David Lewis

David Lewis was an American film writer and long time partner of director James Whale. They were a couple in Los Angeles from about 1930 to 1954. David was born "David P. Levy" in Trinidad, Colorado on December 14, 1903 to Phan and Fannie Levy, Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father worked in real estate insurance and was described in his WWI Draft Registration card as "tell, stout, blue eyes, brown hair". The family moved to Seattle when David was still quite young, when he was about four, and this, rather than Trinidad, would be the town that David most likely considered home. By 1930, at the age of 26, David was working in Hollywood as a writer for the studios where he met and began a relationship with James Whale, age 40. Although they did live together for a large portions of their relationship, and often spent time away from each other when either one traveled, which was frequent - they continued their relationship until James became ill in the 1950s. When James committed suicide he left a note for David, but he kept it secret until much closer to the end of his own life. David passed away March 13, 1987.

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Documents:

Newspaper Articles:

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - December 12, 1940

Irene Dunne, who was to have played Mrs. Skeffington, is tied up on other pictures and Warners are finding it impossible to wait for her. John Huston wrote the script and David Lewis, the producer, tells me [Louella Parsons] that Hall Wallis feels it's the finest scenario since "Dark Victory".

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - March 5, 1943

"Frenchman's Creek"

Paramount executives this week will look at a test made by Helen Craig, stage star of "Johnny Belinda," who is being sought for a top role in the David Lewis production of "Frenchman's Creek."

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - December 24, 1945

I [Louella Parons] AM NOT in the least sure it will do David Lewis any good to travel to Europe to try and persuade Laurence Olivier to star in "Arc de Triomphe." Anything, however, is worth trying, so David will go to London to see if he can't talk Olivier into coming to Hollywood for the first picture to be made for Charles Einfeld and David Loew. If Olivier should come here, that would mean Vivien Leigh would come with him, but it doesn't look hopeful either, because she is still a very sick girl.

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - May 9, 1946

GUESS WHO they want for Katie, the American Girl, in "Arch of Trumph"? Katherine Hempburn, if you please, and she would be wonderful as the fatally ill woman in Ravic's life. Hepburn is very interested and eager to do it because David Lewis, who is producing, is a close personal friend.

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - June 14, 1946

ONE HUNDRED thousand dollars is a lot of money and Katie in "Arch of Triumph" is a wonderful role - but Norma Shearer turned down both. Is isn't that she doesn't like the part or that it is third in the lineup to Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. Norma just doesn't think Kate is completely right for her screen comeback and she explained how she felt in a long huddle with Producer David Lewis, an old friend of her's. But it is interesting that Shearer was interested - and seems to prove that she would not turn a deaf ear to a part that would be up her street.

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - June 16, 1946

Nap Held Up, Too

HOLLYWOOD (AP) - Producer David Lewis may run overtime making "Arch of Triumph," but Napoleon had production troubles, too, Studio researchers discovered that the original Arc de Triomphe in Paris was started by Napoleon in 1806, was not completed until 1836, and Louis Philippe had to finish the job.

Syracuse Herald Journal (Syracuse, New York) - July 25, 1946

Colman and Stanwyck in "Other Love"

HOLLYWOOD - David Lewis is so anxious to get Ronald Colman for Barbara Stanwyck's co-star in "The Other Love" he's willing to postpone the starting date - and that's all right by Barbara

Census Records:

4310 Linden? Ave, Seattle, King, Washington - April 20, 1910

Surname	Given Name	Relations	Age	Years Married	Born	Father Born	Mother Born	Occupation
Levy	Phan H.	Head	32	10	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	Real Estate
Levy	Fannie A.	wife	30	10	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	none
Levy	Melvin P.	son	7	.	Utah	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	none
Levy	David P.	son	6	.	Colorado	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	none
Levy	Harrold P.	son	3	.	Colorado	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	none
Levy	Leah	daughter	19/12	.	Washington	Russ Yiddish	Russ Yiddish	none

720 22nd Ave North, Seattle, King, Washington - January 20, 1920

Surname	Given Name	Relation	Age	Immigrated	Naturalization	Born	Mother Language	Father Born	Mother Born	Occupation	Industry
Levy	Phan H.	Head	42	1892	1909	Russia	Jewish	Russia	Russia	Real Estate	Insurances
Levy	Fannie A.	wife	40	1886	1890	Russia	Jewish	Russia	Russia	none	.
Levy	Melvin P.	son	17	.	.	Utah	.	Russia	Russia	none	.
Levy	David P.	son	16	.	.	Colorado	.	Russia	Russia	none	.
Levy	Harold P.	son	12	.	.	Colorado	.	Russia	Russia	none	.
Levy	Leah	daughter	11	.	.	Seattle	.	Russia	Russia	none	.

109 Franklin St., Los Angeles, California - April 7, 1930
La Belle Tour Apartment House

Surname	Given Name	Age	Status	Born	Father Born	Mother Born	Occupation	Industry
Lewis	David	25	single	Colorado	Russia	Russia	Writer	Film Studio

Ship Manifests:

S. S. America from Los Angeles to New York - February 19-March 4, 1941

Lewis, David - 37, single
Born: Trinidad, Colorado - Dec 15, 1903
Address: Hampshire House, New York City

Whale, James - 37, single, M. Picture Director
Born: Dudley, England
Visa: 1320980 issued Wash Feb 11, 1941
Address: 788 Amalfi Drive, Pacific Palisades, Cal
Description: 5'9, gray hair, blue eyes, no marks

S. S. Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to New York - April 2-7, 1947

Lewis, David - 43, single
Born: Trinidad, Colorado - Dec 19, 1903
Address: 788 Sth. Amalfi Dr., Pacific Palisades, Calif.

S. S. Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to New York - April 19-25, 1947
[David did not embark, he had left England earlier]

Lewis, David - 43, single
Born: Trinidad, Colorado - Dec 14, 1903
Address: 788, Amalfi Dr., Pacific Palisades, Calif.