Nathaniel Benchley
Nathaniel Benchley (Nathaniel Goddard Benchley) was born on November 13th, 1915. Nathaniel passed away December 14th, 1981 at 66 years old. Nathaniel Benchley was born in Newton, Massachusetts, USA. Benchley attended Harvard College.
Nathaniel Benchley was an author. His son is Peter Benchley, and his dad is Robert Benchley. He has a younger son, named Nat, who is also a writer and actor that has played his grandpa in a one-man, semi-autobiographical stage show.
He enlisted in the US Navy just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a public relations officer, and on patrol craft and destroyers for North Atlantic convoy duty during the Battle of the Atlantic, later being transferred to the Pacific Theater in 1945.
After the war, he worked for
Newsweek as an assistant drama editor.
Side Street, his debut novel, was published by Harcourt, Brace in 1950. It features some hilarious activities of these two New York City families that live on the East Side of Manhattan close to 60th Street.
Besides writing fiction, he also wrote children’s fiction which provides readers this experience of certain historical settings, animal species, and so on. He also wrote biographies of Humphrey Bogart, which was a friend, and his dad.
Sail a Crooked Ship was adapted as a comedy film of the same name by Columbia in 1961.
The Off-Islanders was adapted into
The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming by Norman Jewison (producer/director) in 1965. ABC aired the made-for-TV drama
Sweet Hostage in 1975, which was based on his 1968 novel called
Welcome to Xanadu.
The Visitors is about the Powell family nearly given up on finding an affordable New England house for them to rent for the summer when this agent shows them the old Twitchell place, which is being offered at quite a suspiciously low price. What everybody in town, but the Powell family, knows is that this place has been haunted ever since Ebenezer Twitchell (that cantankerous sea captain)murdered his mistress and wife and hid their bodies in the cellar.
The ghosts don’t initially seem to be too much of an issue, even though the blood dripping walls and the flying dishes are sort of a nuisance. However once old George shows up for a visit and the ghosts sink his boat, it gets obvious that their intentions are more murderous and that the Powells’ relaxing summer holiday has become a horrible nightmare.
This is a pitch perfect blend of humor and horror with just the right mix of laughs and scares.
It was adapted into
The Spirit Is Willing, a William Castle movie produced by Paramount Pictures.
Nathaniel Benchley: Awards & Accolades
Benchley's book, Only Earth and Sky Last Forever won the Spur Awards, Best Western Juvenile Fiction, in 1972.
Related Authors
The most common authors followed by users who also follow Nathaniel Benchley are:
- Carl Hiaasen, author of the Mick Stranahan Books.
- John Sandford, author of the Prey/Lucas Davenport Series.
- Dean Koontz, author of the Odd Thomas Series.
- Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher Series.
- James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
Nathaniel Benchley: F.A.Q
When was Nathaniel Benchley Born?
Nathaniel Benchley was born on November 13th, 1915.
When did Nathaniel Benchley die?
Nathaniel Benchley died on December 14th, 1981 at 66 years old.
Where was Nathaniel Benchley Born?
Nathaniel Benchley was born in Newton, Massachusetts, USA.
What book awards has Nathaniel Benchley won?
Benchley's book, Only Earth and Sky Last Forever won the award Spur Awards, Best Western Juvenile Fiction, in 1972.
What was the first book Nathaniel Benchley wrote?
The first book written by Nathaniel Benchley was Side Street, published in 1948.
What was the most recent book Nathaniel Benchley wrote?
His most recently released work was Sam the Minuteman: Novel-Ties Study Guide (a short story) on January 1st, 1996.
How many books has Nathaniel Benchley written?
Nathaniel Benchley has written 47 books. 21 Standalone Novels, 3 books in the Non-Fiction Books, 12 books in the Children's Books, 11 books in the I Can Read Series.