William Saroyan

Writing

William Saroyan

Born August 31, 1908 · Fresno, California, USA

Died May 18, 1981 · aged 72

William Saroyan (August 31, 1908 – May 18, 1981) was an Armenian-American novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940, and in 1943 won the Academy Award for Best Story for the film The Human Comedy. When the studio rejected his original 240-page treatment, he turned it into a novel, The Human Comedy. Saroyan is regarded as one of the greatest w…

Known For

IthacaIthaca · 2015
Ithaca
5.22015
MovieDrama
In a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley, 14-year-old Homer Macauley is determined to be the best and fastest bicycle telegraph messenger anyone has ever seen. His older brother has gone to war, leaving Homer to look after his widowed mother, his older sister and his 4-year-old brother, Ulysses. And so it is that as spring turns to summer, 1942, Homer Macauley delivers messages of love, hope, pain... and death... to the good people of Ithaca. And Homer Macauley will grapple with one message that will change him forever - from a boy into a man. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Saroyan's 1943 novel, The Human Comedy, ITHACA is the quintessential wartime tale of the Home Front. It is a coming-of-age story about the exuberance of youth, the sweetness of life, the sting of death and the modesty and sheer goodness that lives in each and every one of us.
The Human ComedyThe Human Comedy · 1943
The Human Comedy
6.21943
MovieDramaFamily
Teenager Homer Macauley stays at home in the small town of Ithaca, California to support his family while his older brother Marcus prepares to go to war.
The BanishmentThe Banishment · 2008
The Banishment
7.12008
MovieDrama
While vacationing in the countryside at his childhood home, a woman suddenly reveals to her husband that she is expecting a child – but not his.
Call Her MomCall Her Mom · 1972
Call Her Mom
6.01972
MovieComedy
A sexy waitress becomes a house mother in a fraternity house and involves the college in a nationwide women's lib controversy.
The Time of Your LifeThe Time of Your Life · 1948
The Time of Your Life
6.11948
MovieComedyDrama
Joe spends a lot of his time at Nick's Pacific Street Saloon. Tom, who credits Joe with once saving his life, stops by regularly to run errands for Joe. Today, Tom notices a woman named Kitty when she comes into Nick's, and he quickly falls in love with her. Meanwhile, a distraught young man repeatedly calls his girlfriend, begging her to marry him. Nick himself muses on all the various persons who come into his bar, some to ask for work and others just to pass the time.
Hello Out ThereHello Out There · 1949
Hello Out There
5.51949
Movie
Director James Whale's last film, it was supposed to be part of an anthology film but was never released. A down on his luck gambler ends up in jail in a small Texan town where he meets and falls in love with Emily. They make plans to go to San Francisco but may not get the opportunity.
The Coldest Winter Since 1854The Coldest Winter Since 1854 · 1988
The Coldest Winter Since 1854
7.01988
MovieDrama
Aram falls unrequitedly in love with his classmate Annie. A beautiful story tells the depth of his feelings.
My Heart Is in the HighlandsMy Heart Is in the Highlands · 1967
My Heart Is in the Highlands
5.01967
MovieComedyDrama
A surreal film done in the style of a silent farce.

Filmography

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IthacaIthaca · 2015
Ithaca
5.22015
MovieDrama
In a small town in California's San Joaquin Valley, 14-year-old Homer Macauley is determined to be the best and fastest bicycle telegraph messenger anyone has ever seen. His older brother has gone to war, leaving Homer to look after his widowed mother, his older sister and his 4-year-old brother, Ulysses. And so it is that as spring turns to summer, 1942, Homer Macauley delivers messages of love, hope, pain... and death... to the good people of Ithaca. And Homer Macauley will grapple with one message that will change him forever - from a boy into a man. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Saroyan's 1943 novel, The Human Comedy, ITHACA is the quintessential wartime tale of the Home Front. It is a coming-of-age story about the exuberance of youth, the sweetness of life, the sting of death and the modesty and sheer goodness that lives in each and every one of us.

Novel