John L. Balderston

John L. Balderston was an American playright born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 22nd, 1889. He was best known for his work on horror and fantasy scripts. Prior to becoming a playright, Balderston served as a war correspondent in Europe during World War I. After the war, he was an editor for Outlook magazine and a correspondent for the New York World.

In 1927, he was retained by Horace Liveright to revise Hamilton Deane's stage adaptation of Dracula for its American production. His 1929 play Berkeley Square later formed the basis of the musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. His Dracula subsequently formed the basis of the 1931 film version, leading Balderston into a screenwriting career, initially for Universal Pictures horror films. In addition to Dracula, he contributed to Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, and Dracula's Daughter''.