| James Kevin McGuinness | |
| Birth Date: | 20 December 1894 |
| Birth Place: | Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland |
| Death Place: | New York City, New York, U.S.A. |
| Yearsactive: | 1927–1950 |
James Kevin McGuinness (December 20, 1894 - December 4, 1950) was an American screenwriter and film producer. He provided testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee which led to the Hollywood blacklist in 1947.
McGuinness was born on December 20, 1894, in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland,[1] and immigrated to New York in 1904.
McGuinness was one of the earliest editors and contributors at The New Yorker magazine; in the March 14, 1925, issue, he profiled the boxer Jack Dempsey and continued to contribute pieces (nonfiction, fiction, and poetry) until 1927.[2] He relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1920s, at the dawn of the "talkies" era, and thereafter worked in the film industry as a writer and producer. He wrote for 36 films between 1927 and 1950. He eventually became chief supervisor and executive producer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
In 1947, along with fellow screenwriter Jack Moffitt, he testified against others suspected of Communist leanings in Hollywood for hearings associated with the House Un-American Activities Committee, which led to the Hollywood blacklist.[3]
McGuiness died in New York on December 4, 1950, from a heart attack.
| width=25% | Title | Year | First published | Reprinted/collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bob ballad : modes | 1925 | McGuinness, James Kevin . March 7, 1925 . [<!--accessdate=--> A Bob ballad : modes ]. The New Yorker . 1 . 3 . 18 . | ||
| Supper club lights | 1925 | McGuinness, James Kevin . May 23, 1925 . [<!--accessdate=--> Supper club lights ]. The New Yorker . 1 . 14 . 6 . | ||