Jay Presson Allen

1922–2006 · American screenwriter, producer, playwright

Jacqueline “Jay” Presson Allen was an American screenwriter, playwright, and novelist. Known for her withering wit and sometimes off-color wisecracks, she was one of the few women making a living as a screenwriter at a time when women were a rarity in the profession. She was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, for Bob Fosse’s Cabaret (1972) and Sidney Lumet’s Prince of the City (1981), among several other accolades.

Jay Presson Allen, in order

1. 1963 Wives and Lovers: wrote · directed by John Rich
2. 1964 Marnie: wrote · directed by Alfred Hitchcock · critics 80%, audiences 72%
3. 1969 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie: wrote · directed by Ronald Neame · critics 81%, audiences 84%
4. 1972 Cabaret: wrote · directed by Bob Fosse · critics 91%, audiences 87% · streaming on Hoopla, TCM, Tubi
5. 1972 Travels with My Aunt: wrote · directed by George Cukor
6. 1975 Funny Lady: wrote · directed by Herbert Ross
7. 1976 A Star Is Born: wrote · directed by Frank Pierson
8. 1976 Family (TV series): created
9. 1980 It's My Turn: produced · directed by Claudia Weill · critics 29%, audiences 25%
10. 1980 Just Tell Me What You Want: wrote · directed by Sidney Lumet · audiences 47%
11. 1981 Prince of the City: wrote · directed by Sidney Lumet · critics 93%, audiences 81%
12. 1982 Deathtrap: wrote · directed by Sidney Lumet · critics 75%, audiences 71% · streaming on Prime Video, YouTube (free)
13. 1982 The Verdict: wrote · directed by Sidney Lumet · critics 87%, audiences 88%
14. 1990 Lord of the Flies: wrote · directed by Harry Hook
15. 1995 The Celluloid Closet: acted · directed by Jeffrey Friedman and Rob Epstein · critics 96%, audiences 89% · streaming on Roku Channel
16. Hothouse (TV series): created