Francine Prose, on writing and reading:

 

Like most – maybe all – writers,
I learned to write by writing and, by example, by reading books.

– Francine Prose.

Born on this day – Edgar Wallace:

Edgar Wallace

Writer

Producer

Director

April 1, 1875 – February 10, 1932

Credits:

Books:
 

A Debt Discharged (1926); A King By Night (1928); A Present for Evans (1924); Again Sanders (1928); Again The Ringer (aka The Ringer Returns) (1929); Again the Three Just Men (aka The Law of the Four Just Men) (1921); Angel Esquire (1908); Barbara on Her Own (1926); Big Foot (1927); Black Cat Weekly #109 (2023); Black Cat Weekly #123 (2024); Black Cat Weekly #21 (2022); Black Cat Weekly #47 (2022); Black Cat Weekly #49 (2022); Black Cat Weekly #54 (2022); Black Cat Weekly #56 (2022); Black Cat Weekly #92 (2023); Blue-Hand (1927); Bones (1915); Bones in London (1921); Bones of the River (1923); Bosambo of the River (1914); Captains of Souls (1923); Circumstantial Evidence (1934); Death Packs a Suitcase (1961); Double Dan (aka Diana of Kara-Kara) (1924); Down Under Donovan (1930); Educated Evans (1924); Eve's Island (1909); Fighting Snub Reilly (1934); Flat 2 (1927); Flying Fifty-five (1922); For Information Received (1929); Four Square Jane (1929); Good Evans (aka The Educated Man) (1924); Great Stories of Real Life (1930); Guilty Creatures (2021); Heroes All (1914); Jack o'Judgment (1920); John Flack (1930); Kate Plus 10 (1917); King Kong (1933); Kitchener's Army and the Territorial Forces (1915); KONG (2023); Lieutenant Bones (1918); Menace of the Monster (2019); More Educated Evans (1924); Mr J. G. Reeder Returns (1932); Mr Justice Maxwell (1927); Murder in the Falling Snow (2022); On the Spot (1931); People (1929); Planetoid 127 (1929); Red Aces (1932); Room 13 (1924); Sanders (aka Mr. Commissioner Sanders) (1926); Sanders of the River (1911); Sandi The Kingmaker (1922); Selected Novels (1985); Sergeant Sir Peter (aka Sergeant Dunn, C.I.D.) (1932); Silinski - Master Criminal (1930); Terror Keep (1927); The Admirable Carfew (1914); The Adventures of Heine (1919); The Angel of Terror (aka The Destroying Angel) (1922); The Avenger (aka The Hairy Arm) (1925); The Big Book of Female Detectives (2018); The Black Abbot (1926); The Book of All Power (1923); The Brigand (1928); The Calendar (1930); The Cheaters (1910); The Clue of the New Pin (1923); The Clue of the Silver Key (aka The Silver Key) (1930); The Clue of the Twisted Candle (1917); The Coat of Arms (aka The Arranways Mystery) (1931); The Council of Justice (1908); The Crimson Circle (1922); The Daffodil Mystery (aka The Daffodil Murder) (1920); The Dark Eyes of London (1929); The Daughters of the Night (1925); The Day of Uniting (1930); The Death Room (1986); The Devil Man (1931); The Door with Seven Locks (1926); The Double (1928); The Duke in the Suburbs (1909); The Face in the Night (1924); The Feathered Serpent (1930); The Fellowship of the Frog (1925); The Flying Squad (1929); The Forger (aka The Clever One) (1927); The Four Just Men (1905); The Fourth Plague (1913); The Frightened Lady (aka The Mystery of the Frightened Lady) (1932); The Ghost of Down Hill (1929); The Golden Hades (1929); The Governor of Chi-Foo (1933); The Green Archer (1926); The Green Mamba (aka The Dangerous Reptile) (1925); The Green Ribbon (1929); The Green Rust (1919); The Gunner (aka Gunman's Bluff (1928); The Guv'nor (aka Mr. Reeder Returns) (1932); The Hand of Power (1930); The India Rubber Men (1929); The Iron Grip (1929); The Joker (aka The Colossus (1926); The Just Men of Cordova (1917); The Keepers of the King's Peace (1917); The Lady of Ascot (1930); The Lone House Mystery (1929); The Man at the Carlton (1931); The Man from Morocco (1926); The Man Who Bought London (1915); The Man Who Knew (1919); The Man Who Was Nobody (1927); The Missing Million (1923); The Mission The Failed (1898); The Mixer (1927); The Murder Book of J.G. Reeder (aka The Mind of Mr J G Reeder) (1925); The Nine Bears (aka The Other Man) (1910); The Northing Tramp (aka The Tramp) (1926); The Orator (1928); The People of the River (1912); The Platform Edge (2019); The Queen of Sheba's Belt (1929); The Ringer (1928); The River of Stars (1913); The Road to London (1986); The Secret House (1917); The Sinister Man (1924); The Sooper (1984); The Square Emerald (aka The Girl from Scotland Yard) (1926); The Squeaker (aka The Squealer) (1927); The Standard History of the War (1914); The Strange Countess (1925); The Terrible People (1928); The Thief in the Night (1930); The Three Just Men (1929); The Three Oak Mystery (1924); The Traitor's Gate (1927); The Twister (1928); The Valley of Ghosts (1922); The War of the Nations (1914); The Yellow Snake (1926); This England (1927); Unofficial Despatches (1901); When the Gangs Came to London (1932).

