Person
Horace McCoy
Writing · 1897–1955 · Pegram, Tennessee, USA
Biography
Horace Stanley McCoy (1897–1955) was an American novelist whose gritty, hardboiled novels documented the hardships Americans faced during the Depression and post-war periods. McCoy grew up in Tennessee and Texas; after serving in the air force during World War I, he worked as a journalist, film actor, and screenplay writer, and is author of five novels including They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1935) and the noir classic Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1948). Though underappreciated in his own time, McCoy is now recognized as a peer of Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. He died in Beverly Hills, California, in 1955.
Known for

Maverick
Story

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Novel

Dangerous Crossroads
Story

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Novel

Western Union
Dialogue

Undercover Doctor
Writer

Gentleman Jim
Screenplay

Texas Lady
Story

The Lusty Men
Writer

The World in His Arms
Additional Dialogue
Filmography
- 1974No Pockets in a ShroudNovel
- 1969They Shoot Horses, Don't They?Novel
- 1957MaverickStory
- 1955Texas LadyStory
- 1955The Road to DenverScreenplay
- 1955Rage at DawnScreenplay
- 1954Dangerous MissionScreenplay
- 1954Daughters of DestinyWriter
- 1953Bad for Each OtherScreenplay
- 1953El AlaméinWriter
- 1952Montana BelleScreenplay
- 1952The Lusty MenWriter
- 1952The World in His ArmsAdditional Dialogue
- 1952The Turning PointStory
- 1952Bronco BusterScreenplay
- 1950The FireballWriter
- 1950Kiss Tomorrow GoodbyeNovel
- 1947The Fabulous TexanScreenplay
- 1943There's Something About a SoldierWriter
- 1943Appointment in BerlinWriter
- 1943Flight for FreedomStory
- 1942Gentleman JimScreenplay
- 1942Valley of the SunScreenplay
- 1941TexasScreenplay
- 1941Wild Geese CallingWriter
- 1941Western UnionDialogue
- 1940The Texas Rangers Ride AgainWriter
- 1940Queen of the MobScreenplay
- 1940Women Without NamesScreenplay
- 1940Parole FixerScreenplay
- 1939Television SpyWriter
- 1939Island of Lost MenScreenplay
- 1939Undercover DoctorWriter
- 1939Persons in HidingScreenplay
- 1938Hunted MenWriter
- 1938Dangerous to KnowScreenplay
- 1936Postal InspectorScreenplay
- 1936Parole!Screenplay
- 1936Fatal LadyWriter
- 1934Speed WingsScreenplay
- 1933Fury of the JungleWriter
- 1933Dangerous CrossroadsStory
- 1933Soldiers of the StormScreenplay
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