Louis Pollock, motion picture, television, and radio writer and motion picture advertising and publicity executive, was born in Liverpool, England, on February 16, 1904. His family emigrated to Montreal, Canada when he was eleven months old in January 1905. They moved to New York City in 1916 where Louis Pollock attended P.S. 171 and P.S. 30; he eventually finished high school in Trenton, New Jersey.
Pollock began his career in 1925 as a reporter and rewriteman on the staff of the Chicago City News Bureau, the American Weekly, and the Chicago Herald and Examiner. He then did public relations work for Balaban and Katz Theaters from 1930-1933. From 1933 to 1937, Pollock publicized various theatrical ventures including a Mexican exhibit at the Chicago World Fair, a Sally Rand theatrical tour, and Cleveland Exposition Theatrical Company tour. In 1937, he became Universal Studio's eastern advertising and publicity manager. During his association with this studio Pollock helped publicize celebrities such as Deanna Durbin and the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and arranged special promotions to advertise Universal's films. In 1943, he became the director of advertising and publicity for United Artists; however, he resigned the following year to devote all of his time to his writing career.
Pollock worked on several radio shows such as Prudential Family Hour, Philip Morris Playhouse, Duffy's Tavern, The Groucho Marx Show, and The Life of Riley. His motion picture credits include Prison Window (Paramount, 1943), Port Said (Columbia, 1948), The Jackie Robinson Story (United Artists, 1950), Suicide Attack (Classic Pictures, 1951), and The Gamma People (Columbia, 1956). In addition, Pollock was a successful writer of fiction, publishing numerous short stories and articles. His book Stork Bites Man (World Publishing Co., 1945) sold over 100,000 copies and was later adapted to a motion picture, starring Jackie Cooper (United Artists, 1947).
Pollock's writing career continued to grow until 1954 when, inexplicably, the studios began to reject his scripts. It was not until five years later that he learned, through a conversation with a friend, that a man named Louis Pollack had appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee and his name ultimately appeared on a Hollywood blacklist. Although their occupations, political views, and names were different, Pollock was mistaken for Pollack by the motion picture industry, and this effectively halted his screenwriting career. He sought and was granted a full clearance by the committee in 1959, but never regained his earlier success. During the 1960's Pollock turned to submitting his works under the assumed name Joe Madison. Programs for which he wrote include The Richard Boone Show and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
He died on August 23, 1964, leaving his wife Cleta, and two sons, David and Dan.
