Lesser Samuels

Lesser Samuels (1894–1980) was an American screenwriter and occasional playwright known for his work on a range of thoughtful, socially conscious films during the mid-20th century. With a career that spanned several decades in Hollywood, Samuels became respected for his skill in adapting literary works and creating character-driven dramas that explored moral and psychological complexity.

Born on August 29, 1894, in Brooklyn, New York, Samuels began his professional life as a journalist before transitioning into screenwriting in the 1930s. His early work in Hollywood included screenplays for both original stories and adaptations, and he quickly earned a reputation for his literary sensibility and economy of dialogue.

One of his most acclaimed achievements came with his work on the screenplay for Ace in the Hole (1951), directed by Billy Wilder. A biting satire of media sensationalism and human exploitation, the film—also known as The Big Carnival—earned Samuels an Academy Award nomination for Best Story & Screenplay. His contribution to the film’s cynical yet riveting tone played a key role in its lasting critical reputation, even though it was not a commercial success at the time.

Samuels also contributed to other notable films, including No Sad Songs for Me (1950), a poignant domestic drama, and The Tall Target (1951), a noir-style thriller directed by Anthony Mann. While his work leaned heavily toward film, Samuels occasionally worked in theatre and was valued in the industry for his ability to bring literary intelligence and emotional weight to his screenplays.

Lesser Samuels passed away on April 27, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. Though not a household name, he left a legacy of thoughtful, well-crafted screenplays that contributed to some of the most intellectually ambitious films of Hollywood’s mid-century period. His work remains a testament to the power of the written word in shaping nuanced, socially reflective cinema.