Robert Lucas (writer)

Robert Lucas (born January 27, 1904, Chicago, Illinois, USA; died December 1996, London, England) was an American-born screenwriter, playwright, and novelist. He is best known for his screenwriting work during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Lucas began his writing career in the theater, writing and producing several plays in Chicago. He later moved to Hollywood and became a prolific screenwriter, contributing to a wide range of films, including dramas, comedies, and thrillers. While often uncredited, his contributions were known throughout the studio system.

Notable works include contributions to the screenplays of The Sea Hawk (1940) and Casablanca (1942), though his involvement in the latter is often debated and sometimes uncredited officially. He also penned original screenplays and adaptations for B-movies and serials.

Later in life, Lucas relocated to London where he continued to write, focusing primarily on novels. He remained relatively obscure despite his extensive body of work. His legacy rests mainly on his contributions to classic Hollywood films, even those where his credit remains disputed or unacknowledged.