John Bright (screenwriter)

John Bright (August 1, 1908 – September 14, 1989) was an American screenwriter and political activist. He is best known for his work in the crime and social problem film genres of the 1930s and 1940s, often collaborating with Robert Lord.

Bright began his career in the late 1920s as a journalist and short story writer. He moved to Hollywood in the early 1930s, initially writing dialogue for B-movies. His breakthrough came with Public Enemy (1931), co-written with Kubec Glasmon, which launched the careers of James Cagney and Edward Woods. The film’s gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of gang violence established Bright as a voice of social consciousness in Hollywood.

Other notable screenwriting credits include Smart Money (1931), Taxi! (1932), Blonde Crazy (1931), She Couldnt Take It (1935), San Quentin (1937), and The Oklahoma Kid (1939).

Bright was politically active and a member of the Communist Party. This affiliation led to his being blacklisted during the McCarthy era, effectively ending his Hollywood career in the early 1950s. Despite the blacklist, he continued to write under pseudonyms and remained involved in social and political causes. He later worked in other fields, including real estate.

Bright's contributions to early Hollywood cinema are significant, particularly his realistic depiction of social issues and his influence on the gangster film genre. He is remembered for his sharp dialogue, gritty realism, and commitment to social commentary within the framework of commercial filmmaking.