Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Wells Root

Wells Crosby Root was an American screenwriter and lecturer. In the mid-1930s he was involved with the Screen Writers Guild and in the 1950s the University of Southern California asked him to teach Film and Television Writing Technique, where he worked during the next twenty years. He co-authored the 1939 comedy play As You Are with Hugh Mills.

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Wells Root
Born(1900-03-21)March 21, 1900
Buffalo, New York
DiedMarch 9, 1993(1993-03-09) (aged 92)
Los Angeles
OccupationsScreenwriter and lecturer

Wells Crosby Root (March 21, 1900 – March 9, 1993) was an American screenwriter and lecturer. In the mid-1930s he was involved with the Screen Writers Guild and in the 1950s the University of Southern California asked him to teach Film and Television Writing Technique, where he worked during the next twenty years.1 He co-authored the 1939 comedy play As You Are with Hugh Mills.

Filmography

Films

Year Film Credit Notes
1928 Varsity Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Howard Estabrook" and "George Marion Jr."
1930 Peacock Alley Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Frances Hyland" and "Carey Wilson"
Chasing Rainbows Screenplay By Based on the story "Road Show" By "Robert Hopkins" and "Bess Meredyth", Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Al Boasberg", "Kenyon Nicholson", and "Charles Reisner"
The Rogue Song Suggested By
The Storm Written By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "John Huston", "Charles Logue", and "Tom Reed"
1931 Politics Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Robert E. Hopkins"
The Prodigal Story By, Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Bess Meredyth"
1932 Tiger Shark Screenplay By
Bird of Paradise Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Wanda Tuchock" and "Leonard Praskins"
1933 I Cover the Waterfront Screenplay By Based on the novel "I Cover the Waterfront" by Max Miller
Night Flight Screenplay By (Uncredited)
Racetrack Story By Co-Wrote Story with "J. Walter Ruben"
1934 Black Moon Screenplay By Based on a short story By "Clements Ripley"
Flirtation Written By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Leo Birinski"
Stingaree Screenplay By Based on the novel by "E.W. Hornung", Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Becky Gardiner", "Garrett Fort", "Agnes Christine Johnston", and "Dwight Taylor"
Paris Interlude Screenplay By Based on the play "Paris Interlude" By S. J. Perelman And Laura Perelman
1935 Public Hero ﹟1 Screenplay By, Story By Co-Wrote Story with "J. Walter Ruben"
Shadow Of Doubt Screenplay By Based on the novel by "Arthur Somers Roche"
Pursuit Screenplay By Based on a story By "Lawrence G. Blochman"
1936 The Bold Caballero Written By, Directed By
The Beloved Vagabond Screenplay By
Sworn Enemy Screenplay By
1937 The Prisoner of Zenda Screenplay By Based on the novel of the same name by "Anthony Hope", Co-Wrote Screenplay with "John L. Balderston", "Edward Rose", "Donald Ogden Stewart", "Ben Hecht", and "Sidney Howard"
1939 Man of Conquest Written By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Harold Shumate", "Jan Isbell Fortune", and "Edward E. Paramore Jr."
Sergeant Madden Screenplay By
Thunder Afloat Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Harvey S. Haislip"
1940 Flight Command Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Harvey S. Haislip"
1941 The Bad Man Screenplay By Based on the play By "Porter Emerson Browne"
The Get-Away Screenplay By, Story By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "W. R. Burnett" and "J. Walter Ruben"
Turned Out Nice Again Screenplay By
1942 Mokey Screenplay By, Directed By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Jan Fortune"
Tennessee Johnson Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "John L. Balderston"
1943 The Man from Down Under Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Tom Seller"
Salute to the Marines Screenplay By
1948 As You Are Screenplay By
Movies Are Adventures Story By (Uncredited) Short
1951 The Cinematographer Story By (Uncredited)
Red Fury Written By
Stronghold Written By
1952 The Prisoner Of Zenda Story By
1954 Magnificent Obsession Screenplay By Based on the novel "Magnificent Obsession" by "Lloyd C. Douglas", Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Sarah Y. Mason", "Victor Heerman", and "
1957 Hell Ship Mutiny Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "DeVallon Scott"
1961 Secret of Deep Harbor Screenplay by Based on the novel by "Max Miller", Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Owen Harris"
1966 Texas Across the River Screenplay By Co-Wrote Screenplay with "Harold Greene" and "Ben Starr"

Television

Year TV Series Credit Notes
1951–55 Fireside Theatre Writer 7 Episodes
1952 Adventures Of Superman Writer 1 Episode
1954–55 Captain Midnight Writer 6 Episodes
1955 Stage 7 Writer 1 Episode
Tales of the Texas Rangers Writer
TV Reader's Digest Writer 3 Episodes
1955-56 Brave Eagle Writer 3 Episodes
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Writer 2 Episodes
Jungle Jim Writer 2 Episodes
1956 Conflict Writer 1 Episode
Studio 57 Writer 1 Episode
General Electric Theater Writer 1 Episode
1956–57 The Lone Ranger Writer 3 Episodes
1957 Casey Jones Writer 1 Episode
Ford Theatre Writer 1 Episode
Sugarfoot Writer 1 Episode
1957–59 Colt .45 Writer 2 Episodes
1957–62 Cheyenne Writer 5 Episodes
1958-60 Bat Masterson Writer 7 Episodes
Wanted: Dead or Alive Writer 2 Episodes
1959 The Restless Gun Writer 1 Episode
The Deputy Writer 1 Episode
1959–60 Tombstone Territory Writer 3 Episodes
1959–61 Maverick Writer 4 Episodes
1960 Bronco Writer 1 Episode
1961 Laramie Writer 1 Episode
Whiplash Writer 1 Episode
1962 Lawman Writer 1 Episode
1964-65 Combat! Writer 2 Episodes
The Rogues Writer 2 Episodes
1966 Tarzan Writer 1 Episode
References

References

  1. Vosburgh, Dick (10 April 1993). "Obituary: Wells Root". Independent. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
External links