 

Movies and television:
 

Skull Island: Rise of Kong (2023); FilmToons Logic (2021); King Kong Skull Island (2019); Kong: Skull Island (2017); Le mystère des jonquilles (2014); Banglar King Kong (2010); Kong: Return to the Jungle (2007); The Vexxer (2007); King Kong (2005); The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (2005); Kong: King of Atlantis (2005); Der Engel des Schreckens (2005); Der Wixxer (2004); Das Schloss des Grauens (2002); Kong: The Animated Series (2000); Theater: Der Hexer (1999); The Mighty Kong (1998); Der Blinde (1996); Das Karussell des Todes (1996); Die Katze von Kensington (1996); The Mixer (1992–1993); The Revenge of the Living Dead Girls (1987); King Kong Lives (1986); Kingu Kongu Tsû: Ikari no Megaton Panchi (1986); Das Geheimnis von Lismore Castle (1986); Die Schokoladenschnüffler (1986); Rùzový Hubert (1985); Viaje a Bangkok, ataúd incluido (1985); Voces de Muerte (1983); Sangre en mis zapatos (1983); The Case of the Frightened Lady (1983); Il Camaleonte (1979); The Feathered Serpent (1976–1978); King Kong (1976); Night of the Skull (1974); What Have You Done to Solange? (1972); Seven Blood-Stained Orchids (1972); Il laccio rosso (1971); The Bloodstained Butterfly (1971); The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder (1969–1971); Angels of Terror (1971); The Devil Came from Akasava (1971); Double Face (1969); The Man with the Glass Eye (1969); Gorilla Gang (1968); The Zombie Walks (1968); L'oro di Londra (1968); The Horror of Blackwood Castle (1968); The College Girl Murders (1967); King Kong Escapes (1967); Five Golden Dragons (1967); Creature with the Blue Hand (1967); The Trygon Factor (1966); Der Bucklige von Soho (1966); Psycho-Circus (1966); The Sinister Monk (1965); Again the Ringer (1965); Coast of Skeletons (1965); Face of a Stranger (1964); The Main Chance (1964); Downfall (1964); Das Verrätertor (1964); The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre (1960–1964); The Mysterious Magician (1964); We Shall See (1964); The Curse of the Hidden Vault (1964); Room 13 (1964); The Double (1963); To Have and to Hold (1963); The Set Up (1963); The Rivals (1963); The Partner (1963); Return to Sender (1963); On the Run (1963); Five to One (1963); Accidental Death (1963); Death Drums Along the River (1963); The Indian Scarf (1963); The Black Abbot (1963); Der Hexer (1963); King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963); Der Zinker (1963); Ricochet (1963); Der Fluch der gelben Schlange (1963); Incident at Midnight (1963); Locker Sixty Nine (1962); Backfire! (1962); Death Trap (1962); Solo for Sparrow (1962); Playback (1962); The Inn on the River (1962); Der Hexer (1962); Time to Remember (1962); The Door with Seven Locks (1962); Number Six (1962); Candidate for Murder (1962); Secret of the Red Orchid (1962); The Share Out (1962); Flat Two (1962); The Sinister Man (1961); The Fourth Square (1961); Clue of the Silver Key (1961); Never Back Losers (1961); Man Detained (1961); Attempt to Kill (1961); Partners in Crime (1961); Noita (1961); The Strange Countess (1961); The Forger of London (1961); The Devil's