John P. Medbury

John P. Medbury (died 29 June 1947) was a humorist who wrote for newspapers and film, and did narration for several films. His most notable newspaper contribution was a regular series for the New York Journal called Mutter and Muble.[1] A 1931 edition of the Motion Picture Herald referred to him as noted humorist of Hearst paper fame.[2] He wrote comedic content for the Reservist, a newspaper produced at the San Pedro Naval Reserve Training Camp.[3]

In 1936 Medbury focused on screen writing, for MGM and Columbia studios at various times.[1] He wrote for the Amos 'n' Andy show.[4] Medbury featured in several of Walter Futter's Travelaughs (Laughing with Medbury) films – short film travelogues where he provided comedic commentary: Laughing with Medbury in Abyssinia, Laughing with Medbury in Africa (1931), Laughing with Medbury in Borneo (1931), Laughing with Medbury in Death Valley (1931), Laughing with Medbury in Mandalay, Laughing with Medbury in Reno (1931), Laughing with Medbury in Turkey (1931), and Laughing with Medbury on Voo Doo Island.[5][6]:143:144

Medbury's first wife, actress Phyllis Eltis Medbury, died in 1936.[1] He died 29 June 1947 at the age of 54 in Laguna Beach, California, of a heart attack.[1][7] He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Film Writing Credits
  • Reported Missing (1922) – titles
  • Hold 'Em Jail (1932) – radio dialogue
  • Love in Bloom (1935) – additional dialogue
  • Radio Bedtime Stories for Grownups[5]
    • "Hot and Bothered" (1930), story.[6]:139
    • "Never Strike Your Mother", story, with Eddie Buzzell.[6]:139

References
  1. "Obituary, Medbury, John P." (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 59 no. 27. 12 July 1947. p. 46. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  2. "Motion Picture Herald". Vol. 103 no. 1–4. Quigley Publishing Company. 1931. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  3. "The Reservists". Our Navy, the Standard Publication of the U.S. Navy. Vol. 12 no. 4. July 1918. p. 17. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  4. "John P. Medbury, Radio, Film Writer; Author of the Amos and Andy Show, a Former Columnist, Is Dead on Coast at 54". The New York Times. 30 June 1947. p. 19. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  5. Okuda, Ted; Watz, Edward (1986). The Columbia Comedy Shorts: Two-Reel Hollywood Film Comedies, 1933–1958. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-0577-0. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  6. Bradley, Edwin M. (14 June 2015). The First Hollywood Sound Shorts, 1926-1931. McFarland & Company. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  7. "Advertising & Selling". Vol. 40 no. 7–12. M.C. Robbins. 1947. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
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