in a woman. This is a favorite move that Sheldon Sidney uses all the time.

Ashley goes to the police because of her fears. However, after this, the servants of the law are mysteriously killed. The same thing happens to a few other people. The evidence suggests that the same person is involved in the crime. Investigators find out that Ashley is to blame for the murder. She is arrested and then, finally, it turns out that the woman has a psychological disorder, because of which she sees two "friends". This is how the plot of the novel "Shattered Dreams" unfolds abruptly. Sidney Sheldon sends her character to a psychological clinic, where the plot ends.

Interestingly, the original title of the book, "Tell me your dreams", actually translates to "Tell me your dreams."

Popularity and death

Sidney Detectives are especially popular with women. The author himself explained this by the fact that most of his central characters are girls. The last one in 2005 wasautobiography The Other Side of Success by Sidney Sheldon. The author's books often bear the imprint of personal experiences.

The writer died in 2007 after a brief battle with bilateral pneumonia. He did not live two weeks before his 90th birthday.