Patterson McNutt, writer of scenarios and short stories, died early yesterday at Beth David Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 52. He had been a newspaperman, playwright and producer before going to Hollywood.
Mr. McNutt returned to New York in 1946 after twelve years in Hollywood, where he collaborated on pictures for Fox, Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and other producers. For the last two years he had been writing short stories, seven of which were published in the Saturday Evening Post. He had spent the summer at Dallas, Pa., but returned recently and was living temporarily at The Players, of which he was a member.
Born in Urbana, Ill, the son of George L. and F. Louise McNutt, he studied at Valparaiso University, played a juvenile role with Otis Skinner in "Mr. Antonio" and served two years in the first World War with Section 511 of the United States Army Ambulance Corps with the French Armies. On returning from France he worked in the drama department of the Evening Sun, as a theatrical press agent, as motion picture editor of The Globe and then on The World as sportswriter.
In 1924 McNutt collaborated with Anne Morrison in writing "Pigs," which was produced by John Golden. The next year produced "The Poor Nut," by J.C. and Elliott Nugent, which was staged by Howard Lindsay. With Charles Coburn he produced Ibsen's "Ghosts," starring Mrs. Minni Maddern Fiske. He also produced "Cloudy With Showers," in which he took a minor part, and a revival of Noel Coward's play, "Hay Fever," with Constance Collier as star.
In Hollywood he collaborated on the screenplays "Curly Top," starring Shirley Temple, "Spring Tonic," "Way Down East," "The Gay Deception," "Everybody's Old Man," " and "The Return of Sophie Lang." Also "Vacation from Love," "Come Live With Me," starring Heddy Lamar and James Stewart, "A Gentleman After Dark," and "Jam Session." He also wrote complete scripts ready for production for independent producers. A recent picture was "Pardon My Past," in which he collaborated with Harlan Ware and was associate producer with Fred McMurray, who also starred in the picture.
Surviving are his widow, the former Mildred M. Coughlin, artist and illustrator; a son, Bradford Hale, a junior at Princeton; and a daughter, Mrs. William Donegan, Jr., of New London, Conn.
New York (New York) Times, October 24, 1948.