Transcript of Book Beat radio feature on Evan Hunter Don Swaim Collection (MSS #117), Mahn Center for Archives & Special Collections, Ohio University Libraries Broadcast circa June 26, 1984 Book Beat Reel 12, May-June 1984. Track #27 (Transcribed Track #27) swaim_broadcast_bookbeat_12_27_27.txt

- With Book Beat, I'm Don Swaim. Evan Hunter is the prolific author of scores of books. His first bestseller was The in 1954. His latest is Lizzie about the Lizzie Bordon murder case in Fall River, Massachusetts. And, writing under the name of Ed McBain, he also has a new mystery in the bookshops, Jack and the Beanstalk. Evan Hunter was born in what was then New York's Italian Harlem. At first, he wanted to be a comic strip artist. - When you're going to art school, you tend to see everything with a frame around it, you know? 'Cause that's what you're taught, to fill the rectangle, whatever it is, and to divide the space that way. And, I found that writing gave me a much larger canvas to fill. - It was in the Navy in 1944 that Hunter began to write. After his discharge, he went to , a girls' school which had opened its doors to veterans. You might recall this scene in the movie version of The Blackboard Jungle. - Mr., uh, Dadier? - Yes, sir. - What college did you go attend? - I believe it's right there on the form, isn't it, sir? - But, that was an all-girls school. - Yes, well, they took in veterans after the war, you see. I believe they still do. - Hunter, who was born with an Italian name insists he did not adopt the name of Hunter College as his own. - I thought Hunter suited a young man who was ambitious and searching for the Holy Grail. And, the Evan, when I was working at a literary agency there was a young man there who did some work for the agent, and he was a very bright, and handsome, and intelligent guy, and I thought, gee, that's a nice name, a nice guy, and a nice name, and I like it. And, from this day forward, it is mine.

- After the success of The Blackboard Jungle, Hunter began writing mysteries under the name Ed McBain. - It was a very closely kept secret for a long while. I would guess for about 10 years. And, no one really knew that I was Ed McBain except my publishers and my agent. At the time, it was thought best if I separated my underhanded mystery writing from the serious Evan Hunter novels. - Evan Hunter, author of Strangers When We Meet, , Love, Dad, and his latest, Lizzie, published by Arbor House. With Book Beat, I'm Don Swaim.