Graham Greene

Highest Rated: 100% The Fallen Idol (1948)

Lowest Rated: 25% Saint Joan (1957)

Birthday: Oct 2, 1904

Birthplace: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, UK

A distinguished English novelist whose works were adapted into numerous acclaimed films, Graham Greene divided his books into what he labeled "entertainments" - psychological thrillers involving intrigue and espionage - and "novels," which often dealt with larger moral, religious or political themes. After his early years as a journalist, Greene commenced his writing career with The Man Within (1929) and was introduced to Hollywood when Stamboul Train (1932) was adapted into "Orient Train" (1934). He found his first success as a novelist and on screen when A Gun for Sale (1936) was made into the iconic Alan Ladd film noir "This Gun for Hire" (1942) and Brighton Rock (1938) propelled Richard Attenborough's career with a 1947 feature of the same name. Meanwhile, "The Third Man" (1949) starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles and adapted from his 1949 novel, lived on as one of the greatest film noirs ever made. In his later years, Greene's politics became highly critical of American imperialism and led to The Quiet American (1955), which foreshadowed the United States' involvement in Vietnam, and was turned into exemplary films in 1958 and 2002. Though largely dissatisfied with filmed versions of his work, Greene nonetheless saw adaptations of "The End of the Affair" (1955), "Our Man in Havana" (1960), "Travels with My Aunt" (1972) and "The Tenth Man" (1988). Greene's work assured his place as one of the 20th century's most accomplished authors.