Allen Rivkin papers, 1904-1975 (bulk 1930-1962)

Allen Rivkin (1903-1990) was a freelance magazine writer from 1925-1931 before working as a writer for motion pictures, television programs, and plays. Rivkin was originally from Hayward, Wisconsin and studied journalism at the University of Minnesota. He worked as a reporter before moving to Hollywood in 1923. He was one of the first nine directors elected to the Screenwriters Guild, which later became the Writers Guild of America. His writing career launched in the 1930s when he collaborated with Ben Markson on the stage play "Is My Face Red," which became a 1932 movie. In 1963 he quit screenwriting and became director of publicity for the Writers Guild, founding and editing their newsletter. He was married to Laura Hornickel (who wrote under the pseudonym of Laura Kerr) in 1952 and together they wrote two non-fiction books on the film industry, Hello, Hollywood! in 1962 and I Wasn't Born Yesterday. They also co-wrote the screenplay for the 1947 film "The Farmer's Daughter" for which Loretta Young won a best actress Academy Award.