Robert Henry Buckner might be called both a "writer's writer" and what is referred to in film circles as an "old pro." Although his novels achieved only limited success, his short stories and screenplays were much praised. His stories were published by prestigious magazines and were often reprinted. Although the ability to turn a phrase does not guarantee the capacity to write visually, this talent, among others, enabled Buckner to write from his earliest days for top-budget pictures in one of the most successful and productive studios, Warner Bros., where he became a writer/producer. Buckner was good at feeling the public pulse; even in his best scripts he tended to write for the vast viewing public.

Buckner was born to a landowning family at Crewe, Virginia. While at the University of Virginia, where he took premed courses, he was editor of the college newspaper. After graduating in...