Robert Arthur (November 1, 1909 โ October 28, 1986)[1] was an American screenwriter and producer best known for his long association with Universal Studios.[2]
He began working as a screenwriter and joined MGM in 1937, where he wrote the screenplay for New Moon (1940) and the story for Chip Off the Old Block (1944).[1]
In 1955 MGM offered Arthur a contract but he preferred to work at Universal. He later said "they decided to hire me for as long as I care to work for. I'll tell you why I like this studio. When I turn out a clinker my bosses say 'We made a flop.' Turn out a good one and they say 'You made a hell of a picture.'"[6]
In 1965, he signed a "lifetime" contract with Universal.[7] At that time, 5 of Universal's top 10 highest-grossing films had been produced by Arthur - Operation Petticoat, That Touch of Mink, Come September, Lover Come Back and Shenandoah (1965).[7]A Man Could Get Killed (1966) was his 50th production.[7]
Arthur died in 1986 at the age of seventy-six and was interred in Forest Lawn โ Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.[4]Lew Wasserman said Arthur as ""a true professional, a fine man and good friend. His associates at Universal will miss his talents and his warmth."[10]
Personal life
Arthur was married to Goldie Appleby, who served as an executive secretary to Irving Thalberg at MGM and to Samuel Goldwyn during World War II. They were married for forty-seven years, until his death. Goldie Arthur died on December 24, 1998, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, following a stroke.[11][12]
^ abNo Bread Lines for Robert Arthur
Los Angeles Times 1 Oct 1965: D11.
^ abcd"Robert Arthur Is 'Forever'; 'Lifetime' Tie To U". Variety. October 6, 1965. p. 17.
^PRE-FILMING DAYS WORRY PRODUCER: Last-Month Decisions Vital, in Robert Arthur's View
By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times 13 June 1961: 29.
^MOVIE CALL SHEET: McLaglen to Direct 'Hark'
Martin, Betty. Los Angeles Times 16 Jan 1970: c12.
^Robert Arthur; Films Were Big at Box Office: [Home Edition]
Folkart, Burt A. Los Angeles Times 30 Oct 1986: 2.