Luther Davis

Luther Davis (1916–2008) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and librettist known for his work in both Broadway musicals and Hollywood films. Born on August 29, 1916, in Brooklyn, New York, Davis graduated from Yale University and launched his writing career in the 1940s. Over the course of several decades, he became known for his versatility, writing across multiple genres and mediums, and for his ability to blend romance, drama, and historical themes into compelling narratives.

Davis is perhaps best known in the theatre world for his work as the book writer for the hit Broadway musical Kismet (1953), with music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest. Adapted from Edward Knoblock’s 1911 play, Kismet was set in a fantastical version of the Middle East and featured lush orchestrations and memorable songs adapted from the works of Russian composer Alexander Borodin. The show was a major success, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical and becoming a classic of the Golden Age of Broadway.

He reunited with Wright and Forrest on other musicals as well, including Timbuktu! (1978), a reimagining of Kismet set in Africa, and Grand Hotel (1989), a dramatic and stylish musical based on the 1929 novel Menschen im Hotel by Vicki Baum. Grand Hotel, with additional contributions from composer Maury Yeston and director Tommy Tune, was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Tony nominations and establishing Davis as a major figure in musical theatre into his later years.

In addition to his theatre work, Davis had a prolific career in Hollywood. He wrote screenplays for several notable films, including The Hucksters (1947), starring Clark Gable, and The Red Danube (1949), a post-World War II drama. His ability to write character-driven stories with emotional depth made him a reliable screenwriter in an era dominated by studio filmmaking. He also contributed to television and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, working on documentary and training films.

Luther Davis passed away on July 29, 2008, at the age of 91. His long and varied career spanned some of the most transformative decades in American entertainment. Whether writing librettos for grand musicals or screenplays for major motion pictures, Davis brought intelligence, elegance, and a sense of dramatic timing to his work. His legacy continues through the enduring popularity of the musicals he helped bring to life and the stories that reflect his deep understanding of human emotion and theatricality.