Garson Kanin, a multifaceted individual, has made a significant mark in the entertainment industry through his work as an actor, director, and writer. Born and raised during the tumultuous era of the Great Depression, Kanin dropped out of high school to support his family by pursuing a career in music and comedy.
He later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts from 1932 to 1933, where he honed his acting skills. Following his studies, Kanin briefly worked as an actor on Broadway before serving as an assistant to renowned director George Abbott. His next move was to join Samuel Goldwyn's staff in 1937, but he left after a year due to the lack of directing opportunities.
In 1939, Kanin signed with RKO and directed films such as The Great Man Votes and Tom, Dick and Harry. However, he soon grew frustrated with the limited creative control he had under the studio system. During World War II, Kanin served in the military, producing documentary films for the War Information and Emergency Manpower offices.
One of his documentary films, The True Glory (1945),co-directed with Carol Reed, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Kanin also began writing stories and plays during this period. After the war, he directed his play "Born Yesterday" on Broadway, which he later adapted for the screen.
Kanin's collaboration with his wife, Ruth Gordon, resulted in four screenplays, including Adam's Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952). They ceased working together on scripts after 1952 to preserve their marriage, but reunited in 1979 to co-write the TV film Hardhat and Legs (1980). What's more, Kanin and Gordon never signed a contract with any Hollywood studio as writers, instead writing and selling their scripts independently.
