Writing

Oliver Crawford

Born August 17, 1917 · Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Died September 24, 2008 · aged 91

Oliver Crawford (né Kaufman) (August 12, 1917 – September 24, 2008) was an American screenwriter and author who overcame the Hollywood blacklist during the McCarthy Era of the 1950s to become one of the entertainment industry's most successful television writers. Shows that Crawford wrote for include Star Trek, Bonanza, Quincy, M.E., Perry Mason, and the Kraft Television Theatre.

Known For

The Man from the AlamoThe Man from the Alamo · 1953
The Man from the Alamo
★ 6.61953
MovieWestern
During the war for Texas independence, one man leaves the Alamo before the end (chosen to help others' families) but is too late to accomplish his mission, and is branded a coward. Unable to expose a gang of turncoats, he infiltrates them instead.
Girl in the WoodsGirl in the Woods · 1958
Girl in the Woods
★ 10.01958
MovieDrama
Lumbering tale of lumbermen challenging the ownership of valuable woodlands.
The ExecutionThe Execution · 1985
The Execution
★ 7.31985
MovieDramaTV Movie
The members of a San Diego Wednesday night womens' mah jongg club are five survivors of a Nazi concentration camp. They recognize the owner of a local restaurant, Walter Grossman, as a doctor from the camp who performed experiments on them as young girls. To their horror they learn that he has already been tried as a war criminal and has served but a few years for his crimes. They decide that they will "execute" him, drawing lots to determine which one will perform the act, without letting the others know who it is.
The Steel CageThe Steel Cage · 1954
The Steel Cage
★ 7.01954
MovieDrama
Drama set in San Quentin prison.
The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer · 1959
The Jazz Singer
1959
MovieComedyDrama
A young Jewish man is torn between tradition and individuality when his old-fashioned family objects to his career as a jazz singer.
EmergencyEmergency
Emergency
MovieMysteryCrime
An armed man breaks into a family's home during a terrible thunderstorm. Aired on Oct 15, 1953 as Season 2, Episode 3 of The Ford Television Theatre.
MannixMannix · 1967
Mannix
★ 6.91967
SeriesAction & AdventureCrime
Mannix is an American television detective series that ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller, the title character, Joe Mannix, is a private investigator. He is played by Mike Connors. Mannix was the last series produced by Desilu Productions.
IronsideIronside · 1967
Ironside
★ 6.81967
SeriesCrimeDrama
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding.

Filmography

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LawmanLawman · 1958
Lawman
★ 6.01958
SeriesWestern
Lawman is an American western television series originally telecast on ABC from 1958 to 1962 starring John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop and featuring Peter Brown as Deputy Marshal Johnny McKay. The series was set in Laramie, Wyoming during 1879 and the 1880s. Warner Bros. already had several western series on the air at the time, having launched Cheyenne with Clint Walker as early as 1955. The studio continued the trend in 1957 with the additions of Maverick with James Garner and Jack Kelly, Colt .45 with Wayde Preston, and Sugarfoot with Will Hutchins. One year later, Warner Bros. added Lawman and Bronco with Ty Hardin. Prior to the beginning of production, Russell and Brown and producer Jules Schermer made a pact to maintain the quality of the series so that it would not be seen as "just another western." At the start of season two, Russell and Brown were joined by Peggie Castle as Lily Merrill, the owner of the Birdcage Saloon, and a love interest for Dan.

Writer