Lennart, Isobel

Abstract

This entry provides a biographical sketch of Hollywood screenwriter Isobel Lennart (1915–1971), a contract writer at Metro Goldwyn Mayer starting in the early 1940s. She was a member of the Young Communist League from 1939–1944 but ultimately ended her party affiliation after becoming disenchanted with the movement. She was called to testify by the House Un‐American Activities Committee and appeared as a friendly witness, a decision she later said she regretted. Twenty‐nine of her scripts were made into films many of which were popular and critical successes. Her filmography includes Anchors Aweigh , Love Me or Leave Me , The Inn of the Sixth Happiness , Please Don't Eat the Daisies , The Sundowners , Period of Adjustment , and Two for the Seesaw . Her work was recognized with a number of awards and honors. She was almost exclusively a film writer, but her biggest hit came on the Broadway stage with the 1964 musical Funny Girl . The production propelled then 21‐year‐old Barbra Streisand to star status. Many of her stories involved accomplished women and their challenging romantic relationships, a narrative that played out in Lennart's own life.