Leonard Bernstein's Military Service and Early Writing Career
In February 1941, Leonard Bernstein was drafted into the United States Army, where he eventually rose to the rank of Sergeant. During World War II, he served as a correspondent on the staff of the Army newspaper Yank, reporting from various fronts including Iran, Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, Sicily, and Yugoslavia. His experiences during this time inspired an article titled "War and Palestine," which showcased his exceptional writing skills.
Bernstein's military service and subsequent writing career were marked by a series of publications, including his first book, "Keep Your Head Down," which was published in 1945. This collection of articles and stories originally appeared in The New Yorker and showcased his ability to craft engaging narratives.
Transition to Hollywood and Blacklisting
In 1947, Bernstein moved to Hollywood, where he worked under a ten-week contract with writer-producer-director Robert Rossen at Columbia Pictures. Following this stint, he collaborated with producer Harold Hecht, resulting in his first screen credit, shared with Ben Maddow, for the 1948 Universal film "Kiss the Blood Off My Hands," an adaptation of the Gerald Butler novel.
After his time in Hollywood, Bernstein returned to New York, where he continued writing for The New Yorker and other magazines. He also began working as a scriptwriter in the early days of live television. However, in 1950, his name appeared in the notorious publication Red Channels due to his left-wing political affiliations and related activities, leading to his blacklisting.
Despite being blacklisted, Bernstein managed to continue writing for television, often under pseudonyms or through the use of "fronts" (non-blacklisted individuals who would permit their names to appear on his work). He contributed to several notable TV programs during this era, including "Danger," "You Are There," and "Colonel March of Scotland Yard."
Overcoming Blacklisting
Bernstein's screenwriting career began to rebound from the blacklist when director Sidney Lumet hired him to write the screenplay for the 1959 Sophia Loren movie "That Kind of Woman." From then on, he was able to work openly on films such as "Paris Blues" (1961) and "Fail-Safe" (1964). He also contributed, without receiving credit, to the screenplays of "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) and "The Train" (1964). Additionally, he worked on the script for the ill-fated "Something's Got to Give," which was left uncompleted at the time of Marilyn Monroe's death in 1962.
Throughout his career, Bernstein demonstrated his versatility as a writer, transitioning seamlessly from print to screen and overcoming the challenges posed by blacklisting. His body of work showcases his exceptional storytelling abilities and his capacity to adapt to various mediums and genres.