Daffodil (1961); Clue of the New Pin (1961); Dead Eyes of London (1961); Der grüne Bogenschütze (1961); Marriage of Convenience (1960); Clue of the Twisted Candle (1960); The Man Who Was Nobody (1960); Crossroads to Crime (1960); The Terrible People (1960); The Avenger (1960); The Four Just Men (1959–1960); Armchair Theatre (1960); ITV Play of the Week (1956–1960); Urge to Kill (1960); The Red Circle (1960); Face of the Frog (1959); Der Zinker (1959); BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1957–1958); Educated Evans (1957–1958); The Case of the Frightened Lady (1957); Der Mann, der seinen Namen änderte (1956); Der Hexer (1956); Inner Sanctum (1954); Broadway Television Theatre (1953); The Ringer (1952); Danger (1951); Kraft Theatre (1947–1950); The Squeaker (1949); The Case of the Frightened Lady (1948); On the Spot (1948); The Calendar (1948); The Green Pack (1947); The Ringer (1946); The Missing Million (1942); The Green Archer (1940); The Flying Squad (1940); The Frightened Lady (1940); Chamber of Horrors (1940); A Criminal at Large (1939); The Human Monster (1939); The Ringer (1939); The Secret Four (1939); The Missing People (1939); Flying Fifty-Five (1939); The Mysterious Mr. Reeder (1939); Old Bones of the River (1938); The Ringer (1938); The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1936); Smoky Cell (1938); The Phantom Strikes (1938); The Terror (1938); Queen of Crime (1938); The Case of the Frightened Lady (1938); On the Spot (1938); Thank Evans (1938); Dangerous to Know (1938); Mystery of Room 13 (1938); Murder on Diamond Row (1937); The Frog (1937); Strangers on a Honeymoon (1936); Chick (1936); Educated Evans (1936); The Crimson Circle (1936); Prison Breaker (1936); Born to Gamble (1935); Sanders of the River (1935); The Lad (1935); The Feathered Serpent (1934); Giallo (1934); Return of the Terror (1934); Mystery Liner (1934); Der Doppelgänger (1934); Quelqu'un a tué... (1933); The Jewel (1933); Before Dawn (1933); King Kong (1933); Le jugement de minuit (1933); The Ringer (1932); The Flying Squad (1932); Criminal at Large (1932); The Menace (1932); The Old Man (1931); Bachelor's Folly (1931); Der Zinker (1931); The Hound of the Baskervilles (1931); To Oblige a Lady (1931); The Gaunt Stranger (1931); Red Aces (1930); The Squeaker (1930); Should a Doctor Tell? (1930); The Yellow Mask (1930); The Valley of Ghosts (1930); Prince Gabby (1929); The Wrecker (1929); The Clue of the New Pin (1929); Der rote Kreis (1929); The Flying Squad (1929); The Man Who Changed His Name (1928); The Forger (1928); The Terror (1928); The Ringer (1928); The Terrible People (1928); Mark of the Frog (1928); Der große Unbekannte (1927); The Brotherhood (1926); The Green Archer (1925); A Dear Liar (1925); The Flying Fifty-Five (1924); The Diamond Man (1924); Fighting Snub Reilly (1924); Down Under Donovan (1922); The Crimson Circle (1922); Melody of Death (1922); The River of Stars (1921); The Four Just Men (1921); Wanted at Headquarters (1920); Angel Esquire (1919); The Green Terror (1919); Pallard the Punter (1919); The Man Who Bought London (1916); Nurse and Martyr (1915).

