James B. Allardice

James Burns Allardice Jr. (March 20, 1919 – February 15, 1966) was an American television comedy writer of the 1950s and 1960s, best known for his decade-long association with Alfred Hitchcock.

Early life and career

Born in Canton, Ohio, then the College of Wooster, where he was active in theater, collaborating on at least two musical comedies with fellow student, composer James Wise. Following his graduation in 1941, Allardice worked as a reporter for The Canton Repository for approximately one year. At War with the Army ran 151 performances on Broadway in 1949. It was filmed in 1949 and released in 1950 in a production starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Allardice is also known for his collaborations with writing partner Tom Adair on a number of American 1960s TV sitcoms including The Munsters, F Troop, My Three Sons, Gomer Pyle, USMC and Hogan's Heroes. In 1955, Allardice—along with Jack Douglas, Hal Kanter, and Harry Winkler—won an Emmy in the category "Best Written Comedy Material" for his work during the 1954-1955 season on NBC's new comedy series, The George Gobel Show. as well as many speeches for Hitchcock's public engagements.

Personal life and death Following his wartime service, Allardice married Utica, New York native and fellow Wooster alumnus Alice Neff, with whom he would have three children: a son, James, and daughters Jean and Barbara. Survived by his wife and children, as well as his mother and sister, Allardice was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery.