Louis M. "Deke" Heyward (born Louis Mortimere Horowitz, June 24, 1920 – March 26, 2002) was an American producer and film and television screenwriter.

Life and career Born in New York City to Henry Horowitz and Rose Klein, Jewish immigrants from Hungary, Heyward intended to become a lawyer but started writing radio scripts part-time. He attended New York University and Brooklyn Law School. He then served in the United States Army Air Forces for six years. In 1942, he was a lieutenant stationed at Midland Army Flying School in Midland, Texas and was a bombardier instructor."Miss Sylvia Block, Lt. Horowitz Marry", San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas, fifteenth year, number 181, 30 July 1942, page 5. In May 1943, he transferred to the bombardier school at Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas."Transfers Made At Midland Air Field", San Angelo Standard-Times, San Angelo, Texas, sixteenth year, number 111, 21 May 1943, page 11.

After serving in the Army Air Forces, he resumed writing for radio while working at Associated Press. He changed his last name to Heyward in 1946.

In 1947 he was appointed head of television and radio at Mogul.Advertising News and Notes: Joins Lennen & Mitchell As Plans Board Member, The New York Times, 10 November 1947: page 36.

Writer After he changed his name, he became a full-time comedy writer, providing scripts for eight seasons (1950–1958) of The Garry Moore Show. He also wrote material for The Ernie Kovacs Show, eventually becoming head writer for that series and winning a Sylvania Award for comedy writing. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1957.Television Picks Award Nominees: Colorcast Gives Public Industry Choices for Programs and Players Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times, 17 February 1957: page 1A.

Heyward wrote scripts for Winky Dink and You, a children's show hosted by Jack Barry that ran on CBS from 1953 – 1957, that was created by Harry Prichett and Edwin Brit Wyckoff. The show is considered one of the first interactive TV shows.Obituary at Chicago Tribune 8 April 2002 accessed 27 February 2014

He worked on The Dick Clark Show (1960) as a writer and producer.Teen-Agers' Dreamboat: Richard Wagstaff Clark, The New York Times, 5 March 1960: page 40.

American International Pictures In the early 1960s, Heyward relocated to Los Angeles and worked various executive positions at 20th Century Fox, Music Corporation of America, and Four Star Television. His production experience at Fox and MCA and his proven penchant for comedy was noticed by James H. Nicholson of American International Pictures who asked Heyward if he was interested in writing a comedy for the studio.

Heyward's first credit for American International Pictures was Pajama Party (1964), one of many Beach Party films made by the company. Heyward would subsequently write several more similar teen-themed AIP comedies, as well as horror films and science fiction thrillers. His best known work includes Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine. Heyward also began to be involved on the production side of things for AIP.Tide Running Out for Beach Films, In for Protest Movies Thomas, Bob. Los Angeles Times 12 Feb 1966: b7.When in Rome, Don't Give Up: Schizophrenic Roman Holiday Champlin, Charles. Los Angeles Times 26 June 1966: b1.

Head of American International Pictures London In 1966, Heyward was made AIP's Director of Overseas Productions, and set up a London-based office of operations in 1967. He produced several European and British films from 1967 to 1972, all co-financed by AIP with Heyward maintaining a degree of control over the various productions in order to ensure the movies were suitable for release in both the U.S. and European markets. In this capacity, he assisted in the production of some of AIP's most critically acclaimed and profitable films of that period, including Michael Reeves's Witchfinder General (1968), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972), all starring Vincent Price. He left AIP in 1972.HEYWARD, HESSLER TO FILM 'NURSES' Variety; Los Angeles Vol. 268, Issues 11,

Later years with Four Star International and Hanna-Barbera After his AIP days, Heyward served as Vice President of Development for Four Star International while it was led by David Charnay.Obituary at Variety 7 October 2002 accessed 28 January 2017 While Heyward was with Charnay, he gained the vital leadership experience and contacts to then become a Senior Vice President for Hanna-Barbera,Obituary at Variety 4 April 2002 accessed 26 February 2019 where he was in charge of live programming and movies of the week.Obituary at Sun Sentinel 4 April 2002 accessed 27 February 2014Agronsky to Host Political Series Margulies, Lee. Los Angeles Times 15 April 1977: g29.

After his time with Hanna-Barbera, Heyward became vice president in Charge of Development for Barry & Enright Productions, a game show and TV-movie production company run by Jack Barry and Dan Enright. He served as Executive Producer of the company's popular Tic Tac Dough.

Personal life Heyward died of pneumonia on March 26, 2002, in Los Angeles.

He was survived by a wife, Sandra, children Patti and Andy, and three grandchildren, Robert, Michael, and Bianca."Heyward's way", C21 Media 17 April 2012 accessed 27 February 2014 Andy was known as the chairman and chief executive officer of animation studio, DiC Entertainment, until its June 20, 2008, acquisition by and subsequent folding into Cookie Jar Group."Heyward's way", C21 Media 17 April 2012 accessed 27 February 2014

Select filmography The Garry Moore Show (1950s) (TV series) - writer Winky Dink and You (1950s) (TV series) - writer The Ernie Kovacs Show (1950s) (TV series) - writer, producer The Big Fun Carnival (1957) - writer, producer 77 Sunset Strip (TV series) - writer The Dick Clark Show (1959) (TV series) - producer Pajama Party (1964) - writer War Gods of the Deep (1965) - writer Sergeant Deadhead (1965) - writer Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965) - writer Planet of the Vampires (1965) - writer Spy in Your Eye (1965) - executive producer, writer Die, Monster, Die!(1965) - producer (uncredited) The Wild Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot (1965) (TV special) - writer, producer War Italian Style (1965) - executive producer Bang! Bang! You're Dead! (1966) producer _uncredited) Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966) - writer, producer The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) - writer The Glass Sphinx (1967) - writer, producer Those Fantastic Flying Fools (1967) - producer (uncredited) House of 1,000 Dolls (1967) - executive producer Witchfinder General (1968) - producer, writer additional scenes The Crimson Cult (1968) - producer, writer Rio 70 (1969) - producer (uncredited) The Oblong Box (1969) - executive producer Horror House (1969) - producer (uncredited) De Sade (1969) - executive producer Scream and Scream Again (1970) - executive producer The Vampire Lovers (1970) - associate producer (uncredited) Cry of the Banshee (1970) - producer Wuthering Heights (1970) - executive producer Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1970) - executive producer Dagmar's Hot Pants (1971) - writer The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) - producer Murdes in the Rue Morgue (1971) - producer Dr. Phibes Rises Again (1972) - producer Tales of the Haunted (1981) (TV movie) - writer Tic Tac Dough (1990s) (TV series) - producer

Productions Made While Executive in Charge of Production at Hanna-Barbera Yabba Dabba Doo! The Happy World of Hanna-Barbera (1977) - documentary The Gathering (1977) (TV movie) All-Star Comedy Ice Revue (1978) (TV special) Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (1978) Legends of the Superheroes (1979) (TV series) C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979)

Novels Grandpa and the Girls (1960)Misadventures Highlight Two Tales With Eccentric Heroes Armour, Richard. Los Angeles Times 21 Feb 1960: H6. My Son the Doctor (1963)Books Today: Fiction General New York Times 3 Oct 1963: 32.

References

External links

Louis M. Heyward at BFI Louis M. Heyward at TCMDB