Quick Facts
CapricornBiography
Leonardo Bercovici (January 4, 1908, Brooklyn, New York, USA – November 22, 1995, Los Angeles, California, USA) was an American screenwriter, film director and producer.
Blacklisting and aftermath
Bercovici was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted. He was named by Edward Dmytryk and Richard Collins. On May 16, 1951, swore he was not a member of the Communist Party, but invoked his fifth amendment right to incriminate himself when he was asked whether he had been a member in the past. He moved to Europe and worked in the European film industry until about 1958, when it was announced he would write the Tyrone Power film Two Against Tomorrow, but Power's death ended the project.
Personal life
Bercovici was married to Frances Ellis; she died in an apparent suicide on May 23, 1951, while Bercovici was being investigated for Communist activities.
Bercovici married Swedish stage and film actress Märta Torén in June 1952; she died in 1957. They had one daughter, Kristina.
His son Eric Bercovici became a screenwriter and producer, as did Bercovici's grandson Luca Bercovici.
Selected credits
Film
| Title | Year | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| The Preacher's Wife | 1996 | Earlier screenplay The Bishop's Wife |
| Story of a Woman | 1970 | Director, Producer, Writer |
| Square of Violence | 1961 | Director, Producer, Writer |
| Under Ten Flags | 1960 | Screenplay - Originally uncredited |
| Torment of Love | 1956 | Director Writer |
| Monsoon | 1952 | Writer |
| Kiss the Blood off My Hands | 1948 | Writer |
| Portrait of Jennie | 1948 | Adaptation |
| The Lost Moment | 1947 | Writer |
| The Bishop's Wife | 1947 | Writer |
| Moss Rose | 1947 | Contributor to screenplay construction - uncredited |
| Chasing Danger | 1939 | Story |
| Racket Busters | 1938 | Original screenplay |
| Prison Train | 1938 | Story |
Television
| Title | Year | Episode | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Story | 1976 | "Payment Deferred" | Story |
| Ironside | 1975 | "A Matter of Life or Death | Story |
| Petrocelli | 1974 | "The Golden Cage | Story |
| The Streets of San Francisco | 1974 | "Cry Help!" | Story |
| Police Story | 1974 | "Fathers and Sons" | Story |
| TV de Vanguarda | 1955 | "O Momento Perdido" | Undetermined |
Theatre
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabrielle | 1941 | Written by | Based on Tristan by Thomas Mann) |
| The Holmeses of Baker Street | 1936-1937 | Adapted by | |
| Substitute for Murder | 1935 | Written by |