Writing

Alec Coppel

Born September 17, 1907 · Melbourne, Australia

Died January 22, 1972 · aged 64

Alec Coppel (17 September 1907 – 22 January 1972) was an Australian-born screenwriter, novelist and playwright. He spent most of his career in London and Hollywood, specialising in light thrillers, mysteries and sex comedies. He is best known for the films Vertigo(1958), The Captain's Paradise (1953), Mr Denning Drives North (1951) and Obsession (1949), and the plays I Killed the Count and The Gaz…

Known For

VertigoVertigo · 1958
Vertigo
8.11958
MovieMysteryRomance
A retired San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
JoJo · 1971
Jo
7.21971
MovieComedyCrime
A writer accidentally shoots his blackmailer and tries to hide the body.
ObsessionObsession · 1949
Obsession
6.81949
MovieThrillerCrime
A British psychiatrist devises a devilish revenge plot against his wife's lover.
The GazeboThe Gazebo · 1959
The Gazebo
6.91959
MovieComedyCrime
TV writer Elliott Nash buries a blackmailer under the new gazebo in his suburban backyard. But the nervous man can't let the body rest there.
The Black KnightThe Black Knight · 1954
The Black Knight
6.41954
MovieActionAdventure
John, a blacksmith and swordsmith, is tutored at Camelot. As a commoner, he can't hope to win the hand of Lady Linet, daughter of the Earl of Yeoniland, so he creates a secret alternate identity as the Black Knight. In this new role, he is now able to help King Arthur when Saracens and Cornish men—disguised as Vikings -- plot to take over the country.
The Swordsman of SienaThe Swordsman of Siena · 1962
The Swordsman of Siena
4.11962
MovieAdventureDrama
A 16th-century Spanish overlord hires Thomas Stanswood (Stuart Granger) to protect his, less than eager, fiancee (Sylva Koscina) from rebels. Thomas finds himself drawn to both the fiancee and the rebels side.
Hell Below ZeroHell Below Zero · 1954
Hell Below Zero
7.01954
MovieAdventureAction
Duncan Craig signs on a whaling ship, partly because his own business deal has fallen through, partly to help Judie Nordhall find her father. Rumor has it that her father may have been murdered by Erik Bland, son of her father's partner and her one-time lover. Duncan and Erik find themselves on rival whaleboats and, ultimately, on an ice floe.
Woman HaterWoman Hater · 1948
Woman Hater
7.71948
MovieComedyRomance
An English lord who dislikes women meets a French movie star who dislikes men.

Filmography

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Alcoa TheatreAlcoa Theatre · 1957
Alcoa Theatre
7.01957
SeriesDrama
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights from October 7, 1957 to September 16, 1960. The program also aired under the title Turn of Fate, with the stories depicting the difficulties faced by individuals who are suddenly thrust into unexpected and perilous dangers. Alcoa Theatre was syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre as Award Theatre. In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer. Each appeared in dramatic and light comedic roles through the first season.

Story