Cy Howard
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Biography
Radio comedy writer who initially penned schtick for Milton Berle, Danny Thomas and Bert Lahr until his breakthrough, the creation of the radio series "My Friend Irma" (1947). In 1949, Howard scripted the film version of "My Friend Irma," featuring the film debut of the celebrated comedy team, (Dean) Martin and (Jerry) Lewis. He went on to write the sequel, "My Friend Irma Goes West" (1950), and the comic duo's fourth feature, "That's My Boy" (1951), which he also associate produced. In 1952, "My Friend Irma" became a TV series, running on CBS for two seasons. Howard joined Desilu Studios in 1959, working for five years under a production and development deal.
Howard returned to screenwriting with the Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin vehicle, "Marriage on the Rocks" (1965) before making his feature directorial debut with the outstanding ensemble comedy "Lovers and Other Strangers" (1970). The film and its director garnered praise for the skillful way it utilized its sharp comic screenplay and the credible and funny performances of Bea Arthur, Richard Castellano, and many others. A subsequent directorial effort, "Every Little Crook and Nanny" (1972), offered a clever premise but was not especially well received. Howard subsequently focused on his writing, which included the screenplay for "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood" (1976). Divorced from actresses Nan Wynn and Gloria Grahame, Howard was married to studio mogul Jack Warner's daughter Barbara.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Life Events
1943
Broadway debut, "Storm Operation"
1947
Created and wrote the popular radio series, "My Friend Irma"
1949
Feature screenwriting debut, "My Friend Irma"; film debut of the comedy team of Martin and Lewis
1952
TV producing debut, "My Friend Irma" and "Life with Luigi"
1959
Became an executive producer at Desilu TV studios
1961
Filed suit in June for $950,000 against director Frank Tashlin, star Jerry Lewis and Paramount Studios, claimed that his story idea and screenplay, "The Paris Story", had been used without permission in the film, "Cinderfella"; case was settled out of court six months later
1964
Left Desilu
1965
Returned to screenwriting with "Marriage on the Rocks"
1970
Made debut as film director with "Lovers and Other Strangers"
1972
Second and last feature film directed, "Every Little Crook and Nanny"
1974
Final TV directorial credit, "It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy"
1976
Last script produced, "Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood"
1993
Sold a treatment to Disney entitled "A Proper Education" less than two months before his death
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