Born on this day – Lucille Bogan:

Lucille Bogan

Blues singer

Songwriter

April 1, 1897 – August 10, 1948

Credits:

Albums:

1930s Blues Classics (2010); As Bessie Jackson: Reckless Woman 1927-1935 (Blues Collection Historic Recordings) [feat. Walter Roland] (2006); Complete Recorded Works, Volume 2: March 1930 to 20 July 1933 (1994); Jazz Son's (2022); Lucille Bogan & Walter Roland (1927-1935) (1992); Lucille Bogan (1923-1935) (1989); Lucille Bogan (Bessie Jackson) Vol. 1 [1923-1930] (1993); Lucille Bogan (Bessie Jackson) Vol. 2 [1930-1933] (1993); Lucille Bogan (Bessie Jackson) Vol. 3 (1934-1935) (2005); Outspoken (2015); Reckless Woman (2013); Reckless Woman: 1927-1935 (2000); Shave 'Em Dry: The Best of Lucille Bogan (2004).

Movies and television:

Bessie (2015); Cover Your Ears (2023); Fried Green Tomatoes (1991); Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers (1980); History of Swear Words (2021); No Vacancy (1999); The Blues (2003); The Cotton Club (1984).

Born on this day – Melville Shavelson:

 

Melville Shavelson

Director

Producer

Writer, April 1, 1917 – August 8, 2007

Born on this day – Anne McCaffrey:

Anne McCaffrey

Writer

April 1, 1926 – November 21, 2011

Credits:

Books:

