Murray Burnett

Murray Burnett was an American playwright and screenwriter best known for co-writing the play Everybody Comes to Rick's with Joan Alison, which was later adapted into the iconic film Casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Burnett's work was heavily influenced by his experiences during World War II and his interests in Theatre of the Absurd and the works of Bertolt Brecht. He was also associated with the Group Theatre and the Federal Theatre Project, where he worked alongside notable figures such as Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler. Burnett's contributions to the world of theatre and film have been recognized by institutions such as the Dramatists Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America.

● Early Life

Murray Burnett was born in 1915 in New York City to a family of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. He grew up in a culturally rich environment, surrounded by the works of William Shakespeare, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Leo Tolstoy. Burnett's early education took place at City College of New York, where he developed an interest in Theatre and began writing his own plays. He was also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the works of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. During his time at City College of New York, Burnett was exposed to the ideas of Marxism and Socialism, which would later shape his writing style and thematic choices.

● Career

Burnett's career as a playwright and screenwriter spanned several decades, during which he worked on numerous projects, including Everybody Comes to Rick's, which was later adapted into Casablanca. He collaborated with notable figures such as Joan Alison, Julius J. Epstein, and Philip G. Epstein, and his work was influenced by the French Resistance and the Spanish Civil War. Burnett was also associated with the Hollywood Ten, a group of screenwriters and directors who were blacklisted during the Red Scare for their alleged ties to the Communist Party USA. He worked on films such as The Desperate Hours and The Bramble Bush, and his writing often explored themes of Social justice and Human rights, as seen in the works of Arthur Miller and Lillian Hellman.

● Works

Burnett's most notable work is undoubtedly Everybody Comes to Rick's, which was later adapted into the iconic film Casablanca. The play, co-written with Joan Alison, tells the story of Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner in Casablanca, and his involvement in the French Resistance. The play was influenced by Burnett's experiences during World War II and his interests in Theatre of the Absurd and the works of Bertolt Brecht. Burnett also worked on other plays, such as Havana, which explored themes of Imperialism and Colonialism, and The Desperate Hours, which was later adapted into a film directed by William Wyler. His writing often explored the human condition, as seen in the works of Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill.

● Personal Life

Burnett's personal life was marked by his experiences during World War II, during which he served in the United States Army. He was also involved in various Social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-war movement. Burnett was married to Dorothy Bridges, and the couple had two children together. He was also friends with notable figures such as Orson Welles and John Huston, and his work was influenced by the Surrealist movement and the works of André Breton and Salvador Dalí. Burnett's interests in Jazz music and Blues music also played a significant role in shaping his writing style, as seen in the works of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

● Legacy

Murray Burnett's legacy is deeply rooted in his contributions to the world of theatre and film. His work on Everybody Comes to Rick's and Casablanca has had a lasting impact on the film industry, and his writing continues to influence Screenwriters and Playwrights to this day. Burnett's involvement in the Group Theatre and the Federal Theatre Project also played a significant role in shaping the American theatre scene, and his work has been recognized by institutions such as the Dramatists Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America. His contributions to the world of theatre and film have also been acknowledged by notable figures such as Elia Kazan and Arthur Miller, and his writing continues to be studied by scholars at institutions such as Yale University and New York University. Category:American playwrights