Oliver H. P. Garrett's life story begins on March 6, 1894, in the historic city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he was born to Legh Osborn Garrett, a renowned efficiency expert, and Alice Palmer Garrett, a remarkable businesswoman who not only operated a company importing exotic goods from India and the Far East but also selflessly served with the YMCA in France during the tumultuous First World War. Tragedy struck when Garrett's father passed away in 1899, leaving a lasting impact on the young boy.
As he grew older, Garrett's passion for writing led him to pursue a career in journalism, working for newspapers in Boston and New York, and eventually contributing engaging stories to various magazines. His writing talents eventually took him to the glamorous world of Hollywood in 1927, where he would go on to achieve great success and recognition.
Garrett's most notable achievement was winning the prestigious Academy Award, shared with Joseph L. Mankiewicz, for best screenplay for the iconic film Manhattan Melodrama (1934). Furthermore, he played a significant role in the development of the Screenwriters Guild, serving as a founding member and two-term vice president.
Tragedy struck again on February 22, 1952, when Garrett suffered a fatal heart attack during a shopping trip in New York City. He left behind a legacy, remembered by his loving wife and three sons.
