William P. McGivern

Writing

William P. McGivern

Born December 6, 1918 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died November 18, 1982 · aged 63

William Peter McGivern (December 6, 1918 – November 18, 1982) was an American novelist and television scriptwriter. He published more than 20 novels, mostly mysteries and crime thrillers, some under the pseudonym Bill Peters.

Known For

The Big HeatThe Big Heat · 1953
The Big Heat
7.71953
MovieCrimeThriller
After the suspicious suicide of a fellow cop, tough homicide detective Dave Bannion takes the law into his own hands when he sets out to smash a vicious crime syndicate.
Night of the JugglerNight of the Juggler · 1980
Night of the Juggler
6.81980
MovieActionCrime
When a twisted psychotic kidnaps a young girl, mistaking her for the daughter of a wealthy developer, her father, a hardened ex-cop, doggedly hunts them through New York's seamy streets.
The Wrecking CrewThe Wrecking Crew · 1968
The Wrecking Crew
5.71968
MovieActionComedy
When Count Contini attempts to destroy the world's economy by masterminding the theft of $1 billion in U.S. gold, ICE chief MacDonald summons secret agent Matt Helm to stop him.
BranniganBrannigan · 1975
Brannigan
6.01975
MovieActionCrime
A hard-nosed Chicago cop is sent to London to bring back an American mobster being held for extradition. Brannigan in his Irish-American way brings American law to the people of Scotland Yard but has to contend with a stuffy old London first.
I Saw What You DidI Saw What You Did · 1965
I Saw What You Did
6.21965
MovieThrillerHorror
Teenage friends Kit and Libby make prank phone calls for fun but then find themselves involved in a brutal double murder committed by one of their targets.
Odds Against TomorrowOdds Against Tomorrow · 1959
Odds Against Tomorrow
6.91959
MovieCrimeDrama
An old-time crook plans a heist. When one of his two partners is found out to be a black man tensions flare.
Hell on Frisco BayHell on Frisco Bay · 1955
Hell on Frisco Bay
5.31955
MovieCrimeThriller
A cop framed for a murder he did not commit hunts the San Francisco waterfront for the Mob racketeers who are responsible.
The Caper of the Golden BullsThe Caper of the Golden Bulls · 1967
The Caper of the Golden Bulls
6.31967
MovieActionComedy
Peter Churchman stopped robbing banks a long time ago and is now living as a wealthy and respected citizen in Pamplona, Spain. But then his former companion Angela appears and blackmails him to help her robbing the Spanish National Bank of Pamplona. He gives in and develops a brilliant plan... Will this be then end of his comfortable life?

Filmography

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Slattery's PeopleSlattery's People · 1964
Slattery's People
7.01964
SeriesDrama
Slattery's People is a 1964-1965 American television series about local politics starring Richard Crenna as title character James Slattery, a state legislator, co-starring Ed Asner and Tol Avery, and featuring Carroll O'Connor and Warren Oates in a couple of episodes each. James E. Moser was executive producer. The program, telecast on CBS, was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Slattery's People is mainly notable for having been one of the few American television series spotlighting the travails of local politicians, a topic that other programs of the period mainly avoided. Many television critics highly praised the series. Many politicians also approved of the program. U.S. Representative James C. Corman said in a Congressional Record statement on September 30, 1964, “I am pleased that they have taken the high road to show a legislator’s life, and have not pandered to sensationalism or unreality to stimulate an audience following.” Moser's script for the pilot was printed as an appendix in Teleplay; an introduction to television writing by Coles Trapnell. Television composer Nathan Scott wrote the theme music for Slattery's People.

Writer