Biography
American screenwriter Gertrude Purcell entered films in 1930, when she signed a Paramount contract. Purcell later worked for Edward Small Productions (
Palooka, 1934), Columbia (
If You Could Only Cook, 1935), Goldwyn (
Stella Dallas, 1937), and Universal (
Destry Rides Again, 1939), among others. Called to testify about her alleged communist-party activities before the HUAC in 1947, she apparently hoped to salvage her career by informing on her fellow "Reds." It was to no avail: Gertrude Purcell never had another screen credit after 1950. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide