Edwin Harvey Blum, a native of the culturally rich and diverse metropolis of San Francisco, embarked on a life-changing journey in 1933 when he relocated to the City of Angels, driven by his unwavering passion for a career in screenwriting. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles, Blum initially secured employment as a ghostwriter and personal assistant to the esteemed Ernest Pascal, a renowned figure in the film industry who would later go on to serve as the third president of the Screen Writers Guild from 1935 to 1937, a testament to his enduring influence and impact on the world of cinema.
In the year nineteen thirty-eight, a notable event took place in the career of the esteemed screenwriter, Ben Hecht, as he was hired under contract by the renowned film studio, 20th Century Fox. This marked a significant turning point in his professional journey, as he collaborated with his colleagues to craft an imaginative script for the 1939 cinematic masterpiece, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes". Interestingly, this screenplay was adapted from the stage play of the same name, penned by the illustrious William Gillette, rather than drawing inspiration from the original stories written by the iconic Arthur Conan Doyle.
Following the success of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", Hecht continued to hone his craft, and in 1941, he authored the original screenplay for the delightful musical comedy, "The Great American Broadcast". This charming film starred the talented actress, Alice Faye, who brought her unique charm to the role. As his career progressed, Hecht transitioned to freelance work, lending his expertise to various studios, including Columbia, MGM, and Paramount.
Noted film industry professional, Blum, garnered widespread critical acclaim for his outstanding solo performance in the 1944 cinematic adaptation of "The Canterville Ghost". This notable achievement led to his subsequent nomination, alongside renowned director Billy Wilder, for a prestigious Writers Guild Award in recognition of their collaborative efforts on the gripping World War II prisoner-of-war drama "Stalag 17", released in 1953.
Despite his impressive accomplishments within the film industry, Blum also made occasional forays into the realm of stage writing. Although his initial two attempts at a Broadway production in 1936 and 1938 met with notable failure, he found renewed success in 1960 when he won a coveted Ford Foundation Prize for his outstanding work on "The Saving Grace".
Edwin Blum, a multifaceted individual, redirected his attention towards the realm of Democratic politics in the 1950s, subsequently experiencing a notable decline in his creative output in the film industry.
In the year 1950, Blum became intricately involved in the management of Helen Gahagan's senatorial campaign against Richard Nixon in the state of California.
During this significant portion of his career, Blum's professional endeavors primarily revolved around crafting humorous anecdotes and eloquent speeches for esteemed presidential candidates, including the illustrious Adlai Stevenson and the notable Hubert H. Humphrey.
His creative endeavors, though not as frequent as in the past, persisted in the realm of television scripting until his eventual retirement in the year 1977.
