Michael Arlen (Armenian: Մայքլ Արլեն; November 16, 1895 – June 23, 1956), born Dikran Kouyoumdjian, was an Armenian essayist, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and scriptwriter, who had his greatest successes in the 1920s while living and writing in England. Although Arlen is most famous for his satirical romances set in English smart society, he also wrote gothic horror and psychological thrillers, for instance "The Gentleman from America", which was filmed in 1956 as a television episode for Alfred Hitchcock's TV series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Near the end of his life, Arlen mainly occupied himself with political writing. Arlen's vivid but colloquial style "with unusual inversions and inflections with a heightened exotic pitch", came to be known as Arlenesque.Very much a 1920s society figure resembling the characters he portrayed in his novels, and a man who might be referred to as a dandy, Arlen invariably impressed everyone with his immaculate manners. He was always impeccably dressed and groomed and was seen driving around London in a fashionable yellow Rolls Royce and engaging in all kinds of luxurious activities. However, he was well aware of the latent suspicion for foreigners mixed with envy, with which his success was viewed by some. Sydney Horler (1888–1954), another popular author of the time, is said to have called Arlen "the only Armenian who never tried to sell me a carpet", while Arlen half-jokingly described himself as "every other inch a gentleman".
Appointment for Murder, The Falcon's Adventure, The Falcon's Alibi, The Falcon's Brother, Outcast Lady, A Woman of Affairs, The Dancer of Paris, The Ace of Cads
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Quote
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My forebears were successful crooks living on the slopes of Mount Ararat.
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Fact
1
Author of satirical novels about English high society who enjoyed his greatest popularity during the 1920's. He was the youngest of five children born in Bulgaria into a family of Armenian import merchants. In England from 1901.
2
Wrote regular columns for The Tatler during World War II.
3
Settled in New York in 1946.
4
Was educated in England.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Le Chapeau
2011
inspired by the book "The Green Hat" by
The Jazz Age
1968
TV Series novel - 1 episode
The Liars
1966
TV Series stories - 1 episode
The Unforeseen
1958
TV Series story - 1 episode
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1956
TV Series story - 1 episode
Adventures of the Falcon
1954
TV Series creator - 1 episode
Suspense
1950
TV Series story - 1 episode
Search for Danger
1949
character
Appointment with Murder
1948
character
The Fatal Night
1948
story
Devil's Cargo
1948
based on a character created by
The Falcon's Adventure
1946
based on the character created by
The Falcon's Alibi
1946
based on the character created by
The Falcon in San Francisco
1945
based on the character created by
The Falcon in Hollywood
1944
based upon the character created by
Mrs. Parkington
1944
uncredited
The Falcon in Mexico
1944
based on the character created by
The Heavenly Body
1944
screenplay
The Falcon Out West
1944
based on the character created by
The Falcon and the Co-eds
1943
based on the character created by
The Falcon in Danger
1943
based upon the character created by
The Falcon Strikes Back
1943
based upon the character created by
The Falcon's Brother
1942
based upon the character created by
The Falcon Takes Over
1942
based upon the character created by
A Date with the Falcon
1942
based upon the character created by
The Gay Falcon
1941
from a story by
The Golden Arrow
1936
story
Outcast Lady
1934
from a book by
Lily Christine
1932
novel
These Charming People
1931
play "Dear Father"
A Woman of Affairs
1928
from a story by / novel "The Green Hat" - uncredited