Luci Ward (1907–1969) was an American screenwriter.[1] She mostly worked on crime B movies and Western films.

Luci Ward
Born
Lucille Ward

November 30, 1907
DiedNovember 30, 1969 (aged 62)
Los Angeles, California, US
Other namesBrooks Nevins
OccupationWriter
Years active1936–1967
SpouseJack Natteford

Biography

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Ward was born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, the daughter of Edgar Ward and Lucille Pipes. She had a brother, Royce, and two step-siblings from her father's second marriage (her mother died when she was young).

Ward began her career as a secretary to First National executives[2] and screenwriters (including Ben Markson)[3] before becoming a script girl.[4] Later, she got a chance to pen her own scripts. She also wrote articles for publications like Cosmopolitan, sometimes using the pen name Brooks Nevins.[5]

She testified at a National Labor Relations Board hearing that she was hired as a stenographer at Warner Brothers for $25 a week and wasn't given a raise when she was promoted to screenwriter. Warner Brothers then hired her a personal secretary at $32.50 a week.[6]

She was married to fellow screenwriter Jack Natteford and co-wrote several films with him.[7]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Pitts p.105
  2. ^ "16 May 1937, 25 - The Missoulian at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  3. ^ "24 Oct 1935, Page 18 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  4. ^ "11 May 1937, Page 12 - The Evening News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  5. ^ "25 Jun 1934, 11 - The San Francisco Examiner at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  6. ^ "24 Aug 1939, Page 15 - The Amarillo Globe-Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  7. ^ "24 Feb 1957, Page 2 - Valley News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2019-02-16.

Bibliography

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  • Jill Nelmes & Jule Selbo. Women Screenwriters: An International Guide. Palgrave Macmillan, 2015.
  • Pitts, Michael R. Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films. McFarland, 2012.
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