Garrett Elsden Fort

Born : June 5, 1900 - New York, USA

Died : October 26, 1945, Los Angeles, California, USA

Nationality : American

Film Industry

 

Courtesy of Lord Meher, Vol.6-7 : Bhau Kalchuri Courtesy of Lord Meher, Vol.6-7 : Bhau Kalchuri
"I am God, the supreme Liberator, and if you knew what strides you have been making toward Liberation by the trials through which you have been going since you left me, you would be overcome with gratitude instead of filled with discontent.

"It is true, I use the circumstances of everyday life to Liberate my devotees, but I use them in a way that is beyond the the comprehension of the intellect. So you must not expect me to provide you with blueprints of my plans, either individual or universal.

"Have faith in me, supreme faith. I am always with you, directing you as my own vehicle, my own son. Whatever is accomplished in all that you do or do not do is always my will.

"You are an instrument in my divine orchestra, an instrument which I need, but which must be Perfected. I shall never fail you, nor will you fail me. You must continue to be brave as you have been."


Meher Baba, 1940s, India, from a letter
to Garrett Fort, LM6 p2141

MSI Collection : Nasik, India - Garrett wearing white hat on right side MSI Collection : Nasik, India - Garrett wearing white hat on right side
MSI Collection ; India MSI Collection ; India
MSI Collection ; Nasik, India 1937 - Garrett is in the front, standing on the far left MSI Collection ; Nasik, India 1937 - Garrett is in the front, standing on the far left
MSI Collection MSI Collection
MSI Collection ; Nasik, India 1937 MSI Collection ; Nasik, India 1937
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Garrett Elsden Fort

Garrett Fort with Meher Baba, Nasik, India 1937
Born June 5, 1900(1900-06-05)
New York City, New York
Died October 26, 1945 (aged 45)
Los Angeles, California
Occupation Playwright, Screenwriter
Nationality United States
Genres Drama, Horror

Garrett Elsden Fort (June 5, 1900 - October 26, 1945) was an American short story writer, playwright, and Hollywood screenwriter. He was also a close follower of Meher Baba.

Fort made his screenwriting debut with the silent film, One of the Finest (1917). Early in his career, Fort co-wrote the Broadway play Jarnegan (1928), based on the novel by Jim Tully.[1] Fort's first talkie effort was the ground-breaking Rouben Mamoulian production Applause (1929). In 2006 Applause was recognized as a culturally, historically and aesthetically significant film by the National Film Registry.[2]

Fort was adept at alternating horrific highlights with bits of unexpected humor.[3] As a screenwriter he is best remembered for his work on the original screen adaptations of such horror/melodramas as Frankenstein (1931), Dracula (1931), Dracula's Daughter (1936), and The Mark of Zorro (1940).[4]

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[edit] Spiritual life and demise

Garrett Fort became deeply interested in the spiritual path and was a devotee of Indian guru Meher Baba whom he met in Hollywood in 1934. He worked with Mercedes de Acosta to develop a screenplay based on Baba's philosophy. Fort eventually traveled to India in 1937 to continue the screenplay. However, he became depressed and returned to America. Upon returning he found it difficult to find profitable work and died penniless in a Hollywood hotel room in 1945 of an overdose of sleeping pills.[5] Fort remained in contact with Meher Baba until the end of his life and was included in Meher Baba's list of deceased male followers that Baba had a disciple read out to him in 1967.[6]

[edit] Selected filmography