Louis M. "Deke" Heyward (born Louis Mortimere Horowitz, June 24, 1920 – March 26, 2002) was an American producer and film and television screenwriter.

Life and career

Born in New York City to Henry Horowitz and Rose Klein, immigrants from Hungary, Heyward intended to become a lawyer but started writing radio scripts part-time. He attended

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then- Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin. In 1832, ...

and Brooklyn Law School. He then served in the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

for six years. In 1942, he was a lieutenant stationed at

Midland Army Flying School Midland Army Airfield is a former World War II military airfield, located 8.4 miles west-southwest of Midland, Texas. It operated as a Bombardier training school for the United States Army Air Forces from 1942 until 1945. History Origins ...

in Midland, Texas and was a bombardier instructor. In May 1943, he transferred to the bombardier school at

Webb Air Force Base Webb Air Force Base , previously named Big Spring Air Force Base, was a United States Air Force facility of the Air Training Command that operated from 1951 to 1977 in West Texas within the current city limits of Big Spring. Webb AFB was a majo ...

in Big Spring, Texas. After serving in the Army Air Forces, he resumed writing for radio while working at

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. n ...

. He changed his last name to Heyward in 1946. In 1947 he was appointed head of television and radio at Mogul.

Writer

After he changed his name, he became a full-time comedy writer, providing scripts for eight seasons (1950–1958) of ''

The Garry Moore Show ''The Garry Moore Show'' is the name for several separate American variety series on the CBS television network in the 1950s and 1960s. Hosted by experienced radio performer Garry Moore, the series helped launch the careers of many comedic tale ...

''. He also wrote material for ''

The Ernie Kovacs Show ''The Ernie Kovacs Show'' was an American comedy show hosted by comedian Ernie Kovacs, first shown in Philadelphia during the early 1950s, then nationally. The show appeared in many versions and formats, including daytime, prime-time, late-night ...

'', eventually becoming head writer for that series and winning a

Sylvania Award The Sylvania Awards were given by the television manufacturer Sylvania Electric Products for various categories of television performance, broadcasting, scripts, music and other aspects of production between 1951 and 1959. In their day they rivaled ...

for comedy writing. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1957. Heyward wrote scripts for ''

Winky Dink and You ''Winky Dink and You'' was a CBS children's television show that aired from 1953 to 1957, on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Eastern / 9:30 Central. It was hosted by Jack Barry and featured the exploits of a cartoon character named Winky D ...

'', a children's show hosted by Jack Barry that ran on CBS from 1953 – 1957, that was created by Harry Prichett and Edwin Brit Wyckoff. The show is considered one of the first interactive TV shows. He worked on ''

The Dick Clark Show ''The Dick Clark Show'' (also known as ''Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show'') was an American musical variety show broadcast weekly in the United States on the ABC television network 7:30-8 p.m. (Eastern Time) on Saturdays from February 1 ...

'' (1960) as a writer and producer.

American International Pictures

In the early 1960s, Heyward relocated to Los Angeles and worked various executive positions at

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film studio, film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm o ...

Music Corporation of America MCA Inc. (originally an initialism for Music Corporation of America) was an American media conglomerate founded in 1924. Originally a talent agency with artists in the music business as clients, the company became a major force in the film ind ...

, and

Four Star Television Four Star Television, also called Four Star International, was an American television production company. Founded in 1952 as Four Star Productions by prominent Hollywood actors Dick Powell, David Niven, Charles Boyer, and Joel McCrea, it was in ...

. His production experience at Fox and MCA and his proven penchant for comedy was noticed by

James H. Nicholson James Harvey Nicholson (September 14, 1916 – December 10, 1972) was an American film producer. He is best known as the co-founder, with Samuel Z. Arkoff, of American International Pictures. Early life Nicholson was born on September 14, 19 ...

American International Pictures American International Pictures (AIP) is an American motion picture production label of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In its original operating period, AIP was an independent film production and distribution company known for producing and releasing fil ...

who asked Heyward if he was interested in writing a comedy for the studio. Heyward's first credit for American International Pictures was '' Pajama Party'' (1964), one of many Beach Party films made by the company. Heyward would subsequently write several more similar teen-themed AIP comedies, as well as

horror films Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

and science fiction thrillers. His best known work includes '' Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine''. Heyward also began to be involved on the production side of things for AIP.

Head of American International Pictures London

In 1966, Heyward was made AIP's Director of Overseas Productions, and set up a London-based office of operations in 1967. He produced several European and

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English ...

films from 1967–1972, all co-financed by AIP with Heyward maintaining a degree of control over the various productions in order to ensure the movies were suitable for release in both the U.S. and European markets. In this capacity, he assisted in the production of some of AIP's most critically acclaimed and profitable films of that period, including

Michael Reeves Michael Reeves (17 October 1943 – 11 February 1969) was an English film director and screenwriter. He is best remembered for the 1968 film '' Witchfinder General'' (known in the US as ''Conqueror Worm''). A few months after the film's re ...

's '' Witchfinder General'' (1968), ''

The Abominable Dr. Phibes ''The Abominable Dr. Phibes'' is a 1971 British dark comedy horror film, produced by Ronald S. Dunas and Louis M. Heyward, directed by Robert Fuest, written by William Goldstein and James Whiton, and starring Vincent Price and Joseph Cotten. It ...

'' (1971), and ''

Dr. Phibes Rises Again ''Dr. Phibes Rises Again'' is a 1972 British horror-dark comedy film, produced by Louis M. Heyward, directed by Robert Fuest, that stars Vincent Price and Robert Quarry. The film is a sequel to ''The Abominable Dr. Phibes'' (1971). After seeki ...

'' (1972), all starring

Vincent Price Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor, art historian, art collector and gourmet cook. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. Price has two stars on the Hollywood Wa ...

. He left AIP in 1972.

Later years with
Four Star International Four Star Television, also called Four Star International, was an American television production company. Founded in 1952 as Four Star Productions by prominent Hollywood actors Dick Powell, David Niven, Charles Boyer, and Joel McCrea, it was insp ...
and
Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ) was an American animation studio and production company which was active from 1957 to 2001. It was founded on July 7, 1957, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera following the decision of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer t ...

After his AIP days, Heyward served as Vice President of Development for

Four Star International Four Star Television, also called Four Star International, was an American television production company. Founded in 1952 as Four Star Productions by prominent Hollywood actors Dick Powell, David Niven, Charles Boyer, and Joel McCrea, it was insp ...

while it was led by David Charnay. While Heyward was with Charnay, he gained the vital leadership experience and contacts to then become a Senior Vice President for

Hanna-Barbera Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc. ( ) was an American animation studio and production company which was active from 1957 to 2001. It was founded on July 7, 1957, by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera following the decision of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer t ...

, where he was in charge of live programming and movies of the week. After his time with Hanna-Barbera, Heyward became Vice President in Charge of Development for Barry & Enright Productions, a game show and TV-movie production company run by Jack Barry and

Dan Enright Daniel Enright (né Ehrenreich; August 30, 1917 – May 22, 1992) was an American television producer, primarily of game shows. Enright worked with Jack Barry from the 1940s until Barry's death in 1984. They were partners in creating programs for ...

. He served as Executive Producer of the company's popular ''

Tic Tac Dough ''Tic-Tac-Dough'' is an American television game show based on the paper-and-pencil game of tic-tac-toe. Contestants answer questions in various categories to put up their respective symbol, ''X'' or ''O'', on the board. Three versions were pro ...

''.

Personal life

Heyward died of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severi ...

on March 26, 2002 in Los Angeles. He was survived by a wife, Sandra, children Patti and Andy, and three grandchildren, Robert, Michael, and Bianca.

Andy Andy may refer to: People * Andy (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Horace Andy (born 1951), Jamaican roots reggae songwriter and singer born Horace Hinds *Katja Andy (1907–2013), German-American pianist and pian ...

was known as the chairman and chief executive officer of animation studio,

DiC Entertainment DIC Entertainment Corporation (; also known as DIC Audiovisuel, DIC Enterprises, DIC Animation City, DIC Entertainment, L.P., and DIC Productions), branded as The Incredible World of DIC, was an international film and television production comp ...

, until its June 20, 2008 acquisition by and subsequent folding into

Cookie Jar Group Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. (also known as Cookie Jar Group and originally known as CINAR; renamed as DHX Cookie Jar Inc. from 2012 until 2014, or simply just Cookie Jar) was a Canadian media (communication), media production and distribution ...

Select filmography

*''

'' (1950s) (TV series) - writer *''

'' (1950s) (TV series) - writer, producer *'' The Big Fun Carnival'' (1957) - writer, producer *''

77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American television private detective drama series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each episode was on ...

'' (TV series) - writer *''

'' (1959) (TV series) - producer *'' Pajama Party'' (1964) - writer *''

War Gods of the Deep ''City Under the Sea'' (released as ''War-Gods of the Deep'' in the US) is a 1965 British-American adventure film, adventure horror film, horror science fiction film. It was directed by Jacques Tourneur (his final film) and starred Vincent Price ...

'' (1965) - writer *''

Sergeant Deadhead ''Sergeant Deadhead'' is a 1965 musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Frankie Avalon. It features many cast members who appeared in the ''Beach Party'' movies. Plot Sergeant Deadhead is a bumbling soldier who is sent to the g ...

'' (1965) - writer *''

Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' is a 1965 American International Pictures comedy film, made in Pathécolor, directed by Norman Taurog. It stars Vincent Price, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart and Jack Mullaney, and features Fre ...

'' (1965) - writer *''

Planet of the Vampires ''Planet of the Vampires'' ( it, Terrore nello Spazio, lit=Terror in Space) is a 1965 Italian-Spanish science fiction horror film, produced by Fulvio Lucisano, directed by Mario Bava, that stars Barry Sullivan and Norma Bengell. The screenplay, ...

'' (1965) - writer *''

Spy in Your Eye ''Berlin, Appointment for the Spies'' (Italian language, Italian: ''Berlino - Appuntamento per le spie'') is a 1965 Italy, Italian Eurospy film directed by Vittorio Sala and starring Dana Andrews. The film is also known as ''Bang You're Dead''. ...

'' (1965) - executive producer, writer *''

Die, Monster, Die! ''Die, Monster, Die!'' (British title: ''Monster of Terror'') is a 1965 science fiction horror film directed by Daniel Haller, and starring Boris Karloff, Nick Adams, Freda Jackson, and Suzan Farmer. Its plot follows an American man who, whi ...

''(1965) - producer (uncredited) *''

The Wild Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot ''The Wild Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot'' was a 30-minute TV special which was a sequel to '' Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' (1965). It aired on ABC as an episode of '' Shindig!'' in November 1965. Plot Dr. Goldfoot and his assistant Hug ...

'' (1965) (TV special) - writer, producer *''

War Italian Style ''Due marines e un generale'' (translated: ''Two Marines and a General'', internationally released as ''War Italian Style'') is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Scattini. The film puts together the famous Italian comic duo Franco and Ci ...

'' (1965) - executive producer *''

Bang! Bang! You're Dead! ''Our Man in Marrakesh'' (released in North America as ''Bang! Bang! You're Dead!'') is a 1966 British comedy spy film shot in Morocco produced and co-written by Harry Alan Towers, directed by Don Sharp and starring Tony Randall, Herbert Lom an ...

'' (1966) producer _uncredited) *''

Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs'' (Italian: ''Le spie vengono dal semifreddo'', lit. "The spies who came in from the cool") is a 1966 Eurospy comedy film, made in Technicolor and directed by Mario Bava. Serving as a sequel to two unrelated fil ...

'' (1966) - writer, producer *''

The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini ''Ghost in the Invisible Bikini'' is the seventh and last of American International Pictures' beach party films. Released in 1966, the film features the cast cavorting in and around a haunted house and the adjacent swimming pool. No beach appea ...

'' (1966) - writer *''

The Glass Sphinx ''The Glass Sphinx'' ( it, La sfinge d'oro) is an Italian-American 1967 adventure film directed by Luigi Scattini.Those Fantastic Flying Fools ''Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon'' is a 1967 Eastman color British science fiction comedy film directed by Don Sharp and starring Burl Ives, Troy Donahue, Gert Fröbe and Terry-Thomas. It was released in the US as ''Those Fantastic Flying Foo ...

'' (1967) - producer (uncredited) *''

House of 1,000 Dolls ''The House of 1,000 Dolls'' is a 1967 Harry Alan Towers German-Spanish international co-production white slavery thriller starring Vincent Price. It has been described as "quite possibly the sleaziest movie AIP ever made". The film is set in Ta ...

'' (1967) - executive producer *'' Witchfinder General'' (1968) - producer, writer additional scenes *''

The Crimson Cult ''Curse of the Crimson Altar'' is a 1968 British horror film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Christopher Lee, Boris Karloff, Barbara Steele and Mark Eden. The film was produced by Louis M. Heyward for Tigon British Film Productions. T ...

'' (1968) - producer, writer *''

Rio 70 Rio or Río is the Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Maltese word for " river". When spoken on its own, the word often means Rio de Janeiro, a major city in Brazil. Rio or Río may also refer to: Geography Brazil * Rio de Janeiro * Rio do Sul, ...

'' (1969) - producer (uncredited) *'' The Oblong Box'' (1969) - executive producer *''

Horror House ''The Haunted House of Horror'', also titled ''Horror House'' and ''The Dark'', is a 1969 British horror film directed by Michael Armstrong and starring Frankie Avalon and Jill Haworth as young adults looking for a thrill by spending the nigh ...

'' (1969) - producer (uncredited) *'' De Sade'' (1969) - executive producer *''

Scream and Scream Again ''Scream and Scream Again'' is a 1970 British science fiction conspiracy thriller film starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Alfred Marks, Michael Gothard, and Peter Cushing. It is based on the novel ''The Disorientated Man'' (1967) attri ...

'' (1970) - executive producer *''

The Vampire Lovers ''The Vampire Lovers'' is a 1970 British Gothic horror film directed by Roy Ward Baker and starring Ingrid Pitt, Peter Cushing, George Cole, Kate O'Mara, Madeline Smith, Dawn Addams and Jon Finch. It was produced by Hammer Film Productions. ...

'' (1970) - associate producer (uncredited) *''

Cry of the Banshee ''Cry of the Banshee'' is a 1970 British horror film directed by Gordon Hessler and starring Vincent Price as an evil witchhunter. The film was released by American International Pictures. The film costars Elisabeth Bergner, Hilary Dwyer, and ...

'' (1970) - producer *''

Wuthering Heights ''Wuthering Heights'' is an 1847 novel by Emily Brontë, initially published under her pen name Ellis Bell. It concerns two families of the landed gentry living on the West Yorkshire moors, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their turbulent r ...

'' (1970) - executive producer *''

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? ''Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?'' (U.S. title: ''Who Slew Auntie Roo?'') is a 1972 horror-thriller film directed by Curtis Harrington and starring Shelley Winters, Mark Lester, and Sir Ralph Richardson. Based partly on the fairy tale "Hansel and Gr ...

'' (1970) - executive producer *'' Dagmar's Hot Pants'' (1971) - writer *''

'' (1971) - producer *'' Murdes in the Rue Morgue'' (1971) - producer *''

'' (1972) - producer *''

Tales of the Haunted Tales may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Tales'' (album), a 1995 album by Marcus Miller * ''Tales'' (film), a 2014 Iranian film * ''Tales'' (TV series), an American television series * ''Tales'' (video game), a 2016 point-and-click adventure ...

'' (1981) (TV movie) - writer *''

'' (1990s) (TV series) - producer

Productions Made While Executive in Charge of Production at Hanna-Barbera

*'' Yabba Dabba Doo! The Happy World of Hanna-Barbera'' (1977) - documentary *'' The Gathering'' (1977) (TV movie) *''All-Star Comedy Ice Revue'' (1978) (TV special) *'' Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park'' (1978) *''

Legends of the Superheroes ''Legends of the Superheroes'' is an umbrella title for two 60-minute live-action television specials produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions that aired on NBC on January 18 and 25, 1979. The series was loosely based on Hanna-Barbera's ''Super Frie ...

'' (1979) (TV series) *''

C.H.O.M.P.S. ''C.H.O.M.P.S.'' is a 1979 American comic science fiction Children's film, family film produced by Hanna-Barbera, Hanna-Barbera Productions and directed by Don Chaffey. Plot Brian Foster (Wesley Eure), a young inventor, creates a robotic dog fo ...

'' (1979)

Novels

*''Grandpa and the Girls'' (1960) *''My Son the Doctor'' (1963)Books Today: Fiction General New York Times 3 Oct 1963: 32.

References

External links

*
Louis M. Heyward
at

BFI The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

Louis M. Heyward
at

TCMDB Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heyward, Louis M. 1920 births 2002 deaths 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American screenwriters American comedy writers Film producers from New York (state) American male screenwriters Television producers from New York City Screenwriters from New York (state) Brooklyn Law School alumni New York University alumni United States Army Air Forces officers