Louis Joseph Vance (September 19, 1879 – December 16, 1933) was an American novelist, screenwriter and film producer. He created the popular character Michael Lanyard, a criminal-turned-detective known as theLone Wolf.
Louis Joseph Vance was born September 19, 1879, inWashington, D. C., the only child ofWilson J. Vance, aMedal of Honor recipient, and Lillian Beall. He was educated at theBrooklyn Polytechnic Institute. Vance was married to Anne Elizabeth Hodges on February 19, 1898. Their son, Wilson Beall Vance, was born in 1900.[1]
He wrote short stories and verse after 1901, then composed many popular novels. His character Michael Lanyard, known asThe Lone Wolf, was featured in eight books and 24 films between 1914 and 1949 and also appeared in radio and television series.
Vance moved to Los Angeles to work with Universal Pictures on films based on his work, includingThe Trey o' Hearts (1914) and a serial and film series (1914–1916) based on his Terence O'Rourke stories.[2] In 1915, he founded Fiction Pictures, Inc., a motion picture production company whose films were distributed byParamount Pictures. Its first release wasThe Spanish Jade (1915), with a screenplay by Vance based on his stage adaptation of a novel byMaurice Hewlett. Vance was president and general manager of the company; other principals wereWilfred Lucas (director-general),Gilbert Warrenton (cinematographer) andBess Meredyth (scenario editor). Fiction Pictures operated in Glendale until a new studio in Hollywood was completed in April 1915. The studio was sold to Famous Players in June, when Fiction Pictures went out of business.[3]
His bookCynthia of the Minute was adapted into a film withLeah Baird in it.
Vance died alone in his New York City apartment on December 16, 1933, in a fire that resulted from his falling asleep with a lighted cigarette.[4] His death was ruled accidental.[1][5] A simple funeral took place December 20, 1933, atSt. George's Protestant Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, with honorary pallbearers includingMarc Connelly,Will Irwin andSamuel Merwin.[5] Vance's widow received an estate of less than $10,000.[6]
The Mainspring (1917), from Vance's short story, "The Mainspring" originally published inPopular Magazine (Apr 1905), (seeLost at Sea (1926) below)[17]
Lost at Sea (1926), from Vance's short story, "The Mainspring" originally published inPopular Magazine (Apr 1905), (seeThe Mainspring (1917) above)[33]
In addition to adaptations of his novels, the following films, while not straight adaptations, were based on the characters from Vance's Lone Wolf series:
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