2041 (1991); A Diversity of Dragons (1996); A Dragon Lover's Treasury of the Fantastic (1994); A Gift of Dragons (2002); A Time When (1975); A Woman's Liberation (2001); A Yuletide Universe (2003); Acorna (1997); Acorna's People (1999); Acorna's Quest (1998); Acorna's Rebels (2003); Acorna's Search (2001); Acorna's Triumph (2004); Acorna's World (1999); Alchemy and Academe (1970); All the Weyrs of Pern (1991); An Exchange of Gifts (1995); Analog's Children of the Future (1982); Angels of Darkness (1995); Animal Brigade 3000 (1994); Black Horses for the King (1996); Camelot (1995); Carmen Miranda's Ghost Is Haunting Space Station Three (1990); Catacombs (2010); Catalyst (2009); Cats in Space (1992); Changelings (2005); Christmas Stars (1992); Confederacy of the Dead (1993); Continuum 1 (1974); Continuum 2 (1974); Continuum 3 (1974); Continuum 4 (1976); Cooking Out Of This World (1973); Creatures of the Cosmos (1977); Crisis on Doona (1992); Crystal Line (1992); Crystal Singer (1982); Damia (1992); Damia's Children (1993); Dancing with the Dark (1997); Dangerous Interfaces (1990); David Copperfield's Beyond Imagination (1996); Decision at Doona (1967); Deluge (2008); Dinosaur Planet (1978); Dinosaur Planet Survivors (1984); Don't Forget Your Spacesuit, Dear (1996); Dragon Harper (2007); Dragon Tales (1982); Dragondrums (1979); Dragonflight (1968); Dragonholder (1999); Dragonquest (1971); Dragons (1997); Dragon's Fire (2006); Dragon's Kin (2003); Dragon's Time (2011); Dragonsdawn (1988); DragonsEye / aka Red Star Rising (1996); Dragonsinger (1977); Dragonsong (1976); Duty Calls (1988); Emerald Eye (2005); Fantastic Creatures (1981); Far Horizons (1999); First Warning (2005); Freedom's Challenge (1998); Freedom's Choice (1997); Freedom's Landing (1995); Freedom's Ransom (2002); Future Crimes (2021); Future Love (1977); Future Quest (1973); Futurelove (1978); Generation Warriors (1991); Get Off the Unicorn (1977); Great Writers and Kids Write Spooky Stories (1995); Habit Is an Old Horse (1984); Heads to the Storm (1989); If Wishes Were Horses (1998); Killashandra (1985); L Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume II (1986); L Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XIV (1998); L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 33 (2017); Legends (1998); Legends 2 (1999); Legends II: Shadows, Gods, and Demons (2004); Lightspeed: Year One (2011); Lyon's Pride (1994); Maelstrom (2006); Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder (1989); Moonsinger's Friends (1985); Moreta (1983); Mothers And Daughters (1998); Nebula Award Stories 3 (1967); Nebula Award Stories 4 (1968); Nebula Awards Showcase 2006 (2006); Nerilka's Story (1986); Nerilka's Story / Coelura (1987); New Destinies, Vol. VIII (1989); New Eves (1994); Nimisha's Ship (1998); No One Noticed the Cat (1996); Omega (1973); Once upon a Time (1991); Partnership (1992); Pegasus in Flight (1990); Pegasus in Space (2000); Power Lines (1994); Power Play (1992); Powers That Be (1993); Rescue Run (1991); Restoree (1967); Ring of Fear (1971); Sassinak (1990); Science Fiction A to Z (1982); Science Fiction Today And Tomorrow (1974); Second Wave (2006); Sense of Wonder (2023); Serve It Forth (1996); Sky Dragons (2012); Space 6 (1980); Space Opera (1996); Space Opera (1996); Spaceworlds (2021); Starships (1983); Stitch in Snow (1985); Sworn Allies (1990); Ten Tomorrows (1973); The Ascent of Wonder (1994); The Atlas of Pern (1984); The Best Military Science Fiction of the 20th Century (1997); The Best of the Nebulas (1989); The Best of Writers of the Future (1992); The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (1993); The City Who Fought (1993); The Coelura (1983); The Death of Sleep (1990); The Dolphins' Bell (1993); The Dolphins of Pern (1994); The Fleet (1988); The Girl Who Heard Dragons (1985); The Great SF Stories 23 (1991); The Hugo Winners: Volume 2, Part 2 (1973); The Kilternan Legacy (1975); The Lady / aka Carradyne Touch (1987); The Last Dangerous Visions (2024); The Mark of Merlin (1971); The Masterharper of Pern (1998); The Penguin Book of Modern Fantasy by Women (1995); The People of Pern (1988); The Renegades of Pern (1989); The Rowan (1990); The Ship Avenged (1997); The Ship Errant (1996); The Ship Who Sang (1969); The Ship Who Searched (1992); The Ship Who Won (1994); The Skies of Pern (2000); The Tower and the Hive (1999); The Ultimate Alien (1995); The Venus Factor (1972); The White Dragon (1979); The Worlds of Anne McCaffrey (1981); The Year of the Lucy (1986); Third Watch (2007); Three Gothic Novels (1991); Three Women (1992); Time Wars (1986); To Ride Pegasus (1973); Top Fantasy (1984); Top Science Fiction (1984); Total War (1990); Treasures of Fantasy (1997); Treaty at Doona / aka aka Treaty Planet (1994); Visions of Fantasy (1989); Visions of Wonder (1996); Wings of Fire (2010); Women of Futures Past (2016); Women of Wonder (1995); Wondrous Beginnings (2003); Young Demons (1972).

Television and video:

Dragonriders: Chronicles of Pern (2001); Freedom: First Resistance (2000); Time Out of Mind (1979).

