Biography
University of Minnesota graduate Arthur Sheekman rose to prominence in the 1920s and early '30s as a Manhattan newspaper columnist and drama critic. Sheekman entered films as one of the scenarists for the
Marx Brothers'
Monkey Business (1931), thereby launching a lifelong friendship with
Groucho Marx. In addition to providing gags for the Marxes' subsequent
Duck Soup (1933), Sheekman also scripted the Groucho-Chico radio series Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel, and ghosted several of Groucho's books, including Beds and Many Happy Returns. While working on the 1933
Eddie Cantor musical
Roman Scandals (1933), Sheekman met his future bride, actress
Gloria Stuart, with whom he remained married until his death. His later screenwriting assignments included Joe E. Brown's
The Gladiator (1938),
Danny Kaye's
Wonder Man (1945), and the
Bing Crosby vehicles
Welcome Stranger (1947) and Mr. Music (1950). Arthur Sheekman's last film credit was 1961's
Ada. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide