John Monk Saunders Director - Born November 22, 1895 in Hinckley, Minnesota, USA

Died March 11, 1940 in Ft. Myers, Florida, USA (suicide)

Mini Bio (1) John Monk Saunders was born on November 22, 1895 in Hinckley, Minnesota, USA. He was a writer and director, known for The Dawn Patrol (1930), Wings (1927) and The Docks of New York (1928). He was married to Fay Wray and Avis Hughes. He died on March 11, 1940 in Ft. Myers, Florida, USA.

Fay Wray (15 June 1928 - 1939) (divorced) (1 child) Susan (Later adopted by her 2nd husband)

Avis Hughes (1922 - 1927) (divorced) (first wife)

Fay Wray's first husband and father of their daughter, Susan.

American novelist and screenwriter of the 1930's, the son of a prominent federal attorney. He was educated in Seattle at the University of Washington and later became an Oxford Rhodes Scholar. In the early 20's, he worked as a reporter for the New York Tribune. Saunders had a special affinity for aviation, at one time dreamed of becoming a fighter ace. He had served in the Air Service during World War I as a flight instructor in Florida, but to his chagrin never saw action in France. However, he had a successful stint in Hollywood as a writer on aviation themes, beginning with Wings (1927). His life was eventually cut short due to alcohol abuse and dissolution.

Personal Quotes (1) [on winning an Academy Award for _Cimarron (1930)_]: This is indeed a crazy business where I'm being sued for plagiarism on one hand and given the statuette for originality on the other.

The Legion of the Condemned (1928) $12,000

The Dawn Patrol (1930) $10,000

John Monk Saunders (November 22, 1895 – March 11, 1940) was an American novelist, screenwriter, and film director.

Personal life Saunders was married to Avis Hughes (1922–27). Later he married actress Fay Wray (1928–39). Friend Gary Cooper served as his best man. John and Fay had a daughter, Susan Cary Saunders (Riskin).

In 1934 Saunders was involved in a well publicised fist fight with the actor Herbert Marshall.

Death Under contract and working night and day, he struggled with alcoholism, addiction and depression. Despite care by a nurse from Johns Hopkins hospital, Saunders hanged himself at a Fort Myers, Florida, beach cottage on March 11, 1940.