THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER: The Ephron Family - WRITERS all.

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It is not usual for families to bring forth more than one gifted writer. It's highly unusual for an entire family to become prolific, albeit award winning, in the writing field.

When I think of a family of writers, the most obvious [to me] would be the Brontë Sisters from England - Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848) and Anne (1820-1849). The women continue to be regarded, to this day, as great fiction story writers. Sadly, only Charlotte experienced 'fame' during her own short lifetime. The Brontë's work was originally published under male pseudonyms - Currer, Acton, and Ellis Bell. (If that seems to be a curiosity, research women's rights and the morality of publishing prior to the 19th century.)

While researching Episode 110 - THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (including IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME and YOU'VE GOT MAIL), I came across a present day family of successful writers! Nora Ephron, together with sister Delia were the co-writers for YOU'VE GOT MAIL. Nora also served as director, producer for the hit film.

The real coincidence (for those of you not familiar with the Ephron family) is that Nora and Delia's parents, Phoebe and Henry Ephron, are well known former playwrights for the stage and screen. Their Hollywood screen credits add up to nearly twenty films between 1944 - 1963. 

Phoebe (1914-1971) and Henry Ephron (1911-1992)
  
Films written by Phoebe and Henry Ephron:
THREE IS A FAMILY
BRIDE BY MISTAKE
BELLES ON THEIR TOES (sequel to CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN - not an Ephron film)
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS
DADDY LONG LEGS
CAROUSEL (Henry, also the producer)
DESK SET (Henry, also the producer)
TAKE HER, SHE'S MINE (Broadway play, later made into a film)
CAPTAIN NEWMAN, MD 
THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW. (Phoebe, 1972-1973)

Phoebe and Henry with their four daughters. 
Hallie (1948), Delia (1944), Amy (1952), and Nora (1941-2012)

Nora, Amy, Delia and Hallie (standing)

Nora - screenwriter, producer, director, journalist, playwright, author
Film credits as writer include:
SILKWOOD
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY [Oscar, best screen play] 
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
JULIE AND JULIA
Delia - screenwriter, NY Times Best Selling Novelist, producer
Films [co written with Nora]include:
HANGING UP
MICHAEL
MIXED NUTS
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
Novels written for adults and teenagers [some of which include]:
The Girl With the Mermaid Hair
Hanging Up
How to Eat Like A Child
Siracusa
Hallie - NY Times Best Selling Author of domestic suspense,
Journalist, Crime fiction book reviewer for the Boston Globe
Novels include:
Careful What You Wish For
You'll Never Know Dear
Night Night, Sleep Tight
There Was An Old Woman
    
Amy -  Screenwriter, producer, novelist,
writer for The Electric Company television series,  non broadcast editor
at the Children's Television Workshop, developing/producing
toys and games for Sesame Street
Novels include:
A Cup of Tea
Loose Diamonds
White Rose
Children's books include:
Castle in the Mist
The Other Side of the Wall
Carnival Magic
THE SECRET GARDEN - Film Producer  

                Ephron Family (1963)



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