Biography
Distinguished screenwriter David Newman is best known for his trendsetting collaborations with
Robert Benton. One of their best-known films is the classic
Bonnie and Clyde (1967), for which they received Oscar nominations. Before joining the film industry, Newman worked as a magazine writer and editor. He and Benton teamed up long before
Bonnie and together penned several screenplays and plays, such as the book for the Broadway musical It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman (1966). Newman and Benton were friends with French New Wave directors Truffaut and Godard -- the directors' influence can be seen in their screwball comedy revival piece What's Up, Doc? (1972). The two went on to write several more successful films before breaking up in the late '70s. Since then, Newman has worked alone or in collaboration with others, including his wife, cookbook author and food columnist
Leslie Newman. His subsequent films have been of wildly varying quality. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide