Frances Hyland (screenwriter)

Frances Hyland (born Frances C. Moore) was an American screenwriter active between the late 1920s and the late 1940s. She was the first woman hired as a "gagman" at a film studio, and she wrote dozens of comedic scripts over the course of her career.[1]

Frances Hyland
Born
Frances C. Moore

1903 (estimated)
Arkansas
OccupationScreenwriter
Parent(s)William C. Moore
Aura Lee Dickey.

Biography

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Hyland was born in Arkansas, the daughter of William C. Moore and Aura Lee Dickey. Her father was the editor of the local newspaper; he would later move to California and edit The Hueneme Harbor Bulletin.[2]

In 1926, she became the first woman to be hired by Universal as a "gagman" (comedy writer).[3] She later worked for Tiffany Pictures.[4] She continued to work steadily throughout the 1930s and 1940s, producing scripts for well-received films like The Sin of Nora Moran, A Shriek in the Night, and In Old California.

She was married to filmmaker Albert Ray until his death.[5] Her date of death and final resting place are unknown.

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "9 Jul 1926, Page 4 - The Coshocton Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  2. ^ "4 Jun 1938, 22 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  3. ^ "30 Aug 1926, 25 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  4. ^ "7 Feb 1930, 30 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
  5. ^ "24 Jul 1932, Page 15 - Oakland Tribune at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
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