Bill Gunn (writer)
| Bill Gunn |
|---|
 |
| Occupation |
writer, director, actor |
|---|
| Nationality |
United States |
|---|
Bill Gunn (born William Harrison Gunn; July 15, 1934 - April 5, 1989) was an American playwright, novelist, actor and film director. His 1973 cult classic horror film Ganja and Hess was chosen as one of ten best American films of the decade at the Cannes Film Festival, 1973.[1] His drama Johnnas won an Emmy award in 1972.[2]
Career
A native of Philadelphia, Gunn wrote more than 29 plays during his lifetime. He also authored two novels and wrote several produced screenplays. He died from encephalitis at a Nyack, New York hospital the day before his play, The Forbidden City opened at the Public Theater in New York City.[3]
Bibliography
Plays
- Marcus in the High Grass (1959) - produced in New York City by Theatre Guild.
- Johnnas (1968) - produced in New York City at Chelsea Theatre.
- Black Picture Show (1975) - produced in New York City at Vivian Beaumont Theater.
- Rhinestone (musical; based on novel Rhinestone Sharecropping) (1982) produced in New York City at Richard Allen Center.
- Family Employment (1985) - produced in New York City at The Public Theater.
- The Forbidden City (1989) - produced in New York City at The Public Theater.
- Also author of Celebration - produced in Los Angeles at Mark Taper Forum.
Screenplays
- Fame Game (1968), Columbia Pictures.
- Friends (1968), Universal Studios.
- Stop (1969), (never released), Warner.
- (With Ronald Ribman) The Angel Levine (1970) (adaptation of novel by Bernard Malamud), United Artists.
- Don't the Moon Look Lonesome (1970) (adaptation of novel by Don Asher), Chuck Barris Productions.
- The Landlord (1970) (adaptation of novel by Kristin Hunter), United Artists.
- Ganja and Hess (1973), Kelly-Jordan Enterprises, re-edited and released under title Blood Couple, Heritage Enterprises.
- The Greatest: The Muhammad Ali Story (1976), Columbia.
Television Screenplays
- Johnnas (1972), National Broadcasting Company (NBC).
- The Alberta Hunter Story (1982), co-wrter w. Chris Albertson-never completed - Southern Pictures (UK).
Novels
- All the Rest Have Died (1964), Delacorte (New York, NY).
- Rhinestone Sharecropping (1981), Reed, Cannon, ISBN 0-918408-19-9, ISBN 978-0-918408-19-8.
Filmography (as director)
| Year |
Film |
Credit |
| 1970 |
Stop |
director |
|
| 1973 |
Ganja & Hess
... aka Black Evil
... aka Black Vampire (USA: video title)
... aka Blackout: The Moment of Terror
... aka Blood Couple (cut version)
... aka Double Possession
... aka Vampires of Harlem |
director |
|
| 1980 |
Personal Problems |
director |
|
Filmography (as actor)
References
- ↑ Harris, Brandon. "Bill Gunn Surfaces at BAM." Filmmaker Magazine. 31 Mar. 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ↑ Obituary, By C. GERALD FRASER, The New York Times, Published: Friday, April 7, 1989, section D, page 20 of the New York edition. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ↑ West, Malcolm R., ed. (April 24, 1989). "Playwright Bill Gunn, 59, dies on eve of premiere". Jet (Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.) 76 (3): 53.
Further reading
- Ostrom, Hans. "Bill Gunn," in The Greenwood Encyclopedia of African American Literature," edited by Hans Ostrom and J. David Macey. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishers, 2005. Volume II, 683.
- Tate, Greg. "Bill Gunn, 1934-89." Village Voice. Published: Apr 25, 1989. Vol. 34, Iss. 17, p. 98.
- Williams, John. "Bill Gunn (1929-1989): A Checklist of His Films, Dramatic Works and Novels." Black American Literature Forum. 25.4 (1991): 781- (7p).
External links