Mary C. McCall Jr. paved the way for women in Hollywood screenwriting

Vassar graduate and feminist pioneer Mary C. McCall Jr. reshaped Hollywood by fighting for screenwriters’ rights and leading the Screen Writers Guild.

Mary C. McCall Jr. and Dorothy Arzner in 1936. (c) McCall-Bramson

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

In an era when women were rarely seen behind the camera, Mary C. McCall Jr. paved the way for women in Hollywood screenwriting by asserting both her creative voice and her political will. Born into privilege and educated at Vassar, McCall's life was far from typical. She chose not to rest on her elite upbringing but instead built a career as a successful screenwriter, feminist, and labor activist in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

From publishing short stories in The New Yorker to penning scripts for films like Craig’s Wife (1936) and the fan-favorite Maisie series (1939–1947), McCall brought sharp wit, intelligence, and a woman’s perspective to a male-dominated industry. Yet her most enduring legacy lies beyond the screen: in the annals of Hollywood labor history.

A pioneer in both art and activism

Mary C. McCall Jr. wasn’t just an artist. She was a fierce advocate for writers’ rights. As J.E. Smyth’s recent biography recounts, McCall made history by becoming the first female president of the Screen Writers Guild, the forerunner of today’s Writers Guild of America.

During the 1930s and ’40s—a turbulent period for labor unions—McCall was instrumental in securing formal recognition for the guild from the National Labor Relations Board. This landmark certification forced producers to negotiate directly with the guild rather than through the less aggressive company union, the Screen Playwrights.

This pivotal victory helped elevate screenwriting from an expendable task to a respected creative profession. It also solidified McCall’s reputation not only as a brilliant writer but as a fearless political figure.

As fellow screenwriter William Ludwig once said, “Mary wasn’t a radical of the Right or of the Left. She was a radical about writers . . . about their right to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Breaking barriers with the pen

Before her activism turned Hollywood politics on its head, McCall had already achieved notable success as a screenwriter. Her ability to capture the emotional complexity of female characters set her apart. The Maisie films, in particular, starred Ann Sothern as a tough-talking, street-smart woman who handled adversity with wit and charm—reflecting McCall’s own tenacity.

Her scripts didn’t just entertain; they offered something subversive for the time—a feminist undercurrent. At a moment in cinema history when women were typically sidelined, McCall wrote them back into the frame with boldness and clarity.

This narrative power helped her rise in a Hollywood that was still uneasy about women in positions of authority. But McCall never sought approval—she sought progress.

Personal independence in a complex life

McCall’s personal life was as unconventional as her career. Her first husband, Dwight Franklin, was a renowned costume designer and artist who worked on major productions like The Black Pirate (1926) and The Buccaneer (1938). The couple shared an open marriage, a rare and controversial arrangement for the time.

Yet despite her independence, McCall’s second marriage to David Bramson—a charismatic but abusive publicist—reflected the same contradictions many women face: how to preserve their power in the face of emotional manipulation. He drained her financially and emotionally, but never robbed her of her sense of purpose.

Even when money became scarce, McCall's drive to protect the rights of writers and her belief in her own worth remained unshaken. Her dignity became her currency.

Fighting for a fairer Hollywood

Mary C. McCall Jr. didn’t just champion her own career—she worked to create opportunities and protections for other writers, especially women. She understood that labor rights were essential to creative freedom. Without fair contracts and job security, no writer—man or woman—could produce work with integrity.

Her leadership helped pave the way for the collective bargaining power that screenwriters now have through the Writers Guild of America. The very act of fighting for a voice in negotiations meant fighting for recognition that writing was not just a side profession but a pillar of cinema.

As writer-producer Charles Brackett observed, McCall “was the most ardent and the most effective” of the anticommunist members of the guild. Though she stood firmly against communism, her commitment to solidarity among writers remained strong.

She was complex—never easily boxed into ideological corners—and always focused on the bigger picture: empowering writers.

A legacy still felt today

In many ways, Mary C. McCall Jr. paved the way for women in Hollywood screenwriting by doing what few dared to do at the time—demanding a seat at the table and refusing to give it up. Her courage laid the groundwork for today’s screenwriters, who continue to benefit from the institutional protections she helped secure.

Thanks to her efforts, future generations of writers, particularly women, found greater opportunities not only to write but to lead. Her influence extends beyond her screenplays and into every labor agreement signed by today’s television and film writers.

She wasn’t just a feminist or a labor leader. She was a woman of principle, artistry, and action. And while she may not be a household name, her impact is woven into the fabric of Hollywood itself.

Remembering McCall in a new light

Historian and film critic J.E. Smyth’s biography finally gives McCall the spotlight she deserves. Smyth's work reintroduces readers to a woman who never accepted invisibility, even when the system encouraged it. Instead, McCall wrote her own story—on screen, in boardrooms, and through political action.

Her life was a balancing act between privilege and purpose, personal heartbreak and public achievement. But in every chapter, McCall remained the author of her own destiny.

To read about McCall is to understand what it means to live with conviction. Her story is not just Hollywood history—it’s a guidebook for resistance, resilience, and radical hope.