Born on this day – Jonathan Haze:

 

Jonathan Haze

Actor

Writer

Production Manager

April 1, 1929 – November 2, 2024

Credits:

100 Years of Horror (1996); 11th Victim (1979); 77 Sunset Strip (1959 / 1960); A Story of Little Shop of Horrors (1987); Another Nice Mess (1972); Apache Woman (1955); Bayou (1957); Blood Bath (1966); Carnival Rock (1957); Castle Blood Midnight Monster Hop (2006); Catalina C-Lab (1982); Cell 2455, Death Row (1955); Childish Things (1969); Cimarron City (1958); Cinemassacre's Monster Madness (2015); Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011); Day the World Ended (1955); Dementia (1955); Dragnet (1956); East of Eden (1955); Female Jungle (1955); Five Guns West (1955); Flesh and the Spur (1956); Forbidden Island (1959); Ghost of the China Sea (1958); Gunslinger (1956); Highway Patrol (1955); Horrible Horror (1986); Howard (2018); I Led 3 Lives (1956); Invasion of the Star Creatures (1962); Invisible Mom II (1999); It Conquered the World (1956); Medium Cool (1969); Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954); Mummenschanz (1978); Naked Paradise (1957); Navy Log (1956); Nobody Smiling (2010); Not of This Earth (1957); Overland Trail (1960); Rock All Night (1957); Special Collector's Edition (2013); Stakeout on Dope Street (1958); Swamp Women (1956); Teenage Cave Man (1958); That Guy Dick Miller (2014); The Angry Beavers (1998); The Beast with a Million Eyes (1955); The Born Losers (1967); The Californians (1959); The Fast and the Furious (1954); The Little Shop of Horrors (1960); The Oklahoma Woman (1956); The Phantom Eye (1999); The Premature Burial (1962); The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957); The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967); The Terror (1963); Vice Squad (1982); X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963).

Born on this day – Grace Lee Whitney:

Grace Lee Whitney

Actress

Singer

April 1, 1930 – May 1, 2015

Credits:

The Captains (2011); Bring Back... Star Trek (2009); Star Trek: Of Gods and Men (2007); Star Trek Phase II (2007); Sci Fi Visionaries (2004); Nobody's Perfect - The Making of Some Like It Hot (2001); Spotlight on Grace Lee Whitney (2000); Trekkies (1997); Star Trek: Voyager (1996); Diagnosis Murder (1993); Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991); Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986); Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984); The Kid with the 200 I.Q. (1983); Hart to Hart (1980); Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979); The Next Step Beyond (1978); Cannon (1974); The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (1970); Death Valley Days (1962–1969); The Name of the Game (1969); The Outsider (1969); The Virginian (1963–1968); The Big Valley (1968); Mannix (1968); Cimarron Strip (1968); The Magical World of Disney (1968); Police Story (1967); Ironside (1967); Rango (1967); Batman (1967); Run for Your Life (1965–1967); Today (1966); Star Trek (1966); Mona McCluskey (1965); No Time for Sergeants (1965); Valentine's Day (1964); Bewitched (1964); Temple Houston (1964); Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1964); Wagon Train (1964); Arrest and Trial (1964); The Outer Limits (1964); Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963); The Man from Galveston (1963); 77 Sunset Strip (1961–1963); Irma la Douce (1963); The Untouchables (1962–1963); Critic's Choice (1963); King of Diamonds (1962); Sam Benedict (1962); The Eleventh Hour (1962); Ensign O'Toole (1962); Surfside 6 (1961–1962); The New Breed (1962); Frontier Circus (1962); A Public Affair (1962); The Rifleman (1962); Gunsmoke (1962); Hawaiian Eye (1962); The Detectives (1961–1962); The Roaring 20's (1961–1962); Hennesey (1961); Pocketful of Miracles (1961); General Electric Theater (1961); The Real McCoys (1961); Michael Shayne (1961); Peter Loves Mary (1961); The Islanders (1961); Bat Masterson (1961); Zane Grey Theatre (1961); Overland Trail (1960); Some Like It Hot (1959); The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1958); Flight (1958); The Naked and the Dead (1958); Mike Hammer (1958); The Walter Winchell File (1958); Top Banana (1954).