Sheldon Sidney - American writer and screenwriter: biography, creativity

The future writer Sheldon Sidney was born in Chicago in 1917, in the family of a Jewish jeweler. It is interesting that his grandparents were from the Russian Empire, where they immigrated shortly before the birth of their grandson, fearing Jewish pogroms.

Career writer

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

These were films that were not designed for great popularity. Often such pictures showed the second number on popular then double sessions, when films A and B went successively. Here Sheldon Sidney worked in the favorite genre of the detective.

Work on Broadway and in TV shows

With the outbreak of the war in Europe, the aviation sector is becoming a new destination for Sidney Sheldon. The books he dreamed of were postponed for later. However, he did not manage to be in battle. In 1941, part of it was disbanded. After military service, the screenwriter travels to New York. Here he successfully writes for performances on Broadway. Simultaneously, his scenarios are bought by major film studios.

In 1963, he agreed with actress Patty Duke that he would write a script for each series of her shows. In the three seasons that this program went on, Sheldon became very popular. In addition, he wrote for the famous sitcoms. His last work on television was the script for several series of the film "The Hart's Spouses." It was his favorite detective genre, where a rich married couple engaged in criminal investigations as a hobby.

Literary success

However, this world-wide fame came after Sheldon published his first novel. Most of them became bestsellers due to the twisted plot and talent of the writer. Films based on the novels of Sidney Sheldon successfully went to theaters. To date, they have already been shot twenty-five. For his services to American cinema, the writer got his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His name sounded not only in his native States, but throughout the world. The author's books have been translated into more than five dozen languages. Particularly often reissue such books as "The Turn of Midnight" and "Nothing is eternal". Sidney Sheldon is known as a very prolific author. His pen belongs to 19 books, each of which came out regularly every 2-3 years.

"Mask the mask"

The first novel of the former screenwriter was published in 1970 and was called "Mask the Mask" (in the original "The Naked Face" - "Naked Face"). In the center of the plot is a psychoanalyst named 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 tries to prove his innocence by conducting his own investigation. In the end, he has to do this, hiding from both the police and the mysterious killer.

In 1984, the screen version 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 the secret agent of James Bond.

"The reverse side of midnight"

This is Sheldon's most commercially successful novel. He came out in 1973 and consolidated the success of the author's debut book. The authoritative "New York Times" newspaper placed the "Turn of the Midnight" on the first line of its bestseller list for 52 consecutive weeks after publication. In 1977 the book was filmed.

From the pages of the book the reader learns about the fate of a love triangle, in which two women and a pilot are involved. History has been developing for 8 years and covers the era of World War II.

"Stranger in the Mirror"

In 1976, the reading public enthusiastically met the writer's third novel - "The Stranger in the Mirror." It was a story about the world of actors, where the popular comedian Toby, who made a career in the ability to make people laugh, is in the spotlight.

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

"Wrath of angels"

This novel, published in 1980, has two common Russian names given by different translators. This is the "Rage of the Angels" and "Wrath of the Angels." Sidney Sheldon again twists the plot around the young heroine. Now it's Jennifer Parker's lawyer. Her brilliant career develops against the background of the same personal life. She has two lovers, whose life is radically different from each other. One is a promising politician. Another is an influential mafia. This triangle tie a sharp plot, which does not give up for a second.

The success of the paper edition allowed in 1983 to make the film "Wrath of the Angels." Sidney Sheldon was the author of the script to adapt his work on the big screen. However, the story told on the 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, for which the famous author also wrote a script.

"The sands of Time"

This bestseller appeared on the shelves of shops in 1988. It must be mentioned, considering films based on the novels of Sidney Sheldon. The screen adaptation was carried out in the US four years later in a two-part format. In it actresses Amanda Palmer and Deborah Raffin have played.

The plot carries the reader (or spectator) to Spain. At this time, the country is shaken by the attacks of radicals from the party ETA, which requires independence for the autonomous region of the Basque country. When the army manages to get out on the trail of criminals, the chase begins, which leads the soldiers to the nunnery. The servants are evacuated, but four of them escape to the mountains, taking with them a local relic - an ancient cross of gold.

There, women stumble upon those same Basque separatists. The group agrees to continue moving together. They want to get to the next monastery, where they will finally have a refuge. The detachment 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 conflicts between fellow travelers grow into an open quarrel. In addition, they can not share a precious crucifix, which can be profitable to sell.

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 United States, where relatives left her a large inheritance. She becomes an entrepreneur, but after a few years she learns that her long-time Spanish 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 the bridegroom flee back to the States.

Thus ends the novel "The Sands of Time". Sidney Sheldon believed that this is one of his best works.

"Split Dreams"

Schizophrenia is a topic that affects the novel "Split Dreams". Sydney Sheldon published the book in 1998 on the wave of his own success after previous works. His character Ashley Petterson has two friends who are actually part of her imagination.

The girl is of a closed character. She is a complete introvert and workaholic, spending all her free time at work. Her "friends" appear at her work. Their communication is not asked because the two strangers are not at all like Ashley. Against the background of this acquaintance, a woman develops a persecution mania. This is a favorite technique that Sheldon Sidney constantly uses.

Ashley because of his fears turns to the police. However, after this, the minister of the law is mysteriously killed. The same thing happens to a few more people. The evidence suggests that the same person is involved in the crime. Investigators find out that Ashley is guilty of the murder. She is arrested and then, finally, it turns out that the woman has a psychological disorder, because of which she seems to have two "friends". So the plot of the novel "Split Dreams" unfolds abruptly. Sidney Sheldon sends her heroine to the psychological clinic, where the plot ends.

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

Popularity and death

Detectives of Sidney are especially popular among women. The author himself explained this by the fact that most of his central characters are girls. The last in 2005 was the autobiography "The Reverse Side of Success," written by Sidney Sheldon. The books of the author are often imprinted on personal experiences.

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