Charles M. MacArthur Paintings

Charles MacArthur was an American playwright, screenwriter, and journalist, born on November 5, 1895, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his collaborations with Ben Hecht, with the most notable being the play 'The Front Page' (1928), which has become a classic of the American stage and has been adapted into several films and a musical.

MacArthur began his career as a journalist, which provided him with the rich experience that would later inform his writing. He served in World War I as a war correspondent, and after the war, he moved to New York City, where he started writing plays. His early works did not achieve much success, but his fortunes changed when he met Hecht, a fellow journalist turned playwright. Their partnership proved fruitful, and 'The Front Page' was a hit, satirizing the newspaper business and presenting a fast-paced, cynical perspective on the world of reporters.

His success in the theater naturally evolved into a career in Hollywood, where MacArthur went on to co-write several screenplays during the 1930s and 1940s, including the Academy Award-winning film 'The Scoundrel' (1935), which he also co-wrote with Hecht. He was married to the actress Helen Hayes, with whom he had a daughter, Mary, and a son, James MacArthur, who went on to become an actor, most famous for his role in the original 'Hawaii Five-O' television series.

Charles MacArthur's work is characterized by witty dialogue and a flair for dramatic structure, often reflecting a skeptical view of institutions and a fascination with the colorful personalities of urban America. He continued to write for both stage and screen through the 1940s and 1950s. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he passed away on April 21, 1956, in New York City. His legacy endures through 'The Front Page' and other works that continue to be studied, performed, and enjoyed to this day.