Melville Shavelson, 1917 - 2007.

US screenwriter and director Mel Shavelson has died at the age of 90. His 1956 film, The Seven Little Foys, and his 1958 romantic comedy Houseboat were both nominated for Oscars.

He also directed several films including Cast a Giant Shadow, starring Kirk Douglas and Yours, Mine and Ours, starring Lucille Ball. His film career saw him work with a number of famous faces, including Jimmy Cagney and Frank Sinatra, but Houseboat, starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren, arguably remains his best-known film.

The author of two novels and four non-fiction books, Shavelson also served three terms as president of the Writers Guild of America, West.

The BBC.

Updated through 8/13. Posted by: dwhudson    Source