This astonishingly prolific, though not very literary writer, produced many books or stories on which films were based. These include one about a girl, some puppets, and a misanthrope; one about an unusual cat; one about a doomed baseball player; and one about a disaster involving a certain "reversal." Who was this author, and what are the films I've described?

rlaj	I believe Stephan King is the writer. The stories you describe sound like various short stories he has written, except Firestarter. May 11 06, 4:48 PM

lanfranco

I'm sorry, rlaj, not even close. Concentrate on "reversal." May 11 06, 4:53 PM

MaggieG 5

Paul Gallico wrote 'The Poseidon Adventure', 'Three Lives of Thomasina', 'Love of Seven Dolls' and one about Lou Gehrig. I used to quite enjoy his books, literary or not. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gallico May 11 06, 5:08 PM

lanfranco

A yay to you, Maggie! Gallico began as a sportwriter and wrote the book about Lou Gehrig on which "Pride of the Yankees" was based. His story/novel "The Man Who Hated People" (aka "Love of Seven Dolls") became the film "Lili" and the Broadway musical "Carnival!" in which Jerry Orbach starred. "Thomasina" was my favorite Disney film, mostly because I had a crush on Patrick McGoohan; and, of course, "The Poseidon Adventure" has just been remade. As Maggie's site points out, Gallico is best known for his story "The Snow Goose." But I'm rather fond of "Flowers for Mrs. Harris," titled in the U.S. as "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris." May 11 06, 5:23 PM

rlaj	I wouldn't go so far as to say not even close. I thought it mostly fit but I should have known it would not be that easy. May 11 06, 9:16 PM