Date of Birth: December 5, 1910
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: October 26, 1999
Biography
Abraham Lincoln Polonsky was an American screenwriter, novelist, and director, celebrated for his contributions to film noir and his defiance against the Hollywood blacklist. Born in New York City, Polonsky graduated from City College of New York and later earned a law degree from Columbia University. He initially practiced law but soon transitioned to writing, finding his true calling in literature and screenwriting. Polonsky’s career took off in the 1940s when he wrote the screenplay for “Body and Soul” (1947), a critically acclaimed boxing drama that earned him an Academy Award nomination. His directorial debut, “Force of Evil” (1948), is now considered a classic of film noir, though it received mixed reviews upon release. In the early 1950s, Polonsky’s career was derailed when he was blacklisted during the Red Scare for his alleged Communist affiliations. Despite this setback, he continued to write under pseudonyms and worked in television. Polonsky made a significant comeback in the late 1960s and 1970s, notably with the screenplay for “Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here” (1969). Polonsky also wrote several novels, including “The World Above” and “A Season of Fear,” showcasing his versatility and depth as a writer. He remained an outspoken advocate for artistic freedom and civil rights throughout his life.
5 Interesting Facts about Abraham Polonsky
1. Abraham Polonsky was a member of the Communist Party USA during the 1930s and 1940s.
2. He was blacklisted in Hollywood during the McCarthy era due to his alleged Communist ties.
3. Polonsky wrote under pseudonyms during his blacklisting to continue working in the film industry.
4. His film “Force of Evil” is regarded as one of the greatest film noirs of all time.
5. Polonsky was an outspoken critic of the Hollywood blacklist and testified before Congress in the 1950s.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Abraham Polonsky
1. “No writer can be a Marxist, and no Marxist can be a writer.”
2. “A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.”
3. “Force of Evil was a film made in the spirit of the time, a film about corruption, a film about the ambition that destroys people.”
4. “Hollywood’s history is written in the margins.”
5. “The blacklist was an act of political terrorism.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Abraham Polonsky’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Abraham Polonsky had one child, a daughter named Ann Polonsky, who pursued a career in academia.
Relevant Links
1. [Abraham Polonsky – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689657/
2. [Abraham Polonsky – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Polonsky
5. [Abraham Polonsky – Biography](https://www.biography.com/filmmaker/abraham-polonsky
