Date of Birth: July 1, 1892
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: October 27, 1977
Biography
James Mallahan Cain was a prominent American author and journalist, renowned for his hardboiled crime fiction. Born on July 1, 1892, in Annapolis, Maryland, Cain’s career spanned journalism, screenwriting, and novel writing. After earning a degree from Washington College, Cain worked as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun and later served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Cain’s literary career took off in the 1930s with the publication of his novel “The Postman Always Rings Twice” in 1934, a seminal work in the noir genre. He followed this success with other notable novels such as “Double Indemnity” (1936) and “Mildred Pierce” (1941), both of which were adapted into highly successful films. His writing style, marked by terse prose and complex characters, has left an indelible mark on American literature and film noir. Cain was married four times but had no children. He lived a relatively private life and avoided the Hollywood limelight despite having many of his works adapted into films. He passed away on October 27, 1977, in University Park, Maryland, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence writers and filmmakers.
5 Interesting Facts about James M. Cain
1. James M. Cain’s novel “The Postman Always Rings Twice” was banned in Boston for its explicit content.
2. He was a member of the “Black Mask” school of writers, which included other famous authors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
3. Cain’s novel “Mildred Pierce” was adapted into a film that won Joan Crawford an Academy Award for Best Actress.
4. He was originally trained as an opera singer before turning to writing.
5. Cain worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood but found greater success with his novels.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from James M. Cain
1. “I make no conscious effort to be tough, or hard-boiled, or grim, or any of the things I am usually called.”
2. “I write of the wish that comes true—for some reason, a terrifying concept.”
3. “I tried to write as people talk.”
4. “I write best when I am either falling in love or falling apart.”
5. “I think my style is direct and somewhat rough-hewn.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, James M. Cain’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a significant amount for his time.
Children
James M. Cain had no children.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – James M. Cain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Cain
2. [Goodreads – James M. Cain](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12302.James_M_Cain
3. [IMDb – James M. Cain](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0128894/
4. [Biography – James M. Cain](https://www.biography.com/writer/james-m-cain
