John Russell

Born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1885, John Russell built his career first in journalism and short fiction before becoming a screenwriter. He published story collections and novels, including The Red Mark and Other Stories and Where the Pavement Ends, showing a talent for vivid, fast-moving storytelling.

Russell later brought that storytelling to the movies, where he became known for writing or contributing to major films of the silent era and early sound period. Credits associated with him include The Iron Horse and Beau Geste, and he is also linked to the 1931 film Frankenstein.

He died in 1956. Today, he is remembered as a versatile writer who worked across newspapers, books, magazines, and film at a time when American popular storytelling was rapidly expanding into new forms.