The future writer Sheldon Sidney was born in Chicago in 1917, in the family of a Jewish jeweler. Interestingly, his grandparents were from the Russian Empire, from where they immigrated shortly before the birth of a grandson, fearing Jewish pogroms.
Screenwriter career
Sheldon Sidney from an early age dreamed of becoming a writer. His first poems were published in a local newspaper when the little boy was only 10 years old. Since the late thirties, he worked in Hollywood, where he wrote numerous scripts for low-budget films.
These were films not designed for great popularity. Often such pictures were shown as the second number in the then popular double sessions, when films A and B were in a row. Here Sheldon Sidney worked in the favorite genre of the detective.
Broadway and TV Series Jobs
With the outbreak of war in Europe, the aviation unit becomes the new place where Sydney Sheldon lands. The books he dreamed about were postponed until later. However, he never managed to be in battle. In 1941, part of it was disbanded. After military service, the screenwriter goes to New York. Here he successfully writes for productions on Broadway. At the same time, his scripts are bought by large film studios.
In 1963, he agreed with actress Patti Duke that he would write a script for each episode of her show. In the three seasons that this program went on, Sheldon became very popular. In addition, he wrote for famous sitcoms. His last work on television was the script for several episodes of the film "Spouses Hart." It was his favorite detective genre, where a wealthy couple engaged in criminal investigations as a hobby.
Literary success
However, real world fame came after Sheldon published his first novel. Most of them became bestsellers thanks to the twisted plot and talent of the writer. Films based on Sidney Sheldon’s novels were successfully shown in movie theaters. To date, twenty-five have been shot. For his services to American cinema, the writer received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His name thundered not only in his native States, but throughout the world. The author’s books have been translated into more than five dozen languages. Books such as The Flipside of Midnight and Nothing Lasts Ever Especially Frequently Reprinted. Sidney Sheldon is known as a very prolific author. He wrote 19 books, each of which came out with a regularity every 2-3 years.
"Tear off the mask"
The first novel of the former screenwriter was released in 1970 and was called “Tear Off the Mask” (in the original “The Naked Face” - “Naked Face”). The plot focuses on a psychoanalyst named Judd Stevens. One of the patients in his clinic is found dead, and the doctor is suspected of murder. However, he is not guilty and is trying to prove his innocence by conducting his own investigation. In the end, he has to do this, hiding from both the police and the mysterious killer.
In 1984, the film adaptation of the detective was released. In Russia, she is also known under a different name - "Face without a mask." The main role was played by Roger Moore, previously known for his role as secret agent James Bond.
The flip side of midnight
This is Sheldon's most commercially successful novel. He was released in 1973 and secured the success of the author's debut book. The authoritative New York Times put The Flip Side of Midnight on the first line of its bestseller list for 52 consecutive weeks after publication. In 1977, the book was filmed.
From the pages of the work, the reader learns about the fate of the love triangle, in which two women and the pilot are drawn. History has been developing for 8 years and covers the era of the Second World War.
"Stranger in the mirror"
In 1976, the reading public enthusiastically greeted the writer’s third novel, The Stranger in the Mirror. It was a story about the world of actors, where the focus of attention was the popular comedian Toby, who made a career on the ability to make people laugh.
However, over time, he becomes arrogant and uncontrollable. His character changes dramatically after a tragic stroke, when only actress Jill remains next to him. The story of a despot, faced with real feelings, made the writer a recognized master of a romance novel, whereas before that he was known only for his detective stories.
Anger of Angels
This novel, published in 1980, has two common Russian names given by different translators. This is “Anger Fury” and “Anger of Angels”. Sidney Sheldon again twists the plot around the young heroine. Now this is lawyer Jennifer Parker. Her brilliant career is developing against the backdrop of the same personal life. She has two lovers, whose life is radically different from each other. One is a promising politician. The other is an influential mafia. This triangle ties up a sharp plot, which does not allow to come off for a second.
The success of the paper edition made it possible in 1983 to make the film Anger of Angels. Sidney Sheldon was the author of the script to adapt his work on the big screen. However, the story told on the screen is not very different from the book version. The main role was played by the famous actress Jacqueline Smith, known for the TV series Charlie's Angels.
Three years later, a remake of the tape was released, the script for which was also written by a famous author.
"The sands of Time"
This bestseller appeared on store shelves in 1988. He must be mentioned when considering films based on Sydney Sheldon's novels. The film was made in the United States four years later in a two-part format. Actresses Amanda Palmer and Deborah Ruffin played in it.
The plot takes the reader (or viewer) to Spain. At this time, the country was shocked by the attacks of radicals from the ETA party, demanding independence for the autonomous region of the Basque country. When the army manages to get on the trail of criminals, the chase begins, which leads the soldiers to the convent. Servants are evacuated, but four of them run away to the mountains, taking with them a local relic - an ancient cross made of gold.
There, women stumble upon those same Basque separatists. The group agrees to move together further. They want to get to the next monastery, where they will finally have a refuge. The detachment is divided into several companies, each of which goes its own way, so as not to attract the attention of the police. Everything is going well, but soon conflicts between fellow travelers will develop into an open quarrel. In addition, they cannot share the precious crucifix that can be sold profitably.
In the end, one of the runaways named Megan falls in love with the separatist leader Jaime. She manages to escape to the United States, where relatives left her a large inheritance. She becomes an entrepreneur, but after a few years she finds out that her longtime Spaniard lover fell into the hands of the authorities and will soon be executed. A woman goes to Europe. She manages to bribe the prison staff, and she and the bridegroom flee back to the States.
So ends the novel “Sands of Time”. Sidney Sheldon believed that this is one of his best works.
Shattered Dreams
Schizophrenia is a theme that the novel "Shattered Dreams" touches on. Sidney Sheldon published the book in 1998 on the wave of his own success after previous works. His heroine Ashley Petterson has two friends who are actually part of her imagination.
The girl is distinguished by a closed character. She is a complete introvert and a workaholic spending all her free time at work. Her "girlfriends" appear at her work. Their communication is not set due to the fact that the two strangers are not at all like Ashley. Against this background, a woman develops a persecution mania. This is a favorite trick that Sheldon Sidney uses all the time.
Ashley calls the police because of her fears. However, after this, the servant of the law is mysteriously killed. The same thing happens with a few more people. The evidence suggests that the same person is involved in the crime. Investigators find out that Ashley is to blame for the murder. She is being arrested and here, finally, it turns out that the woman has a psychological disorder, because of which she seems to have two “friends”. So the plot of the novel "Shattered Dreams" unfolds sharply. Sidney Sheldon sends his heroine to a psychological clinic, where the plot is decoupled.
Interestingly, the original title of the book, “Tell me your dreams,” actually translates as “Tell me your dreams.”
Popularity and death
Sidney detectives are especially popular among women. The author himself explained this by the fact that most of his central characters are girls. The last in 2005 was the autobiography “The Reverse Side of Success,” written by Sidney Sheldon. The author’s books often bear the imprint of personal experiences.
The writer died in 2007, after a short struggle with bilateral pneumonia. He did not live two weeks before his 90th birthday.