About Allen Adler
Lived 1916 – 1964 (aged 47). Allen Adler was an American screenwriter, novelist, writer, playwright and science fiction writer.
Allen Adler (December 25, 1916 – January 30, 1964) was an American author who was also involved with theater. With Irving Block he wrote the story for the screenplay for the movie Forbidden Planet, based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, but during the Second Red Scare of the 1950s he was blacklisted from the movie industry.
Biography Adler was the son of Abe Adler (a stage manager) who was the son of Yiddish theater actor Jacob Adler by his first wife Sonya ("Sophia") Adler. Per the biography on the back jacket of Adler's novel Mach 1, "He majored in English at New York University, wrote publicity for Robert Ripley of 'Believe It Or Not,', owned a New York theatre at twenty-one, presented touring opera companies, served in the air force in World War II in the Fifth Air Force, Far Eastern Air Force and Thirteenth Bomber Command. He produced a revival of Front Page, has written both original stories and screenplays for the motion pictures."
In addition to Forbidden Planet, Adler has a story credit for the movie The Giant Behemoth (1959).
The New York Times of February 1, 1964, includes Adler's obituary, giving the date of his death as January 30, 1964. It says he was born in New York, the son of Adolf Adler, Yiddish theater manager and owner. He was survived by his widow, the former Mary MacNamara, and two daughters, Pamela and Allison Jo.
Works Mach 1: A Story of Planet Ionus (1957)
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Important facts
People in Allen Adler's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Allen Adler's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Allen Adler?
American writer (1916–1964)
When was Allen Adler born?
Allen Adler was born on 25 December 1916 in New York City.
When did Allen Adler die?
Allen Adler died on 30 January 1964 in New York City.
What was Allen Adler's occupation?
Allen Adler was a screenwriter, novelist, writer, playwright and science fiction writer.
What nationality was Allen Adler?
Allen Adler was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Allen Adler. https://biography.guide/allen-adler/
MLA: "Allen Adler." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/allen-adler/.
Chicago: "Allen Adler." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/allen-adler/.
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