Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author. He had written more than 30 plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, and received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer.
Born in The Bronx, New York City, after leaving university Simon wrote for Sid Caesar’s Your Show Of Shows https://youtu.be/BQBlEnsylI0 From the early 60s, he wrote for Broadway and many of his plays and musicals were then transferred to the screen. Critics have often questioned the depth of Simon’s writing but his work has proved popular with a wide demographic.
Early hits were Come Blow Your Horn (1961/film 1963) https://youtu.be/IyiQNLT8lg8 and Little Me (1962), his book based on Patrick Dennis’ novel. With music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, and starring Caesar, the show ran for 257 performances. Other plays/films of the 60s are Barefoot In The Park (1963/film 1967) and The Odd Couple (1966/1968), Tony Award winner as Best Playwright.
At Bob Fosse’s suggestion, he based his book for Sweet Charity (1966/1969) on an Italian film, Le Notti Di Cabiria (1957). With music by Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, the show ran for 608 performances. Late 60s works were Plaza Suite (1968/film 1971), Promises, Promises (1968), for which Simon based his book on the 1960 film,
The Apartment. With music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, the show ran for 1, 281 performances and had a London run of 560 performances. In the 70s were The Gingerbread Lady (1970/film 1981, entitled Only When I Laugh), The Prisoner Of Second Avenue (1971/1975), The Sunshine Boys (1972/1975), California Suite (1976/1978), The Goodbye Girl (film 1977/television 2004), Chapter Two (1977/1979) and They’re Playing Our Song (1979). The latter, a Broadway musical with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, ran for over 1, 000 performances and did well in London.
Tony award-winning U.S. playwright Neil Simon dies at 91 https://reut.rs/2C0yCOT
Neil Simon, celebrated writer for the stage and screen, dies at 91 http://blbrd.cm/gXS3ok
Remembering Neil Simon, A Broadway Legend | NYT News https://youtu.be/xJJ9ZBXLthk
Neil Simon, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Known for The Odd Couple, Dies at 91 https://people.com/theater/neil-simon-dies-91/?utm_source=twitter.com&u…
Neil Simon ● A Simple Tribute https://youtu.be/5xcH07ThI8s
BBC News - Neil Simon: Celebrated US playwright dies aged 91 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45316069
