WBMT Literary, Film and Television is the exclusive representative for the Literary Estate of George Clayton Johnson.
George was the creator of “Ocean’s 11” and the first aired episode of the original Star Trek series. He is also considered a master of the short story form, authoring now classic “Twilight Zone” episodes for Rod Serling, who mentioned him (along with Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont) as one of his “writing gremlins” while giving his acceptance speech for winning an Emmy.
Logan’s Run and Star Trek
He is perhaps best known as the co-author of the science-fiction novel “Logan’s Run” with William F. Nolan and scripting the first-aired episode of the original Star Trek series entitled “The Man Trap”. He also collaborated with Ray Bradbury to create the Academy Award nominated film, Icarus Montgolfier Wright.
Ocean’s 11
Around 1956-’57, George created the story beginning with a 40,000 word attempt at a novel. During this time he asked his friend Jack Golden Russell, a former WWII paratrooper, if he could add ideas of authenticity to the story, later crediting him for his contributions to the story. Mr. Johnson then thought of approaching the story as a screenplay. Under the name “George Johnson”, he solely authored the script on which the 1960 and 2001 films “Ocean’s Eleven” were based. The story and screenplay were optioned to Peter Lawford and his wife, Patricia Kennedy (sister of the future President John F. Kennedy) in 1957. This was indeed the first story and screenplay George Clayton Johnson ever created.
The Twilight Zone
George’s contribution of classic television scripts for “The Twilight Zone” including (“Nothing in the Dark”, “Kick the Can”, “A Game of Pool” “A Penny for Your Thoughts”) remain fan favorites of Rod Serling’s visionary series.
George retained all story rights to his creations.
“L.J. Dopp painted “The Fictioneer” for George Clayton Johnson’s birthday, incorporating visual references to George’s most famous TV and movie work. The only reward Dopp wanted was the thrill of seeing the expression on George’s face when he saw it for the first time.” File770.com. (2015.)
