Raphael Blau

Raphael David Blau (August 11, 1912 – March 31, 1996) was an American screenwriter who co-wrote the story for Bedtime for Bonzo (1951), among other film productions.[1]

Blau was raised in New York City and London. His first film credit was for Mother Is a Freshman (1949). Based on seeing research speculation that a chimpanzee might be able to be raised like a human child, he conceived of the Bedtime for Bonzo story. He shared a script with his brother-in-law, Ted Berkman, and becoming partners on this and other projects, both received a story credit for the film.[1][2][3] Fear Strikes Out (1957) about the baseball player Jimmy Piersall brought Blau and Berkman their greatest acclaim.[1]

In 1962, Blau and his wife Helen moved to Nova Scotia. Their son Joel Blau is a professor at Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare in New York.[4][5] Their daughter Deborah Blau is a graphic artist and tour guide who lives in New York City.

  1. ^ a b c Scott, Janny (1 April 1996). Raphael Blau, Writer, 83, Dies; Did 'Bedtime for Bonzo' Story, The New York Times
  2. ^ (21 November 1980). Bonzo hopes to get banana republic post, Leader-Post
  3. ^ Sheff, David (15 December 1980). Two Ex-Screenwriters Turn the 1980 Election into Boomtime for Bonzo and Their Own Bonanza, People (magazine)
  4. ^ Joel, D.S.W., stonybrookmedicalcenter.com, Retrieved February 7, 2012
  5. ^ Blau, Joel. The Visible Poor: Homelessness in the United States (1992) (acknowledgments thank parents Raphael and Helen)