Paul Osborn

Paul Osborn (September 4, 1901 – May 12, 1988) was an American playwright and screenwriter best known for writing the screen adaptation of East of Eden as well as South Pacific, The Yearling, The World of Suzie Wong and Sayonara.

Born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Osborn went on to graduate from the University of Michigan and later to study at Yale University. He made his debut in 1928 with the play Hotbed. In 1930, he found success on Broadway with The Vinegar Tree. His 1939 original comedic play, Morning's at Seven, became one of Osborn's most enduring original works. It has been presented on television but never filmed. Revived in 1980, it would be hailed by Harold Clurman as "one of the best American comedies."

Another popular, more frequently revived Osborn play is the 1938 On Borrowed Time, which was made into an MGM film starring Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke and Bobs Watson.

Osborn received a Tony award for best Broadway revival in 1980 for his play about four sisters, Morning's at Seven, which originally opened on Broadway in 1939. He received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement in 1982.